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Heavy Duty Equipment Technician Red Seal Exam Prep · Question

When setting up a plasma arc cutting (PAC) system, what is the primary purpose of the pilot arc?

The pilot arc creates a small, high-voltage arc between the electrode and nozzle within the torch, ionizing the gas to create a conductive path that allows the

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Question: When setting up a plasma arc cutting (PAC) system, what is the primary purpose of the pilot arc?

Answer options:

  • To preheat the material before the main cutting arc starts. ✅ To ionize the gas and establish a conductive path for the main cutting arc.
  • To clean the cutting area of contaminants.
  • To provide a controlled current limit for the main power supply.

Correct answer: To ionize the gas and establish a conductive path for the main cutting arc.

Explanation: The pilot arc creates a small, high-voltage arc between the electrode and nozzle within the torch, ionizing the gas to create a conductive path that allows the main cutting arc to transfer to the workpiece once current is applied.

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