Abstract: An arc welding control system wherein the welding current is held to a very low value during the time a welding electrode is coupled with a workpiece. When the welding electrode is disengaged from the workpiece, a very low current pilot arc is established. Then, arc voltage monitors effect, first, an increase in the current of the pilot arc and then the closing of a welding current contactor. Both shielded metal arc welding and gas tungsten arc welding modes are accommodated; and, in the latter, when a too low arc voltage condition is detected, arc voltage monitors effect the opening of the welding current contactor for such time as the too low arc voltage condition exists. While the welding current contactor is open, a low current pilot arc is maintained until the too low arc voltage condition is corrected.