Can a Pilot Arc Torch Be Used on a Non-Pilot Arc Machine?

Can you swap a torch between a pilot arc and a non-pilot arc plasma cutter, and what are the consequences? Will the torches work or not or if the machine overheats? This video will discuss pilot arc vs non pilot arc plasma cutter and what could happen if we do a plasma cutter pilot arc torch swap. So simply, the question is, can you use a pilot arc torch with a non pilot arc machine?

Plasma cutters, for your info, are designed to produce plasma by utilizing electricity as the source of energy and air as the fuel. Thus the machines gather electricity and sucks up air or oxygen from an air compressor while the torche serves as the tools for converting these energies into plasma.

When it comes to swapping the torch, it doesn’t matter what torches you will use on a plasma cutter because this will still produce plasma. In other words, to answer the question, can you use a pilot arc torch with a non pilot arc machine, the answer is “Sometimes”.

To show you clearly that a torch swap can be successful, this video will also tell you how it’s done because it’s not simply that you detach and attach the torches’ accessories to the machines as you know because the pilot arc torch has an extra wire that’s connected to the pilot arc plasma cutter. But that can be easily resolved if you watch this video.

Another question I usually get about pilot arc vs non pilot arc plasma cutters is the use of their consumables. And again, it is not only plasma cutter pilot arc torch swap that is very possible but also their use of consumables which means even if you swap the cutting tips, nozzles or electrodes of the torches, these will still work on both pilot arc and non-pilot arc plasma cutters ( But only certain brands i use cheaper chineses brands.

The only difference with the torches when it comes to consumables is their ceramic caps because the pilot arc torches require that the ceramic cap is a bit longer and have a circular dent around its base to secure the standoff guide in place.