Which statement about FCAW power supply configuration is true?

• A. It typically uses constant voltage (CV), with constant current (CC) as a less common option
• B. It only uses constant current (CC)
• C. It must be pulsed
• D. It uses alternating current (AC) with modulation

Answer: (A)

FCAW welding relies on a power source that keeps a steady arc length by holding the arc voltage constant. A constant voltage (CV) supply does this well, while the wire feed speed controls the current automatically to maintain the arc as you weld. This setup gives stable welding with a consistent bead across different positions and metal thicknesses. Using constant current (CC) is not the typical configuration for FCAW; it’s more common in other processes or specific, less general cases. Pulsing isn’t required for FCAW—the process can be done with steady CV, though some advanced setups may offer pulsed options for heat control. AC with modulation isn’t the standard practice here, since FCAW commonly runs on DC with CV behavior. So the common configuration is CV with CC as a less common alternative.