Controlling plasma arc torches and related systems and methods

The application relates to controlling plasma arc torches and related systems and methods. In some aspects, methods for preserving a usable life of a plasma arc electrode consumable installed in a plasma arc torch can include measuring a characteristic of an electrical signal being providedto the torch to generate a plasma arc between the torch and a workpiece to be processed; monitoring the characteristic during operation of the torch over a time period; comparing the characteristic to a threshold value; and responsive to determining that a measured characteristic meets and/or exceeds the threshold value, initiating an arc extinguishing sequence to preserve the life of the electrode. 本申请涉及控制等离子体电弧炬以及相关系统和方法。在一些方面中，用于保持安装于等离子体电弧炬中的等离子体电弧电极消耗品的可使用寿命的方法可包含测量正提供到所述炬以产生所述炬和待处理的工件之间的等离子体电弧的电信号的特性；在所述炬的操作期间在一时间段内监测所述特性；将所述特性与阈值进行比较；和响应于确定测量的特性符合和/或超过所述阈值，起始电弧熄灭序列以保持所述电极的所述寿命。