POWER SAVING SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ISOLATION CIRCUITRY IN A VOLTAGE SENSING ACCESSORY

Systems and methods are disclosed for controlling isolation circuitry in a welding device based on one or more power characteristics. In particular, a power supply and a welding wire feeder are provided to support both arc welding and gouging operations. To ensure power at an output power terminal is available only during periods of operation, isolation circuitry is provided in the wire feeder. The isolation circuitry is operable to create a path between a input power temiinal and an output terminal during an arc welding and/or gouging operation, and to electrically or physically disrupt the path between the input power terminal and the output power terminal during an idle or standby mode.