Abstract: An electronic welding current generator for impulse arc welding, having a power component that is controllable by electric lead parameters which are preselected by way of electronic circuits, whereby during pulsed operation (T) a higher generator pulse current (I.sub.p) or a higher generator pulse voltage (U.sub.p) is produced during the pulse phases (t.sub.p) and a lower generator bass current (I.sub.G) or generator base voltage (U.sub.G) is produced during the base phases (t.sub.G). On the basis of the U.sub.p -I.sub.G modulation, the pulse voltage (U.sub.p) is controlled during the pulse phases (t.sub.p) and the base current (I.sub.G) is controlled during the base phases (t.sub.G). During the base phased (t.sub.G), the base voltage is measured at selected times, the measured value (E) stored and updated after each pulse period (T), whereby the updated measured value (E) of the base voltage (U.sub.G) is obtained in direct proportion to the real, active length (LL) of the arc.