During welding, an auto-darkening welding helmet can save you from a lot of chaos. But before you buy, are you sure that the helmet that you are going to buy is entirely safe? Yes, that’s a huge concern because if something goes wrong, the effect will be dangerous.
So, in that case, How to test auto darkening welding helmet if it’s good to go or not? Before you buy your auto-darkening welding helmet, you have to check the lens, industrial standards, batteries, and a couple of other things more. No matter which brand you buy, you need to make sure to regularly check these factors.
Today, we will share everything elaborately on how to test the auto-darkening helmet to avoid dangers and the things you should notice before using the helmet. Without any further ado, let’s begin!
How To Test Auto Darkening Welding Helmet- Precaution
During your test, to avoid any potential dangers, here are a few factors that you should check before you proceed with the testing.
High Safety First
Before you start the test, make sure that your helmet meets up the safety standards. Standards like respiration, better protection, and highly impactful should be checked before wearing the helmet to test. Here are the safety industry standards that your helmet should meet before you try it:
- Auto-darkening- AS/NZS 1338.1
- Extend impact- AS/NZS 1337.1 B
- Standard Respiratory Protection- AS/NZS 1715:2009
Shade match with your requirements
You have to decide the purpose of your welding helmet. Often people use a welding helmet for different purposes. If you make sure of your purposes, you can match the adjustable shade lens of the helmet according to your choice. Welding helmets with numerous shade variations can back you up in different situations.
Optical clarity
Before you test a helmet, look for the optical or lens clarity of it. The best quality lens comes in a 1/1/1/1 quality rating. If the quality rating is 2/2/2/2, its average, and 3/3/3/3 is the lowest grade quality of helmet lens.
Testing an auto-darkening welding helmet:
If you have checked all the precaution factors, you are ready for testing your welding helmet. Let’s start with the procedure step by step:
Step-1: the lens quality
During welding works, your eyes should be your biggest concern. The auto-darkening welding helmets come with Uv and IR protection. Here are the things that you should go through to check the lens quality.
Optimal clarity
It is one of the major factors. You should buy the 1/1/1/1 quality rating helmet for the best visionary experience. If you don’t see through the lens properly while working, the helmet will trouble you a lot, even with eye fatigue. Also, if the optimal clarity is bad, there is a possibility that the protection of that lens against UV rays is also not so good.
Lens selection and security
You should choose the lens according to your working requirements. If you want to use this helmet in a variety of areas, you should check the lens considering that.
Sun test
As it is an auto-darkening helmet that you have bought, the sun test is necessary. You have to test in the sun if it gets dark in the light or not and also the reaction to the sun. Also, use an IR ray to see that if the ray passes through the helmet lens or not. Cause if the IR ray can pass, then the helmet is not UV protected.
Inconsistency in the angles
If there is any inconsistency in the eagles or edges, you will feel it troublesome to have a clear vision while working. Also, check if there are any scratches or scars in there or not.
Step-2: balance and control
As you have to wear the helmet for an extended period, you need to check the balance and proper control of the helmet. Here’s what you should test in this regard:
Consider Weight
If you want to get comfortable while working, you have to buy a lightweight helmet. Otherwise, it can cause your back and neck pain or even injuries in some cases.
Sensitivity
The light changing sensitivity is a big concern for you. The sensitivity should be average so that it doesn’t go dark in the minimal lighting. Check sensitivity response in both minimal lighting and high lighting. Also, you should check the sensitive response time.
Proper fit
Along with the weight, here is another fact that you need to test. If the helmet doesn’t fit the shape of your head, it will hardly cope up with your work.
Delay controls
To test the delay controls, work with the welding, and pause for a while and then start working differently. It will give you an idea about your helmet’s delay control.
Step-3: respiration
While wearing the helmet and using it for longer times, breathability should be ensured properly. Here are the things you should perform to test the breathability:
Airflow
You need to test if the airflow is enough for you to breathe properly. After exhalation, check if the air stays there or not. Also, check if the existing airs create any fogging cause that will create disturbance in the visibility.
Breathing difficulty
If you find any breathing difficulty when you work wearing the helmet, you should avoid that immediately.
Advanced tip
Check the power source and battery life for extended support while you work.
Now that you know how to test your welding helmet before you start work, let’s have a look at the frequently asked questions to make it more clear.
How do I know if my auto darkening welding helmet is working?
You need to take the helmet through a couple of sun tests and welding tests to see if it works or not. If it provides a good darkening response and sensitivity with clear visibility, your auto darkening welding helmet is probably good to go
Do auto darkening helmets go bad?
No, but the sensitivity can get lower responsive day by day. Also, the battery may die after a certain period, that’s when you can charge the battery and make it all new.
Why is my auto darkening welding helmet not working?
There can be a couple of reasons why it is not working. But one of the main reasons why an auto-darkening helmet stops working is the dead battery. In this case, if you change the battery, the problem will probably get solved.
Are cheap auto darkening welding helmets safe?
No matter what the price is if the test results come out of being okay and if your helmet meets the safety standards, then your helmet is good to work.
Wrapping up
By now, you probably got the answer to how to test auto-darkening welding helmets. Testing the helmet before you start working every time can save you from a lot of trouble. As we shared the elaborate way of testing, hopefully, you don’t have anything else to worry about.
If you are confused about choosing a helmet, you can take the expert suggestion. But do not forget to recheck the standard safety requirements before you test the helmet on yourself. Also, even if the fitting and size seem least concerning, it will matter a lot over time. So check everything wisely beforehand. Good luck!
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