What is plasma arc cutting (PAC) used for?

What is plasma arc cutting (PAC) used for?

• A. Used to cut, pierce and gouge metal by hand or a mechanized operation
• B. Used to measure voltage in circuits
• C. Used to weld metal
• D. Used to polish metal surfaces

Answer: (A)

Plasma arc cutting uses a plasma torch to create a very hot, electrically conductive plasma jet that melts metal and blows the molten metal away, allowing fast, precise cutting. The arc forms between an electrode in the torch and the workpiece, and the gas flowing through the torch is ionized into plasma. This focused heat and high-velocity jet enable not only cutting along a line but also piercing through metal and gouging to remove material or clean up welds, whether done by hand or with machinery. The other options describe functions unrelated to this process—measuring voltage, welding, or polishing—so the best description is that plasma arc cutting is used to cut, pierce, and gouge metal.

Plasma arc cutting uses a plasma torch to create a very hot, electrically conductive plasma jet that melts metal and blows the molten metal away, allowing fast, precise cutting. The arc forms between an electrode in the torch and the workpiece, and the gas flowing through the torch is ionized into plasma. This focused heat and high-velocity jet enable not only cutting along a line but also piercing through metal and gouging to remove material or clean up welds, whether done by hand or with machinery. The other options describe functions unrelated to this process—measuring voltage, welding, or polishing—so the best description is that plasma arc cutting is used to cut, pierce, and gouge metal.