In the transferred arc process, what is considered part of the electrical circuit?

In the transferred arc process used in plasma arc cutting, the workpiece is a crucial component of the electrical circuit. In this setup, the electrical arc is initiated between the electrode of the cutting torch and the workpiece, making the workpiece an integral part of the circuit that completes the path for current flow.

When the arc is established, the plasma jet created by the arc melts the material of the workpiece, resulting in cutting. Therefore, without the workpiece, there would be no current passing through, and as such, it would disrupt the functioning of the arc. The ability of the workpiece to conduct electricity is essential for the transferred arc process to operate effectively, thus emphasizing its role as part of the electrical circuit in this cutting technique.

The power source provides the voltage and current necessary to sustain the arc, the cutting torch generates the plasma but does not complete the circuit without the workpiece, and the control panel manages the settings and parameters but does not directly participate in the electrical pathway of the arc.