FIELD: methods and equipment providing ignition of arc and its stable burning. SUBSTANCE: method comprises steps of applying to arc gap voltage corresponding to voltage of arc burning and adding to it voltage value corresponding to voltage of ignition and stable burning of arc; setting arc burning voltage in dependance upon selected mode of welding and without dependance upon demanded electric current; setting booster voltage depending upon electric current. Apparatus includes bridge-type single-phase rectifier 2,3,4,5 whose input is connected with common terminal of initial alternative current source 1 and with its one outlet and whose outlet is connected with arc gap. First leading wires of two capacitors 7,8 are connected to common terminal, their second leading wires are connected respectively with outlet of bridge type rectifier. Common terminal of capacitors 7,8 is connected with second outlet terminal of source 1 through electric current regulator 9. EFFECT: enhanced stability of electric welding process, reduced electric power consumption due to optimization of ignition process and stabilizing arc burning process. 5 cl, 3 dwg
