The arrangement of direct current arc welding leads in which the electrode is the negative pole and workpiece is the positive pole of the welding arc. See Figure D-5 (A).

For DCEN, the welding electrode (whether consumable or non-consumable) in an arc welding circuit is caused to be negative relative to the workpiece by the arrangement of the welding leads. Electron flow is to the workpiece, with most (about 70%) of the heat available from the electric arc concentrated at the workpiece.

Straight Polarity. The term straight polarity has been used to describe this type of current, but the more accurate and standardized description is direct current electrode negative