How To Test An Auto-Darkening Welding Helmet | Good or bad

A helmet is used to protect you from external forces while you are doing a hard job while a welding helmet is one which can protect your face and eyes while welding a material.

You can use an auto-darkening welding helmet which will give you ease in welding it will auto-adjust the scattering of the helmet when you weld strike the arc and turn off when you release the arc.

The major feature of an auto-darkening welding helmet is that it will protect you before the welding light damages your eyesight. These steps must be followed by you in order to test an auto-darkening welding helmet.

Why You Should Test Your Auto-Darkening Welding Helmet

You should test your auto-darkening welding helmet if you see that there is some fault in your welding helmet. Auto darkening welding helmet is a great innovation in the industry of welding, while in the past welders used the typical type of welding.

 The visor of the auto-darkening is adjusted according to your eyesight. Then you have to start doing the welding tasks.

 

How To Test Your Helmet

There are different ways you can test your welding helmet and a few of them are precisely described below;

1.  The Cigarette Test

You need a lighter for this test but everyone does not have a lighter in his hands. Anyways put on your auto-darkening welding helmet, and switch the lights on, you will see the changes occurring in the helmet. The spark of the cigarette lighter is not harmful to your eyes but it has enough light intensity to trigger the helmet.

2.  The Sun Test

The sun is the biggest source of heat through light. The sun has UV and IR rays similar to the welding arcs. The rays of the sun are not hard as the welding arcs and they will damage your eyes. The lenses are made with a UV filter, these will protect you if polarization does not work.

To conduct this test you have to go outside and adjust the sensitivity of your helmet. Put a helmet on your head and go outside to face the sun. You will see the lens is getting darker within a few seconds.

This test depends on the weather, try to conduct this test in a bright light.

3.  The Welding Test

This is one of the most useful tests if you want to test if your welding helmet is really working properly. You have to put all the equipment on and start doing your welding as normal. Strike the arc and see if the lens darkens automatically as it should.

This test would be more beneficial for you, try this test if you are completely sure otherwise you will compromise the welder’s eyes.

4.  Remote Control Test

This is an unconventional test, you use a TV remote to trigger the lens of the helmet. Most remote controls use IR light to turn on the TV, but it is not compulsory.

The chances of errors are very high. This test may go wrong and right if it gets wrong like the sensor of the lens does not darken, it may be the fault of the lens not of your helmet.

What To Look For During The Tests

The doing of different types of tests is not important but the desired results are meaningful. If following these sings appear, the helmet is ready to use:

• The color of the lens varies in a few seconds
• The helmet  darkens
• The shade of the helmet becomes bright when you remove the light
• The vision through the helmet will be super cool

 

What To Do If Your Helmet Fails A Test

If your auto-darkening welding helmet fails a test you should check the following things:

• Make sure that there is not problem or issue with the test. Ensure that the test is held in enough intensity of light.
• Try changing the settings of the helmet. Maybe the sensitivity of the helmet is too high.
• Replace the battery or lens of the helmet instead of the whole helmet
• Try to buy a new one new auto-darkening welding helmet by following these proper guidelines described in the article

Conclusion

Your test is very important for the vision of your eyes. You must conduct all these tests and follow the instructions given in this article, in order to protect your eyes. Ensure that the helmet darkens in proper time and adjusts the brightness of the light without affecting your eyes.