Functional Purpose
The electrode holder is connected to the welding cable. Its primary jobs are:
Conductivity: Passing the electrical current from the welding machine to the electrode.
Angling: The internal grooves in the jaws usually allow the electrode to be held at different angles (like 45°, 90°, or 180°) to reach various joint positions.
Safety: Providing a safe, insulated interface for the welder to manipulate the arc.