A welding helmet is an essential item for a welder. A good welding helmet not only protects the welder’s eyes but also ensures their safety and comfort.
Examining the properties and features of the welding helmet is crucial before buying one.
So, if you choose auto darkening helmet, you should test it out first before using it as everyday protection for your welding purpose.
In my years of being a welder, I’ve tried about every type of auto-darkening helmet out there. Whether it be dual or single lens, internal or external frame, I’ve really done my fair share.
In this article, I will talk about how to test auto darkening welding helmet. I will cover the topics related to how these helmets operate and how to test such helmets simply and conveniently.
How Auto Darkening Welding Helmets Works?
Auto Darkening Welding Helmets are a type of safety helmet that uses light sensors to detect the intensity of ambient light. When the intensity of the light exceeds a certain threshold, the helmet darkens to protect the wearer’s eyes from the sun’s harmful rays.
Auto Darkening Welding Helmets can also protect welders from arc flash, which occurs when an electric arc hits the welding area, causing sparks and hot metal particles to fly through the air.
Auto Darkening Welding Helmets work by using photocells (also known as light sensors), which are connected to a pair of solenoids that control an LCD screen on top of the helmet.
The photocells detect when there is too much light in order to prevent damage to your eyesight or skin from overexposure to ultraviolet radiation; this triggers your Auto Darkening Welding Helmet’s LCD screen to darken so you can see clearly again.
I will show you the possible convenient ways and quick steps to test auto-darkening welding helmets, so keep reading!
How to Test Auto Darkening Welding Helmet? 4 Simple Ways
The auto-darkening sensor automatically adjusts to the light and gives you clear vision when needed. To test it out, go outside on a sunny day and put your helmet up to a light source. If it gets darker, then this means that the sensor is working well and the helmet is worth buying.
Grind mode is a feature on some helmets that turns off the auto-darkening arc sensors. This allows you to use your helmet with an angle grinder or any other grinding tool and still get adequate shade.
Don’t panic! If you don’t have a helmet that has a grind mode, it’s still easy to test the auto-darkening feature of your helmet.
Before I go to the quick testing steps, I want to share with you the simple 4 ways to test auto-darkening welding helmets without any inconvenience. The following are:
Put Lens in front of Sunlight:
The first thing you need to do is display the lens to full sunlight. This will ensure that your helmet is working properly and also give you a good idea of how dark it will get when you’re welding in a brightly lit area.
Try to check the helmet’s settings at this time in terms of the helmet’s sensitivity perspective.
If you notice any change in the brightness of the sun on the lens, then your helmet should be working correctly, and you don’t need to worry about it.
If you don’t see a change in brightness as you move around, then there may be an issue with your helmet’s sensitivity settings or its wiring harness.
Make Use of Smoking Lighter:
A lighter’s spark can be used as a second means of testing your helmet’s auto-darkening functions.
In order to do this, you must first put on your welding helmet and activate the auto-darkening feature. Then, hold the lighter in front of your face and press the trigger. If there is a bright flash of light, then your helmet is working properly. If there is no flash, then it may need to be replaced or repaired by an expert.
Use TV or AC Remote:
It’s quite easy to do an IR test on a welding helmet. All you need is a remote control for a TV, air conditioning system, or anything else that uses IR signals. Point the remote at the lens of the helmet and see if it works. If it does, then you’re probably good to go!
Most welding helmets block UV and IR light, which is why they are used in most industrial settings to protect workers from harmful UV and infrared rays.
Look in the lens of your helmet and press any buttons on the remote. You should see the darkening screen come down.
The lens should cycle from clear to dark every time it’s activated by the IR signal coming from the remote. If it doesn’t do that, you may need to adjust your helmet’s sensitivity so that it reacts more quickly to the IR signal.
A TV remote will send out pulsed IR signals that can cause some helmets to flicker, so start by testing the delay setting. If the delay is set too low, the helmet may begin to flicker when you press buttons on the remote control (like a TV remote).
Through Bright Fluorescent Light:
When testing an auto-darkening welding helmet, the most important test is to see if it darkens when exposed to bright fluorescent light.
The reason for this is that many helmets have a light sensor that will cause them to turn on when they detect direct sunlight. If you are in a dark room and the helmet turns on, then it may not be working properly.
To perform this test, first, make sure that the helmet is fully charged and turned off. Then place it under a bright fluorescent light for 5 minutes. If the lens does not darken after being exposed to bright fluorescent light, then there is likely something wrong with your helmet.
Also See: The truth about solar powered auto-darkening helmets
5 Quick Steps to Test Auto Darkening Welding Helmet
The Auto Darkening Welding Helmet is high technology equipment, but it can also be damaged by the environment.
Therefore, you should pay attention to the following items and not just use them for a long time:
1. Protection Test:
The welding helmet is usually used in a very harsh environment, such as sparks and smoke. So the first thing to do is to test whether it works well under these conditions. You can put it in a controlled environment to see if it really works when there is smoke or sparks around; if not, then you need to replace it immediately!
2. Helmet Lens Test:
You can also perform a simple helmet lens test by just looking at various angles at the arc light with your auto-darkening helmet on and off while wearing glasses of different colors (blue tinted glasses, yellow tinted glasses, etc.)
I will ensure that this helps you determine whether or not the lenses are functioning properly by making sure that there are no blurry spots or rainbow colors visible when looking at these colors through different lenses.
3. Battery Test:
The next thing that you need to do is check the battery of your helmet. It is important to know that if the battery is not working properly, then it will not be able to give protection to you when you are welding.
You can check this by turning on the helmet and pressing the button that turns it off and on again several times. If it works, then the battery is fine. If not, then you need to replace it with a new one.
4. Filter Test:
After you’ve checked your battery, it’s time to test your auto-darkening filter. To do this, take your welding torch and place it directly in front of your helmet so that its light is visible through the lens of your helmet.
The lens should automatically darken within moments of being exposed to any kind of intense light source like this one without any problems whatsoever!
5. Sensitivity & Clarity Test:
It is important to test your helmet’s sensitivity and clarity before you use it. The sensitivity should be adjusted so that it is not too sensitive and can protect you from infrared radiation, but also not too insensitive so that you cannot see clearly through the lens.
The clarity of the glass should be tested by viewing an object at a distance of about 2 meters. If the object is not clear, then it means that the glass is not clear enough for you, or there is something wrong with your auto-darkening welding helmet.
How Long Can You Expect Your Auto-Darkening Helmet to Last?
Normally, these helmets tend to last for 8 to 10 years, but it’s not a definite time period because longevity depends on various factors.
Auto-darkening helmets are made out of different materials and come in different shapes, sizes, and designs. However, there are some factors that determine how long your auto-darkening helmet will last.
Helmet Material:
The first factor that affects how long your auto-darkening helmet will last is what type of material it is made out of. For example, some helmets are made with a special alloy that makes them more durable than other types of helmets.
In addition, some materials are more flexible than others which helps reduce the risk of cracks or breaks in the face shield.
Maintenance of Helmet:
Another factor that affects how long your auto-darkening helmet will last is whether or not it is properly maintained.
If you clean your helmet regularly, then there is less chance for dirt or dust particles to accumulate on the lens, which can cause scratches over time. I recommend you to clean your helmet daily after work.
Also, if you keep your helmet in its case when not being worn, then it will be protected from any damage caused by either dropping it (on accident) or even just exposing it to too much light (from prolonged exposure).
Battery Durability:
The lifespan of an auto-darkening helmet’s battery can be extended with proper care, but it’s not as simple as just making sure it doesn’t die. You have to make sure the battery stays at the right voltage and that its contact points are clean.
If you have a helmet with a lithium-ion battery, you should also keep an eye on its temperature. If it gets too hot, you risk damaging the battery and shortening its life considerably.
I have had a helmet for not more than 1-year-old, and it works best until now because I do maintenance and safety without any negligence.
Lens Durability:
The Lens may last anywhere from 1 year to 5 years, depending on how much exposure it has to UV light (which causes the Lens to be yellow). If you wear your helmet every day outdoors in direct Sunlight, then it will last about 1 year before turning yellow.
If you wear it indoors with no sunlight exposure at all, then the yellowing process will take 5 years.
Pros of Auto Darkening Welding Helmets
Automatic Darkening Welding Helmets are very useful for a number of reasons. Auto-darkening welding helmets offer many benefits that make them worth the investment for anyone who welds or works around welding equipment on a regular basis.
| No. | Advantages | Description |
| 1 | Proper Protection | They protect your eyes from the harmful UV rays that are released when you use an arc welder. |
| 2 | Protection against Infrared Light | They also protect against infrared light, which can also be damaging to your eyesight. |
| 3 | No Need for Welding Goggles | Auto-darkening helmets eliminate the need for welding goggles that have to be manually adjusted every time you start welding, and they allow you to see better than ever before! |
| 4 | Easy to Use | Auto-darkening helmets are convenient and easy to use. |
| 5 | Better Helmets | They offer advantages over traditional welding goggles in terms of convenience, safety, and comfort. In addition, they come in different styles and sizes, so they can fit comfortably on any face shape or size. |
| 6 | Lightweight | They are lightweight and durable, so they won’t break easily even when dropped on the floor accidentally during normal use conditions, such as if you’re working on a project outdoors. |
| 7 | Clear Vision | Auto-darkening helmets provide excellent coverage area protection because they’re designed by professionals who know how important it is for welders. |
After reading all these advantages, I again recommend you to go for auto darkening helmets because of their superiority and better functionality compared to traditional helmets.
Wrapping Up!
Auto Darkening Welding Helmet is designed to protect the welder from the rays of the welding arc.
They do this by allowing the wearer to see clearly when not welding and then darken once the arc is struck.
Some auto-darkening models feature three or four settings which allow for different levels of darkening, but most modern helmets offer a wide range of darkening levels, and some even allow for customized light levels.
This article has given you a better idea of what helmet might be right for you and how to test auto darkening welding helmet.
FAQs:
Why is my auto-darkening welding helmet not working?
There are a few reasons why your auto-darkening welding helmet may not be working. The most common reason is that the battery is dead, in which case you need to replace it. Another possibility is that the auto-darkening lens panel has been damaged or cracked. The last possible reason is that there is a power surge, such as lightning, which can damage one or more of the components in your auto-darkening helmet.
How fast should an auto-darkening welding helmet work?
The speed of the auto-darkening welding helmet is essential for the safety and comfort of the welder. The time delay is defined by the bracket in which the helmet connects to the power supply. Welding helmets with a time delay of 1/2 second or less are recommended for optimum performance.
How long do auto-darkening helmets last?
The life of an auto-darkening helmet depends on how much you use it. The more you use it, the more impact it sustains and the sooner you’ll have to replace it. Most helmets are expected to have a life span of seven to ten years, though that may be less if they’re used regularly or in high-impact environments.
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