What is the consequence of an excessively high welding current during SMAW?

An excessively high welding current during Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) generates more heat than necessary for proper welding. This excess heat can lead to burn-through, especially on thinner materials, where the base metal can melt away completely, creating holes. Additionally, higher current increases the rate of electrode melting, which can cause excessive spatter as the molten metal is ejected from the weld pool. The combination of burn-through and spatter negatively impacts weld quality and can require more cleanup or rectification work afterward.

While the other options address legitimate concerns associated with improper welding parameters, they do not directly correlate with the specific effects of high current. For example, while undercuts, incomplete fusion, and shallow weld penetration can occur, they are typically linked to issues related to low current or improper travel speed rather than being specifically indicative of excessively high current scenarios.