Parts of a Plasma Cutter – Torch and Consumables Labeled

All 14 parts on the diagram

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The whole system 7

Power source It turns the supply from the wall into the cutting current. Makers call it the power source or the power supply.
Amperage control knob It sets the cutting current, in amps.
Power switch The on/off switch for the power source.
Air filter and regulator The filter cleans the compressed air and the regulator sets its pressure. The cutter runs on compressed air or another gas.
Torch cable It joins the torch to the power source. One maker calls it the torch lead.
Work cable It joins the work clamp to the power source. That gives the cutting current a path back. Also called the work lead.
Work clamp Fixed to the workpiece on clean bare metal, close to the cut.

The torch and its consumables 7

Torch handle The body of the hand torch. The torch cable comes in at one end and the consumables fit on the other.
Trigger Pulling it starts the air and the pilot arc. The cutting arc follows when the torch is at the metal.
Electrode The arc starts from its tip. It wears away with use and is replaced.
Swirl ring It sits round the electrode, inside the nozzle. It is checked for blocked side holes.
Nozzle (tip) Gas is blown through its hole at high speed, toward the metal. It wears like the electrode. One maker calls it the tip.
Retaining cap It screws onto the torch. It holds the nozzle, swirl ring and electrode in place. Also called the retaining cup or shield cup.
Shield It lets the torch end be dragged along the metal while cutting. Makers also say drag shield.

How this list was compiled: Every name checked on 2026-09-30 and kept only where at least two independent sources use it. (1) A maker's hand plasma system operator manual, full text at https://archive.org/details/manualzilla-id-5823008 : power supply, ON/OFF (power) switch, amperage adjustment knob, pressure regulator, gas filter, torch lead, work lead, work clamp, torch handle, trigger; consumables shield, retaining cap, swirl ring, nozzle, electrode. (2) A second maker's owner's manual, https://archive.org/details/manualzilla-id-7310925 : power source, power switch, amperage, air filter/regulator, torch cable, work cable, work clamp, trigger; drag shield, retaining cup, tip, swirl ring (with side holes), electrode. (3) A third maker's two manuals, https://archive.org/details/manualsonline-id-2fcbed10-c688-4a46-aae6-44042b40f32b and https://archive.org/details/manualsbase-id-648547 : power source, output current knob, regulator, torch cable, work cable, work clamp, torch handle, torch head, trigger; electrode, swirl ring, nozzle, retaining cap or shield cup, drag spacer. (4) Wikipedia, Plasma cutting, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plasma_cutting : electrode, nozzle, torch head, the pilot arc between electrode and nozzle, both of them consumable. Licence: own work

The drawing: Drawn for this site on 2026-09-30 from plain geometry; no maker's machine, nothing traced. Licence: own work

How it works

A hand plasma cutter is a power source, a torch on a cable and a clamp for the metal. Here is the whole system, then the torch with its five consumables laid out in the order they go on.

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How the parts make a cut

Compressed air comes in through the filter and regulator. When the trigger is pulled, air flows and a pilot arc forms inside the torch between the electrode and the nozzle. The air blows the plasma out through the nozzle, and at the metal the arc passes to the workpiece, which the work clamp and work cable join back to the power source.

The order of the consumables

Electrode first, then the swirl ring round it, then the nozzle. The retaining cap screws on to hold those three, and the shield goes on the end.

Makers use different names for the same piece: nozzle or tip, retaining cap or shield cup, shield or drag shield.
The electrode and nozzle wear away with use, which is why they are called consumables.

Questions and answers

What are the parts of a plasma cutter?

A power source with a power switch and an amperage knob, an air filter and regulator, a torch cable, a work cable with a work clamp, and the torch: handle, trigger, electrode, swirl ring, nozzle, retaining cap and shield.

What are the consumables on a plasma cutter?

The pieces on the end of the torch that wear and are replaced: the electrode, swirl ring, nozzle, retaining cap and shield. The pilot arc forms between the electrode and the nozzle, which wears both.

What order do plasma cutter consumables go in?

From the torch outward: electrode, swirl ring, nozzle, retaining cap, then the shield. The retaining cap is what holds the first three in place.

What does the work clamp on a plasma cutter do?

It clips onto the metal being cut and, through the work cable, joins it to the power source, so the cutting current has a path back. It goes on clean bare metal, close to the cut.