MMA Electrode & Amperage Chart — Rod Sizes, Amps, Polarity

The chart every stick welder pins to the wall. Match the rod to the amps, set the polarity, weld. Print this page A4 — it's formatted for it.

Electrode size → amperage range

Rod Ø (mm)	Amp range	Typical plate	Common use
1.6	30–55 A	1–2 mm	Thin sheet, tacking
2.0	50–75 A	2–3 mm	Light repair
2.5	70–110 A	3–5 mm	General workshop
3.2	100–150 A	5–8 mm	Rebar, structural — the UAE workhorse size
4.0	140–200 A	8–12 mm	Heavy structural
5.0	190–260 A	12 mm+	Heavy plate, industrial

Electrode type → polarity & character

Electrode	Polarity	Character
E6013 (rutile)	DC− or AC	Easy arc, all-position — the general-purpose rod
E7014	DC either / AC	Iron-powder, smooth & fast on clean steel
E7018 (low-hydrogen)	DC+ preferred	Strong, crack-resistant — structural & code work; keep rods DRY

Three rules that save welds

1. Amps too low = sticking rod, tall cold bead. Amps too high = spatter, undercut, burn-through. Start mid-range, adjust 5–10 A at a time.
2. E7018 lives in a dry box. Damp low-hydrogen rods crack welds — in UAE humidity this matters double.
3. Arc length ≈ rod diameter. Longer arc = porosity.

Machines that run these rods all day

Every rod above runs on the 555 ARC 250 GT (250A, 220V — AED 1,375) up to 5.0 mm. For continuous 100%-duty work on 380V: 555 MMA 400G (AED 3,000). WhatsApp for the printable PDF + today's machine prices.