Contact-tube distance is the dimension between the bottom edge of the contact tube and the melting workpiece surface. When this distance becomes too great, the electrical resistance in the wire-electrode stick-out rises, consequently reducing the welding current and the penetration depth. Trouble also occurs when one moves the contact tube too close to the weld pool. To stop the occurrence of such problems, a close look should be taken on the relationship between the contact-tube distance and the wire-electrode stick-out.