Abstract: An apparatus for initiating a welding arc during a welding process includes a power circuit to provide a welding power to a power output, a background circuit to provide a background power to the power output to maintain the welding arc during the arc-starting process, and a controller. The background circuit provides a background voltage to the power output of the welding device and detects when the motion control device has touched the electrode to the workpiece. Upon detection of a short circuit, the controller starts a timer, and enables the power circuit to provide a steady state, or DC, flow of output current to the power output for a predetermined time period to heat both the electrode and the workpiece to lower the start current needed to form the welding arc. The time period may vary depending on the electrode and the workpiece being used.