Welding wire feed speed control system method

A welding system, comprising:

• a power source configured to output power within a range of power levels;
• an advancement mechanism configured to advance wire electrode into a welding torch of the welding system at a rate of advancement;
• a first input device operable to select the rate of advancement;
• a control circuit configured to determine an output level of the power source based on the selected rate of advancement;
• and
• a second input device operable to manually select the output power level and to at least partially disable the control circuit.

A welding system, comprising:

• a power source configured to receive alternating current (ac) power and output a direct current (dc) power within a range of voltage levels;
• a voltage-level selection device operable to select the outputted dc power voltage level;
• a wire-feed speed selection device operable to manually select a rate of advancement of wire electrode into a welding torch, and operable to transition the welding system to an automated mode;
• an electric motor configured to advance wire electrode from a spool and into the welding torch at the rate of advancement;
• a control circuit configured to determine the rate of advancement based on the outputted dc power voltage level when the welding system is in the automated mode.

A welding system, comprising:

• a power source configured to output power within a range of power levels;
• a first input device operable to select an output power level provided by the power source;
• an advancement mechanism configured to advance wire electrode into a welding torch of the welding system at a rate of advancement;
• a second input device operable to select the rate of advancement;
• a control circuit operable to determine the rate of advancement based on a range the output power levels or to determine a single output power level based on a range of rates of advancement.