Systems and methods for automatic gouge torch activation

A welding system comprising:

• a power supply to operate in an arc welding mode or a gouging mode;
• a compressed air flow detection sensor configured to measure a pressure of compressed air to a torch;
• a selector to control the compressed air flow to the torch;
• and
• a control circuitry configured to:
• receive one or more first signals from the compressed air flow detection sensor corresponding to the pressure;
• monitor a measured pressure based on the one or more first signals;
• in response to determining that the measured pressure has exceeded a first threshold pressure, control the power supply to operate in the gouging mode;
• in response to determining that the measured pressure has gone below a second threshold pressure, control the power supply to operate in the arc welding mode;
• and
• control the power supply to operate in an idle state in response to turning off the compressed air flow to the torch, the idle state configured to maintain the arc welding mode or the gouging mode while preventing power flowing to the torch.