Arc welding method and arc welding arrangement with first and second electrodes

An arc welding arrangement comprising:

• a first power source,
• a first wire feeder for feeding a first electrode,
• a second wire feeder for feeding a second electrode,
• an electric arc welding head comprising:
• a first contact device housing a first duct for guiding the first electrode and providing electrical contact between the first power source and the first electrode, and
• a second contact device housing a second duct for guiding the second electrode and providing electrical power to the second electrode,
• the first and second contact devices being electrically insulated from each other, the first electrode being adapted to act on a work piece for generating a weld pool via a first electric arc formed between the first electrode and the work piece within a first arc region and the second electrode being adapted to act on the work piece for generating the weld pool via a second electric arc formed between the second electrode and the work piece within a second arc region,
• wherein the first electrode is adapted to be operated at welding parameters adapted to maintain the first electric arc ignited and transfer molten electrode material from the first electrode to the weld pool;
• wherein the second electrode is adapted to be operated at welding parameters adapted to ensure that excess energy from at least the first electrode is required to maintain the second electric arc ignited and transfer molten electrode material from the second electrode to the weld pool;
• and
• wherein the first and second ducts are arranged such that the second electrode is allowed to consume excess energy from the first electrode to ignite and maintain the second electric arc ignited and transfer molten electrode material from the second electrode to the weld pool.