Abstract: The invention pertains to a method for arc welding with a consumable electrode and with high deposition rates, wherein an alternating current is applied between the electrode and a work piece in order to generate the arc, wherein the alternating current has a current waveform that repeats itself after one period, and wherein the current waveform has at least one positive phase that is divided into at least one positive high-current phase and into at least one positive basic current phase and at least one negative phase within one period. According to the invention, the positive basic current phase is applied within the period after the positive high-current phase and a diffuse arc burns in the negative phase. In this case, it needs to be observed that the positive basic current phase is sufficiently long.