Hold time in the spot weld cycle is defined as:

• A. Time during which current is flowing
• B. Time between application of pressure and start of current flow
• C. Time during pressure has ceased after current flow has ceased
• D. Time between release of pressure and start of next weld cycle

Answer: (C)

Hold time is the interval after the welding current has been turned off during which electrode pressure is still applied. This allows the molten nugget to solidify and form a strong bond under pressure before the electrodes separate. It’s different from weld time, which is the period when current is flowing, and from pre-load or pre-press time, which occurs before current is applied, or from the dwell after pressure release before the next cycle.