Emission spectra from plasma arc welds were observed under a variety of current, voltage, polarity, and standoffs. If reverse polarity (welding torch positive) welds are struck below 50 amperes most of the power is deposited at the electrode rather than the workpiece because of low carrier density within the arc. Straight polarity, on the other hand, suffers no such limitation because of electrons created in the pilot arc used to start the weld process.