S-line auto-darkening welding helmets

A welding helmet or welding mask is a must-have personal protective equipment (PPE) for any welder. The welding helmet gives the welder proper eye and face protection against sparks, heat and burns, ultraviolet radiation, and infrared and bright lights.

Choose your welding filter darkness based on the electric current you are using. Usually, in stick welding, the shade number is selected between 9 and 14, in MIG welding between 10 and 14, and in IG welding between 9 and 14.

Please refer to our Welding Safety catalogue for more detailed instructions on selecting the welding filter’s shade number for arc welding.

The shade number tells how dark the welding filter is. The bigger the number, the darker the filter is. Usually, in welding, the darkest shade number used is Din 13 but in some filter models, it can be Din 15.

If your eyes are exposed to bright lights and ultraviolet radiation during welding, your eyesight may damage permanently. Even a short exposure can cause the surface of the eye to burn, causing so-called ‘arc eye’ or ‘flash burn’. Ultraviolet and infrared radiation and visible elements, such as hot spatters, can damage the eyes and burn unprotected skin.

In arc welding, Din 8 is usually the lowest shade. The recommended shade number depends very much on the selected current of the welding arc and the basic material to be welded. Bright materials such as stainless steel or aluminum reflect more light so the shade number needs to be a little higher than in mild steel welding.

The welding helmet should fit so that it feels comfortable to use. By adjusting the helmet to as low to the user’s nose as possible you can achieve the best weight balance experience. When you balance the welding helmet as well as possible, the user's neck does not get as tired as if it was adjusted far from the nose.

A passive welding filter does not change its transparency. An active welding filter (Automatic Darkening Filter ADF) recognizes when the arc ignites and changes to a dark state so quickly that the human eye cannot see or feel it.

Welding can expose you to several hazards, but most risks can be minimized by using proper welding safety equipment.

The most common welding hazards are:

1. ultraviolet and infrared radiation
2. hot spatters and heat
3. exposure to toxic welding fumes and gases
4. electric shock.

Always wear proper personal protective equipment such as a welding helmet or a welding respirator, welding gloves, and clothing that fully covers your body.