Abstract: A remote control unit for closing a normally open contactor in response to closing of a normally open gun switch in a portable wirefeed arc welding system having a power source including the contactor, a portable wirefeed unit, a welding gun, a ground cable interconnecting the power source and the work, an electrode power cable interconnecting the power source and the wirefeed unit and gun, and control leads interconnecting the wirefeed unit with the work and the gun; wherein a capacitor in the control unit is operable to place an override current on the ground and electrode power cables in response to closing of the gun switch, and sensing means comprising a sense relay are operable in response to such override current to effect closing of a normally open cycle hold delay relay and the contactor. The cycle hold delay relay, in turn, closes a fourth or rearming delay relay which opens the circuit to the sense relay.