The power source supplies the electric current to the electroplating circuit. This current gets into the plating solution via the positive electrode.
For a better understanding of electroplating, consider the gold coating scenario. In this case, the aim is to deposit a layer of gold onto a piece of jewelry. As expected, the metal jewelry or any other substrate will be at the negative electrode and the gold at the anode. The two electrodes remain immersed in the electrolyte. Next, the DC power supply is subjected to the anode, and oxidization starts.
With the current, the process can reduce dissolved metal cations and form a layer on the negative electrode. Gold metal ions are reduced to metal atoms during the chemical reaction. Gold atoms oxidize and dissolve into the electrolyte as they are deposited on the electrode in the form of a thin layer.