Setting an auto-darkening welding helmet primarily involves adjusting the shade level (darkness), sensitivity, and delay to match your welding process, amperage, and comfort preferences.
Understanding Auto-Darkening Helmet Settings
Auto-darkening welding helmets offer several adjustable settings that allow you to customize their performance for different welding tasks. The key settings typically include:
Shade Level (Darkness)
This is the most crucial setting. It determines how dark the lens becomes when the arc is detected. The required shade level depends on the welding process (MIG, TIG, Stick, etc.) and the amperage being used.
- Adjustment: Helmets have a dial, slider, or digital control to select the shade level, typically ranging from Shade 9 to Shade 13 or higher in the dark state, and a lighter shade (like 3 or 4) in the inactive state.
- Choosing the Level: You select a shade level based on published guidelines for welding processes and amperages (often found in welding safety standards or your helmet manual). However, personal comfort and visibility are also factors. As mentioned in the reference from the video titled "MIG Welder Safety 2 of 7 - Adjusting Auto Darkening Helmet," seeing what you're doing you might need to darken it [the shade level]. Conversely, if you're finding it's too dark to actually see where you're going and to see where the path that you're supposed to be following, you might need to re-evaluate your shade setting or the helmet's clear state.
Here's a general guide for common processes (always consult your helmet and process specific charts):
| Welding Process | Amperage (A) | Recommended Shade Range |
|---|---|---|
| MIG (GMAW) | < 60 | 10 |
| 60 - 160 | 10 - 11 | |
| 160 - 250 | 11 - 12 | |
| > 250 | 13 - 14 | |
| TIG (GTAW) | < 50 | 9 |
| 50 - 150 | 10 - 12 | |
| 150 - 500 | 12 - 14 | |
| Stick (SMAW) | < 75 | 8 |
| 75 - 200 | 10 - 12 | |
| > 200 | 12 - 14 | |
| Plasma Arc (PAW) | < 20 | 9 |
| 20 - 100 | 10 - 11 | |
| > 100 | 12 - 14 |
Note: Shade level charts are starting points; adjust for personal vision and comfort.
Sensitivity
This setting controls how easily the sensors detect the welding arc and trigger the lens to darken.
- Adjustment: Usually a dial or slider.
- Choosing the Level: Set sensitivity higher in low-light conditions or for low-amperage TIG welding where the arc might be less bright. Set it lower if welding outdoors or near other welders to prevent the helmet from darkening unintentionally from ambient light or other arcs.
Delay
This setting determines how long the lens stays dark after the welding arc stops before returning to its clear state.
- Adjustment: Typically a dial with settings for short, medium, and long delay.
- Choosing the Level: Use a longer delay for higher amperage welds or tack welding to protect your eyes from the bright residual glow after the arc extinguishes. A shorter delay is suitable for quick tacks or repetitive welds where you need the lens to clear quickly between beads.
How to Make Adjustments
Adjustments are made using controls located either on the outside of the helmet shell or on the inside of the lens assembly.
- Identify Controls: Locate the dials, sliders, or buttons for Shade, Sensitivity, and Delay on your specific helmet model.
- Consult Manual: Always refer to your helmet's user manual for precise instructions on what each control does and its adjustment range.
- Set Initial Values: Start with the shade level recommended for your process and amperage. Set sensitivity to a medium level. Set delay to a short or medium level initially.
- Test: Before welding, ensure the helmet is in place and perform a quick test strike. Check if the lens darkens properly.
- Refine: Based on your visibility during welding and the arc's brightness, adjust the shade level as needed. If the lens flickers or doesn't darken reliably, adjust the sensitivity. If your eyes are bothered by the afterglow, increase the delay.
Practical Tips
- Know Your Process: Understand the typical amperage range for the welding you will be doing.
- Read the Manual: Every helmet is different; the manual is your best resource.
- Test Before Welding: Always perform a test strike to ensure the lens darkens correctly before starting a weld.
- Clean Sensors: Keep the sensors on the front of the helmet clean and unobstructed.
- Check Batteries: Ensure batteries (if applicable) are charged or functional.
- Don't Compromise Safety: If the lens is too dark to see your work area clearly before welding, check your helmet or ambient lighting. If it's not darkening sufficiently during welding, stop immediately and troubleshoot.
