What do you call an SMAW arc welding machine that has DC compatibility?

An SMAW (Shielded Metal Arc Welding) arc welding machine that has DC compatibility is best referred to as a transformer rectifier. This type of machine is specifically designed to convert alternating current (AC) from an electrical power supply into direct current (DC), which is essential for certain types of welding processes that require a stable and consistent arc.

The transformer rectifier uses a transformer to step down the voltage and a rectifier to convert the resulting AC to DC. The DC output provides smoother arc characteristics, enhances arc stability, and allows for the use of a wider variety of electrodes, which is particularly beneficial for welding applications in structural steel.

While other options listed may also involve components related to welding machines, they do not specifically denote a device designed to provide DC compatibility in the context of SMAW. For example, an AC generator typically produces only alternating current, while a rectifier unit may refer to the component that performs the conversion but does not necessarily include the transformer used for voltage adjustment. A welding inverter, on the other hand, usually refers to a more modern technology that also converts power but does so with high frequency and efficiency, differentiating it from the traditional transformer rectifier setup.