What is the heat distribution with DCEN welding current?

• A. Electrode absorbs 1/3 of the heat; Work absorbs 2/3.
• B. Electrode absorbs 2/3 of the heat; Work absorbs 1/3.
• C. Electrode absorbs 1/2 of the heat; Work absorbs 1/2.
• D. Both electrode and work absorb equal amounts of heat.

Answer: (A)

With DCEN, the electrode is negative and the workpiece is positive, so the arc delivers more heat to the workpiece than to the electrode. In practice, about two-thirds of the heat goes into the work and about one-third into the electrode. This happens because the workpiece as the anode absorbs more energy, while the electrode (a smaller, often water-cooled part) tends to stay cooler and loses heat less to the surroundings. So the heat distribution aligns with the electrode taking roughly one-third and the workpiece about two-thirds. If you reversed the polarity (DCEP), the balance would shift and the electrode would absorb more heat. The other options don’t reflect how polarity affects where the arc energy is deposited.