Systems and methods for measuring voltage and current within a welding torch

A welding or plasma cutting torch, comprising:

• a training switch disposed within a body of the welding or plasma cutting torch to close in response to selection of a live-arc weld training operation in a weld training mode to provide a welding or plasma cutting current to the welding or plasma cutting torch;
• a current sensing component at least partially disposed within the body of the welding or plasma cutting torch and comprising current sensing circuitry, wherein the current sensing component is configured to measure a welding or plasma cutting current of the welding or plasma cutting torch;
• and
• a user interface to receive an input to restrict the live-arc weld training operation for a welding operator in the weld training mode.

A retrofit kit, comprising at least one of:

• a training switch to close in response to selection of a live-arc weld training operation in a weld training mode to provide a welding or plasma cutting current to the welding or plasma cutting torch, and to open in response to selection of a welding simulation mode in the weld training mode;
• a current sensing component comprising a first circuit;
• or
• a voltage sensing component comprising a second circuit;
• wherein the current sensing component and the voltage sensing component are configured to be disposed in a torch head of a welding or plasma cutting torch, wherein the current sensing component is configured to measure a welding or plasma cutting current of the torch head, and wherein the voltage sensing component is configured to measure a welding or plasma cutting voltage of the torch head.