What are the two types of welder mask?
There are two common styles of welding helmets, a passive and an auto-darkening variable shade. A passive helmet has a dark tinted lens, typically a shade #10. When the helmet is in the down position, you will see through the dark lens. The lens will not switch from a light state to a darken state.
Are all welding masks the same?
Welding lens shade numbers refer to the lens’ ability to filter light. All auto-darkening welding helmets that meet the Australian standard AS/NZS 1338.1 provide 100% protection against harmful infrared and UV rays and may range from a #8 shade for low-amp applications up to a #13 shade for high-amp applications.
Why are welding masks Green?
When you’re not welding, the filter is a light green, allowing good vision for job set up and torch positioning. As soon as an arc is struck, the filter darkens to a welding shade. The welding shade can normally be adjusted, lighter, or darker.
What is a welder’s mask called?
A welding helmet, commonly referred to as a “hood,” is one of the most important pieces of personal protective equipment that a welder must have. An adequate helmet protects the eyes and skin not only from severe sparks, but also from potentially vision-damaging ultraviolet and infrared rays emitted by the arc.
Why are welding helmets dark?
Auto-darkening helmets, Figure 1, work basically by sensing the light from the arc and electronically activating a liquid crystal filter within the lens to darken to a preselected shade and protect the welders face and eyes from ultraviolet and infrared radiation (UV/IR).
How do I choose a welding mask?
Here are 5 important considerations to think about when choosing a welding helmet.
- Do I Need a Single Fixed Shade or Variable Shade Lens?
- What About Switching Speed?
- Battery, Solar Power or Both?
- Does Helmet Weight Matter?
- What about Personal Preference?
Is it OK to watch welding on TV?
Welding can be watched safely on television. Although watching welding in real life without proper protection can cause serious issues such as welder’s flash, watching on TV is just fine. Cameras do not pick up on ultraviolet light, which is actually what causes issues to develop when viewing welding.
Can I look at the sun with a welding mask?
Can you look at an eclipse or the sun with a welding mask? Yes, you can do both with a welding mask if the shade of your welding mask is 12 or higher. Anything less than 12 shade will not adequately protect your eyes, and most welding masks you can easily find in stores are not 12 shade.