Abstract: Methods and system of the present invention include hot-wire welding system used in combination with arc welding systems, where the welding system initiates an arc clearing routine in hot-wire welding system. The arc clearing routine includes detection of an arc and then skipping a complete pulse of the hot-wire waveform and initiating the next pulse to determine is consumable separation still exists. Follow-on pulses are repeatedly initiated until it is determined that consumable separation does not exist, at which time the hot-wire operation is continued.