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Questions buyers ask when choosing, fitting and looking after replacement consumables for this style of plasma cutting torch.
A typical plasma torch consumable stack has an electrode, a nozzle, a swirl ring, a retaining cap and usually a shield. The electrode carries the current and wears with every arc start. The nozzle shapes and constricts the arc. The swirl ring spins the gas around the electrode, and the retaining cap holds the parts together.The shield protects and cools the other parts, especially the nozzle, from molten spatter. Some torches combine several of these parts into a single cartridge, so check your torch manual for the exact layout.
Start with the torch and power source data plate and the maker's consumable chart in the manual. Consumables are made for a specific torch design, so a part that looks similar may not seat, seal or carry the current properly.Match the part to the amperage you will cut at. Low-amperage parts should not be used for high-amperage cutting, or the other way round, because the orifice size and cooling are designed for a particular current range. If the chart is unclear, our team can help you identify the part from the torch type.
Electrodes have a small insert at the tip that wears into a pit as you cut. Some pitting is normal, but once it reaches the maker's limit the arc can damage the copper body and the torch can be harmed quickly. Some makers set the limit by cutting current, so use the figure in your manual. Replace the nozzle at the same time as the electrode.Other warning signs are a wandering or unstable arc, hard starting, and needing to slow down to get through the metal.
A shield sits at the front of the torch and protects the nozzle from molten spatter and double arcing. On hand torches, a shield also lets you rest the torch on the plate and drag it along the cut, which keeps the standoff consistent.Unshielded parts need a controlled standoff and may give slower speeds, more dross and shorter nozzle life. On machine torches that sense the plate surface by electrical contact, a special conductive shield and retaining cap are usually needed, so check the maker's chart before ordering.