Cooling tube for a plasma arc torch and spacer

The invention relates to a cooling pipe for a plasma arc torch, comprising a hollow cylindrical electrode body having a central internal core, at the front end of which an electrode core holder having an electrode core inserted therein is arranged, and a hollow cylindrical cooling pipe which is inserted into the internal bore in a sealing manner and which features an internal bore that form a cooling channel as a feed and, in the intermediate space between the outer circumference of the internal bore and the inner circumference of the electrode body, forms a cooling channel formed as a return, wherein the cooling pipe has, on the inner side thereof that is facing the electrode core holder, space-maintaining means (e.g. a spacer washer or wires or rods), which are suitable to rest on the front end of the electrode core holder.