Finding the difference between reverse and straight polarity.

AC_DC_logoWhen you see the letters AC/DC on your welder, do you think of one of your favorite rock and roll bands? Seriously though, the difference is quite important to the final quality of your welds.

AC (Alternating Current) and DC (Direct Current) is used to describe the polarity of the electric current that the welder generates and in what direction it travels. If you use the wrong polarity for a certain welding rod, your weld strength will not be very good.

The general terms associated with polarity are reverse polarity and straight polarity. These are common to the welding trade. Another way to describe the two terms are electrode positive and electrode negative. Electrode positive is the same as reverse polarity. Electrode negative is the same as straight polarity. Hence the + and the – written on your welder where the cables connect to it.

Any type of welding rod you buy will be labeled as to what polarity should be used for welding with it. Using the correct polarity will ensure the proper penetration and the over all look of the final bead.

If you use the wrong polarity you can tell by the signs. There will be an excessive amount of spatter, you will have bad penetration, and you will have less control of your arc.

Some welding machines have a switch to adjust the polarity. If your welder doesn’t have one you will need to switch the welding cables around where they plug into the machine. If you want reverse polarity, you need to make sure the electrode holder is plugged into the + terminal.

The easiest way to tell if you are using the wrong polarity is by the sound and the feel of the weld you are laying down. If you don’t have much experience with stick welding you will have a little more trouble determining the difference. I have seen guys weld all day long with the wrong polarity. Then I would grab their welder to use for couple of minutes and I could tell right away. It all comes down to experience.

If you don’t have much experience stick welding, you will need to double check the way the machine is set up. Follow what the welding rod package tells you to do and do it. If you are using 7018 rods, you will want to make sure it is set up for reverse polarity.