ALL ABOUT WELDING HELMET

Welding produce lots of particles, debris as well as harmful radiant (UV/IR) and strong visible lights. Helmet has a well designed shield that offers full neck head and face protection. Auto-darkening filter switches from light to dark in 1/15000 sec, in event of electric failure, the welder remains protective against harmful sparks, UV and IR radiation. The modern welding helmet used today was first introduced in 1937 by Willson Products.

Helmet with A Single Fixed Shade

• A standard welding helmet, (AKA a passive welding helmet), features a viewing lens with a static ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) filter. This filter offers the same level of protection no matter how many amps the light generated from the welding. 
• Although standard helmets with unadjustable  lenses are often cheaper, they have some disadvantages. When the welder is ready to work, he will need to lower this kind of helmet with a quick nod or snap of the neck to flip the helmet down while keeping the torch in position. When finished, the welder must lift the helmet for visibility. For an inexperienced welder, it may take some practices to keep the flame in a stable and correct position after fixing the welding helmet in place. Also, if you are welding in a limited area or space, it is not always possible to maneuver or turn the helmet up or down. Raising and lowering the helmet also increases working time, which can affect performance.

Helmet with Variable Shade Lens

• Variable Shade welding helmets feature auto-darkening filters with an electronic filter lens. An auto-darkening filter or ADF, is a liquid crystal display that features light sensors mounted near the lens to detect the welding arc. 
• When the lens is not activated, the LCD filter will typically have a #3 or 4 shade, similar to sunglasses so it’s easy to see with the helmet in place. Once a welding arc is started, sensors on the helmet will darken the lens to a shade from #9 to #13. 
• The advantage of this helmet is that it can stay in place before you start work allowing you to set up a welding joint with the helmet in position. You can also keep the helmet in place for the length of the task, with no lifting or lowering needed.

Switching Speed

The lens switching speed or reaction time is how fast a lens will switch from its natural state to a shade #3 or #4 when welding begins, and is usually expressed in ratings of 1/3,600 of a second to as high as 1/25,000. If your work requires several hours of welding at a time, the low rate of transition can cause eye fatigue towards the end of the day. If so, when choosing a welding helmet, consider switching to an intermediate or professional level switching speed.

Battery or Solar Power

Auto darkening helmets offer a variety of power options: 

• internal non-replaceable batteries + solar assist panels 
• replaceable batteries with solar assist panels.

Some offer lithium batteries, which are great for extended battery life, but they also cost more. Some helmets with solar assist panels require a charging period in direct sunlight before they can be used.

For wide availability and economical battery replacement cost, the AAA battery is a good choose. For extended battery life, lithium batteries are better.

How to Change the Battery of DEKO Welding Helmet