Auto-darkening helmets have revolutionized the welding safety by miles. With these headgears, you’ve assured a ton of helpful stuff to weld faster with no worries.
And for you to achieve the most during your welding operation, you’ve got to know how to test auto darkening welding helmet. With an auto-dim helmet in your inventory, testing is the best thing you’ve got to do right now. And you’d get to see why in a moment.
Getting such info from the right source is a must if you’re to fully gain from using an auto-dim helmet. And that’s what you’ll get right here! With so many years of welding experience under my belt, I’ve made use of numerous auto-dim helmets in my time.
When you test your helmet just right, there’re lots of benefits attached. We’re going to take a closer look at everything auto-dim helmets have on offer. And most essentially, the tit-bits on how to test this helmet will be made available to you.
That’s why you need to keep reading to get all the right stuff;
Why You Need to Test Your Auto-Darkening Helmet
Right before welding, you’ve got to check your auto-darkening helmet for the following reasons;
To ensure optimal performance
To maximize your potential safety from an auto-dim helmet, testing is essential. Running a test before putting on your helmet will reveal if it’s fully functional.
Reason is, there’re numerous automatic features built-in to these helmets to keep your eyes. If any of these features fail, you could get really uncomfortable with a direct view of harsh arc light.
To determine if all settings are in check
Auto-dim helmets come with ADF knobs, filters, sensitivity controls, delay timers, etc. Without a proper test before operation, a lot of folks may not find out if the helmet needs some setting up.
Getting your auto-dim helmet setup properly is a must. And the only way to get a proper setup is through running a test.
How to Test an Auto-Darkening Helmet
Check out Your Lens’ Shade Range
Auto-dim helmets come with two possible lens types – fixed or variable shade. With a fixed shade lens, you’ll get limited flexibility from your helmet in reacting to arc lights.
On the flip side, a variable lens gives better protection against bright arc lights with its much wider range (in most helmets, range from 3 (lowest) to 13 (most sensitive)).
Having a fixed shade lens isn’t a bad thing. But you’ve got to know the protection it provides as there’re other features that complement it. With your lens type registered, you’d know how to set these extra elements to properly protect your eyes.
Does It Meet Standards?
Currently, there’re standards your helmet has to meet if it’s in the market. All helmets usually have to meet ANSI Z87 standards. These standards determine if the helmet is durable enough to;
- Withstand spatter.
- If it’s able to provide head protection similar to a hard hat.
- If it can operate in challenging, high-temperature conditions.
Optical Clarity
Checking out your helmet’s optical clarity is a must if you’re to get maximum protection while welding.
Optical class ratings are common to all types of helmets, but it’s essential your helmet gets a full pass. Check your helmet’s packaging or user manual to confirm if it comes with a 1/1/1/1 class rating.
These four digits mean your helmet has a high welding homogeneity, optic quality, angular dependence, and light dissipation.
It’s essential your auto-dim helmet has a 1/1/1/1 rating to avoid you getting temporarily blinded by arc lights.
What Kind of Protection It Offers
A lot of ultraviolet and infrared rays plague welders without the right protection. But auto-dim helmets have that covered. These helmets come with UV and IR protection in most brands.
Ensure you get a good look at what the helmet’s makers have provided to keep you safe. If your chosen helmet doesn’t have this protective feature, it’ll be a great idea to get a replacement.
Tweak Your ADF Knobs
Auto-darkening filters (ADF) make it possible for your helmet to switch from light-dark state within moments.
Getting your ADF knob set right provides a lot of benefits. First off, it increases your helmet’s sensitivity to your satisfaction. Also, it acts as a balancer for your shade lens. Regardless of your helmet’s lens, setting up your ADF to be highly-sensitive provides total protection.
Confirm Reaction Time
How quick does your helmet react to bright light? This is one question you can’t afford not asking. Checking this out can only be done in front of a very bright light. When you’ve gotten all the settings right, put your helmet on and try it out.
If you notice it takes too long for your lens to respond and turn dark, you’ve got to make further adjustments. Many helmets come with reaction times within a fraction of a second. With such reaction speeds, you don’t have to keep getting exposed to dangerous arc light.
Assess the Outer Shell
Your helmet’s casing is one thing you should look at too. What kind of material it’s made with, its weight, and inner layer should all be checked out. These will help you get more comfort & protection when making use of your helmet.
Find Out Your Viewing Level
Whether you’re using a miller welding helmet or antra welding helmet, how well you can see matters a lot.
To know if you’ve got a quality welding helmet, the best time to find out is when you’ve got a weld setup. You should be able to see through the lens clearly whether it’s dark or not. If you’ve gotten to this level, then it’s sure your helmet is properly set up.
Final Word
It’s no secret there’s a ton of stuff from welding operations you need to get just right. But knowing how to test auto darkening welding helmet is a must for your total eye safety.
Make use of this info today, and get yourself top-class protection!