Auto Darkening Welding Helmet

An auto darkening welding helmet will provide the user with shelter against any injuries, by responding to the arc struck by the welder by darkening spontaneously.  This self responding helmet means that the hands are free to concentrate on the welding tool instead of trying to ascend or descend the faceplate of a conventional welding helmet. Even annoying fumes and flying bits and pieces cannot harm the welder’s eyes because in the auto darkening helmets, the face plate is down all the time. At the sign of light these helmets will become dark then become clear once the arc struck by the welder goes off.

Indoors and  areas with poor lighting these helmets are especially valuable. A welder is prone to injury or fall when left in pitch darkness after switching off the welding tool, this blindness occurs with the older models of helmets. Today, many construction companies have made the auto darkening helmets a requirement to enable the welder see even when in a dark environment. Other workers who have found these helmets useful are farmers who work both indoors and outdoors. As a result of their benefits, these auto darkening helmets will eventually eradicate the traditional welding helmets and their safety benefits will eventually prompt insurance companies and federal agencies to make them a must have.

When shopping for auto darkening helmets you have the option between battery-operated or solar powered helmets. As their name suggests, the solar power helmets are good for welders who work outside and are suitable and efficient but fail when you need to work indoors or underground. In the latter case you will need the battery operated helmets.

Both types of helmets have sensors that will trigger the darkening or clearing of the helmet depending on the presence or absence of light. To address a frequently asked question, about whether light from a nearby worker will trigger your helmet to darken, the answer can go either way depending on the grade of the model.

The basic models will respond to any light in their vicinity by darkening, but the more sophisticated helmets have sensors built in them that can distinguish an arc generated by a co-worker as opposed to an arc generated by the welder himself. In the case of industrial workers, the deluxe models will be a requirement but this becomes a mute point when you work alone and since either model works it will depend on your budget.

Auto Darkening Welding Helmets - Buying Suggestions

Some things to consider when buying a welding helmet are:

• The darkening speed in an ideal helmet should change in 1/20,000 second or less.
• Helmet should have an adjustable shade, preferably one in the range 9 – 13.
• Helmet should have sensitivity and delay settings

Sensitivity: When the helmet reacts to overhead light, sensitivity settings allow you to readjust the helmet.
Delay: This allows you to keep the shade dark when the arc is off but the rod is still hot and in case a light sensor fails.



Additional Information:

Given the safety measures of auto darkening helmets, all construction companies have enforce the use of these welding helmets for their workers.