Variable polarity (VP) arc welding is known as an effective solution for aluminum thanks to the cleaning effect, which means oxide removal, during the DCEP (direct current electrode positive) period. In this research, VP GTAW (gas tungsten arc welding) is adopted for lap joint fillet welding of 3mm thickness 5052 aluminum alloy. Various welding currents and DCEP duty cycles are applied as welding conditions with a fixed welding speed to investigate the influence of DCEP characteristics on weld bead formation. Results show a tendency of higher heat input for higher DCEP duty cycle, which result does not follow conventional arc theory because it is known that DCEN (DC electrode negative) polarity is more efficient for heat input than is DCEP. This phenomenonhas recently been reported by several VP-GTA researchers and is still controversial because the mechanism of oxide removal is not yet clear except for the previous, well-known idea of "ion bombardment", which cannot explain the situation. Finally, proper usage conditions for VP-GTAW are suggested; then, further, related theoretical topics in the field of cathode physics are brieflyintroduced.