inverter ark welder - Which is positive ?

[Hesstondriver]

the stickers have fallen off my cables , (i dont normally remove) them, is the rod positive & earth negative ?

 

[davidroberts30]

usually yes,unless the rods require reverse polarity

 

[Hesstondriver]

usually yes,unless the rods require reverse polarity

Great thanks , i thought id answerd my own question : Earth = -ve . but wanted to check

 

[TripleSix]

You can connect the other way around.

Electrode on the negative terminal.

Gets more heat into the workpiece.

 

[Blackleg]

When manual metal arc welding, which electrode polarity should I use?

While mainly about MMA welding, polarity is discussed for a range of arc welding processes.

www.twi-global.com

 

[aidan]

You can connect the other way around.

Electrode on the negative terminal.

Gets more heat into the workpiece.

yes this is more correct as best I am aware

google DCEN.

 

[clbarclay]

Would they still weld okay and be less likely to melt through thin sheet then if connect positive to electrode?

 

[Bury the Trash]

Would they still weld okay and be less likely to melt through thin sheet then if connect positive to electrode?

With 6013 rods at least, ...the theory is actually that DCEN is better for thin mild steel , less chance of burning through.
Try it and see.
Makes a bit of difference ime but of course if it means theres less ' fire in the hold ' so to speak ( less penetration) as the opposite, so on thicker stuff dont forget to change back to electrode positive.unless it's the likes of a root pass whereby dcen would be better to use first.

Mig - welding forum.co.uk is worth a visit and search, theres good info on all types of welding there, not just mig.