System and method for protecting a welding-type system from strain

A portable support structure comprising:

• a support structure having a plurality of storage systems including a welding torch storage system configured to store a welding-type torch arranged at one end of a welding cable;
• a cable path supported by the support structure and configured to receive a power cable extending from a welding-type power source to deliver welding-type power through the welding cable to the welding-type torch to perform a welding-type process;
• and
• a strain protection system supported by the support structure and forming a tortured path through which the welding-type power cable extends and is engaged to secure the power cable in the cable path.

A portable wire feeder system comprising:

• a wire feeder connected to receive power over a power cable from a welding-type power source and configured to deliver a consumable wire for a welding-type process;
• a welding cable connected to the wire feeder to receive the consumable wire from the wire feeder and deliver the consumable wire to a weld;
• a support structure supporting the wire feeder and including at least one of a plurality of wheels and a pivotal connection to facilitate repositioning of the wire feeder;
• a first strain protection system supported by the support structure to engage the welding cable and transfer pulling forces from the welding cable to the support structure to inhibit the pulling forces from acting on the wire feeder and restrict the pulling forces from disconnecting the welding cable from the wire feeder;
• and
• a second strain protection system supported by the support structure to engage the power cable and transfer pulling forces from the power cable to the support structure to inhibit the pulling forces from acting on the wire feeder and restrict the pulling forces from disconnecting the power cable from the wire feeder.