Direct current electrode positive, also called reverse polarity, with the electrode connected to positive and the work to negative. With most stick electrodes it gives deeper penetration, and it is standard for GMAW and most gas-shielded flux core. DCEN, or straight polarity, puts the electrode negative and concentrates heat in the work, which is why GTAW of steel runs DCEN and some self-shielded flux-cored wires require it.
Your leads are swapped, that wire wants DCEP and you're running it straight, look at the spatter.
Also heard as
- DC+
- reverse polarity
- DCRP
Related terms
SMAW
Shielded metal arc welding: arc welding with a flux-coated consumable electrode, known in the shop as stick.
GMAW
Gas metal arc welding: a continuously fed wire electrode shielded by gas, known in the shop as MIG.
GTAW
Gas tungsten arc welding: an arc from a non-consumable tungsten electrode under inert gas, known as TIG.
Arc blow
A DC arc pushed sideways off the joint by unbalanced magnetic fields in the work, making the bead wander.