Arc welding control system for a manual torch

Claim 1

An arc welding control system including a manually operated torch having both a nonconsumable electrode and a consumable electrode, the improvement comprising: a source of line voltage; a power supply circuit having an AC output connected in circuit relation with said consumable electrode and a workpiece and a DC output connected in circuit relation with said nonconsumable electrode and said workpiece; a single manually operated switch having a first position and a second position; first relay means electrically connected to said switch and being energized when said switch is in said first position; contactor means responsive to the energization of said first relay means for electrically coupling said power supply circuit to said source of line voltage; second relay means electrically connected to said first relay means and being in circuit relation with said nonconsumable electrode, said second relay means being responsive to a predetermined magnitude of current flow through said nonconsumable electrode for providing an alternate energization path for said first relay means to maintain power to said electrodes; and consumable electrode feed means responsive to said switch being in said second position while power is supplied to said electrodes for driving said consumable electrode toward said workpiece whereby said switch controls both said consumable electrode feed means and the application of power to said consumable electrode and nonconsumable electrode respectively.