Whether you’re a PROFESSIONAL welder working on complex fabrication works or a HOBBYIST who needs to weld for some personal projects, auto-darkening helmets are a boon. The perks these masks offer compared to passive hoods in terms of performance, comfort, and convenience are unmatched. But, how SAFE are these auto-dimming welding helmets, really?
Well, honestly, this is something I wondered about too when I was a beginner. The good news is that I have been welding myself for decades, and NEVER ONCE has an auto-darkening helmet failed to protect me or my colleagues. Nevertheless, let’s delve right into it and get a better idea of whether it’s good to use these helmets or if you are better off with a passive lens.
What Do Auto-darkening Helmets Protect Against?
Self-darkening welding helmets protect you from the same hazards as any other hoods—sparks, flying debris, hot metal slags, and, most importantly, harmful radiation.
Welding produces dangerously high levels of UV and IR light, which, combined with the brightness of the arc, can cause an arc eye, if you don’t have enough protection. And guess what? This combined with the FUMES and GASES generated makes a hazardous environment for welders.
Auto-darkening helmets solve this problem by detecting the arc and darkening the lens in a fraction of a second, thus protecting your eyes. The lens returns to a lighter shade when not welding, ensuring clear visibility to inspect the work.
But that’s not everything! As those specialized welding hoods cover the whole face, they also safeguard you from direct exposure to the fumes generated and the flying debris from the workpiece itself.
But, Are Those Helmets Safe To Use?
YES, I’d say auto-darkening welding helmets are pretty safe and reliable, provided that you use the right product for your specific job with proper shade, sensitivity, and delay settings.
Most of these welding masks activate within 1/25,000 and 1/10,000 of a second, offering instant protection. But, is that all? No, there’s more. Let’s weigh the pros and cons of these helmets.
Advantages
The automatic dimming feature engages almost instantly, protecting your eyes from dangerously long exposure.
You don’t have to lift the helmet to check a weld, which means your eyes and head remain protected at all times. This is especially relevant when working in a busy workshop with other welders nearby.
Welders will still be protected in case they forget to turn on the helmet as the lens maintains a darkened shade when in the “off” state.
You can use the ‘Delay Settings’ to adjust how long the lens stays dark after welding stops. This feature adds another dimension to the safety of auto-darkening helmets, allowing you to adjust to different conditions comfortably.
Disadvantages
The auto-dimming feature may fail to engage if something is blocking the sensors from detecting the arc.
Some auto-darkening helmets do not work in the sun. If you have a welding project outdoors, make sure to get a compatible hood.
The GOOD NEWS? None of these drawbacks are deal-breakers. In fact, they’re quite easy to overcome. Professional-grade welding helmets come equipped with 3 or more arc sensors, designed to detect out-of-position arcs and eliminate any obstacle issues. That’s why I bought hoods with at least 2 sensors for the welders in my workshop—it’s a game-changer.
But wait, there’s more! Enter the era of electromagnetic arc sensors, a recent innovation revolutionizing welding helmet technology. These special sensors can detect welding arcs despite obstacles, ensuring CONTINUOUS PROTECTION. Plus, when it comes to mitigating the risk of malfunction, a quick test of the welding hood before starting work only takes a few seconds.
Here is a behind-the-helmet video of MIG welding using an auto-darkening mask. You can clearly see how the ADF quickly darkens the lens, saving the eyes from harmful radiation.
Are Auto-darkening Helmets Safer Than Passive Or Fixed-Shade Helmets?
Yes, auto-darkening helmets are ALWAYS SAFER than their fixed-shade counterparts. Especially when working on a project with other welders and grinders, it’s highly advisable to use the former due to better adjustability, protection, visibility, response time, and versatility.
To simplify, here is a comparison table for auto-darkening vs fixed-shade welding helmets.
| Point of Difference | Auto-Darkening | Passive / Fixed-Shade |
|---|---|---|
| Adjustability | Automatically adjusts shade based on arc brightness. | The shade level is fixed. |
| Protection | By wearing an auto-darkening helmet, you remain protected at all times. | When you take off the passive helmet to inspect a weld, you’re vulnerable to arc flashes and flying debris from other nearby welders. |
| Visibility | Clear visibility before striking arc. | Limited visibility before striking arc. |
| Power Source | Requires batteries and/or solar panels. | No power source is needed. |
| Response Time | The lens darkens in a fraction of a second, increasing convenience for welding and inspecting the weld afterward. | It stays dark at all times. |
| Chances of Failure | Auto-darkening welding helmets may fail to activate, though the chances are negligible with professional-grade hoods. | Zero chances of failure. But it comes at the cost of less protection and inconvenience. |
| Hazards Due to Human Errors | There’s a lower risk of manual errors since you don’t have to take off the helmet. In case you forget to turn it on, the lens still stays dark for safety. | There’s always a chance that you might forget to bring the mask back down over your eyes before continuing to weld. |
| Versatility | Variable shade settings for different welding processes. | A single fixed shade is not suitable for all processes. |
| Cost | Typically more expensive. | Generally more affordable. |
Now as you got to know more about auto-darkening helmets, it’s time for an interesting QUIZ!
Can You See Through An Auto-darkening Welding Helmet?
The purpose of an auto-darkening helmet is to allow the welder to see through the lens without having to take it off, regardless of the shade (DIN number), ranging from #9 to #13. In contrast, passive welding masks typically remain dark at all times, meaning you won’t see anything until you strike the arc. This requires lifting the hood each time you need to inspect the weld.
An auto-darkening lens stays at the same shade when you aren’t welding, depending on the settings on your helmet. While it still darkens the view somewhat, it allows in enough light for a clear view of your work. In most of the helmets we use, the view is clear green through the lenses.
However, you can’t see through an auto-dimming welding helmet UNLESS YOU TURN IT ON, as the lens remains dark when deactivated for safety reasons. But if you don’t get proper visibility even when the power is turned on (without an arc), there could be some malfunctions.
Also Read: Types of Welding Helmets
Do They Go Bad Eventually?
Unfortunately, auto-darkening welding lenses don’t last forever. Like all electronics, they eventually wear out and stop working. LCDs, which are a key component of auto-darkening lenses, can fail if left without power for too long. If you plan to store your helmet for extended periods without use, there’s a risk of ending up with a non-functional ADF.
Additionally, if you live in a very cold climate, keep in mind that temperatures below freezing point or overheating can also reduce the lifespan of the lens. The good news is that, if your AD lens fails, you don’t need to buy a new welding helmet – just REPLACE THE LENS.
In this context, I also advise reading the problems and solutions when the helmet malfunctions.
Key Takeaways
From professional welders tackling intricate fabrication to hobbyists working on personal projects, auto-darkening welding helmets are a game-changer, offering unmatched performance, comfort, and convenience.
They are SAFER than fixed-shade helmets, offering better adjustability, visibility, and protection against human errors.
They safeguard against the usual hazards like sparks, debris, and hot metal slags. More importantly, they protect against the harmful UV and IR radiation emitted during welding, which can cause serious eye damage.
The lens in auto-darkening helmets darkens in a FRACTION OF A SECOND when an arc is detected, shielding your eyes. It then returns to a lighter shade when not welding, providing clear visibility for inspection without touching the hood.
Benefits include instant dimming, continuous protection without lifting the helmet, and protection even if it is not turned on.
Limitations include potential sensor blockage and flickering in certain welding positions, but modern helmets easily overcome these issues.
While they do have a lifespan and can eventually wear out, they are replaceable without needing to buy a new helmet.
The basic auto-darkening welding hoods with only 2 sensors might sometimes fail when working on out-of-position welds, but then again, they aren’t meant for such complex tasks and are suitable for BEGINNERS.
If you’re planning to work as a PROFESSIONAL welder, I’d advise investing in a good welding helmet with at least 3 arc sensors. Such helmets also have shorter response times and are more reliable, thus offering better protection overall.
