A coolant tube for a plasma arc torch is provided. The coolant tube includes an elongated coolant tube body including a distal portion configured to engage an electrode and a proximal portion configured to engage a body of the plasma arc torch. The coolant tube also includes a first electrically conductive element coupled to the distal portion of the elongated coolant tube body. The first electrically conductive element is configured to physically contact an electrode. The coolant tube further includes a second electrically conductive element coupled to the proximal portion of the elongated coolant tube body. The second electrically conductive element is configured to physically contact the body of the plasma arc torch. The elongated coolant tube body defines a current path and a fluid path between the body of the plasma arc torch and the electrode.