Remotely controlled welding machine

A welding system comprising:

• a power source configured to condition raw power and supply a power usable during a welding process;
• a wire feeder constructed without a contactor assembly and configured to receive the power from the power source and supply a consumable electrode to a weld, the wire feeder having a transmitter configured to transmit a signal to a receiver of the power source indicative of desired operational parameters of the power source;
• a torch connected to the wire feeder and configured to receive the power from the wire feeder;
• and
• a welding cable connecting the power source and the wire feeder such that the signal is transmittable thereacross between the transmitter and the receiver, the power source and wire feeder connected such that a welding-type voltage is not created across the weld cables until the transmitter transmits a signal to the receiver signaling the desired welding operation.

A welding system comprising:

• a power source having a power source contactor configured to supply welding-type power to a weld when the power source contactor is in a closed position;
• a welding gun configured to supply consumable welding wire to the weld;
• a contactorless wire feeder connected to the power source and connected to the welding gun, the contactorless wire feeder configured to receive the welding-type power from the power source to deliver the welding-type power to the welding gun;
• and
• a communication system configured to detect activation of the welding gun and close the power source contactor in response thereto.