Electrical stickout is the length of the wire from the end of the contact tip to the work, and visible stickout is the length of the wire from the end of the nozzle to the work. The contact tip is recessed about 1/4" for maximum protection and should not extend beyond the insulated extension guide (self shielded) or nozzle (gas shielded). The electrical stickout is longer for self shielded FCAW electrodes than it is for gas shielded FCAW electrodes. With gas shielded FCAW wires, an electrical stickout of 3/4" to 1-1/4" is usually recommended, depending on the type of nozzle, and with the various self shielded FCAW wires, electrical stickouts can range from 3/4" to 3-3/4". A longer electrical stickout increases the deposition rate by preheating the wire before it is melted at the arc, and at a given rate of wire feed speed a shorter electrical stickout results in deeper penetration.