The intense heat at the electrode tends to melt off the end of the electrode and contaminate the weld. Hence, for any given current DCRP requires a larger diameter electrode than DCSP. For example, a 1/16" diameter tungsten electrode normally can handle about 125 amperes in a straight-polarity circuit. However, if reverse polarity is used with this amount of current the tip of the electrode would melt off. Consequently a 1/4" diameter electrode would be required to handle 125 amperes of welding current.