Choosing a Welding Helmet

• Viewing area size: A Large lens size will increase your peripheral vision & scope of view.
• ADF Lens type: Check for true view/true colour Auto darkening options.
• Optical scoring ; The optical quality of the lens is signified by 4 digits under EN379.
• Consider tasks you will be undertaking, other than welding? Check for Grinding, plasma cutting or gas welding settings on the filter lens.
• Head top styles : If you are grinding regularly, you could opt for a two in one weld/grind flip top head top.
• Weight & comfort : A multi-adjustable padded headgear is a must. Reduce neck strain with a balanced lightweight, but durable head top.
• Sensitivity & delay settings on the auto darkening lens : Sensitivity is adjustable to different lighting environments, whilst delay increases the length of time the lens stays dark.
• Protecting your lungs : Welding fume is a carcinogen. Air Fed welding helmets offer air up to 50 times cleaner. When, considering your PAPR specification, check the 'Assigned Protection Factor' (APF)

With passive welding lenses now in the rear view mirror, auto-darkening lens technology is constantly evolving. When sensors on the helmet sense an arc start, the lens darkens in a fraction of a second.

Two particular features to consider are true/Natural colour and Variable colour. 

• True colour technology allows you to view the work piece when the helmet is in it's light state in a more natural and realistic colour, meaning you don't have to lift the head top.
• Variable colour technology has three colour settings to choose from; warm, standard & cool colour. (Green, blue or red). This feature offers a more realistic view of the welding arc, when the ADF lens is in it's dark state.

Optical lens scoring is assessed under the EN379 standard & given a four digit rating relating to categories, the lens quality scoring from 1 to 3 under each segment.

The optimum lens score is 1/1/1/1

The four digit categories are explained as follows;

• Optical Class (1st digit); Image clarity is assessed & minimal distortion is required for a class 1 score.
• Light diffusion (2nd digit); Contrast & sharpness is scored, with the lens ability to block stray light assessed.
• Homogeneity (3rd digit); From corner to corner of the lens an uninterrupted shade is expected, reducing strain on the eye.
• Angular dependence (4th digit); The lens must maintain a consistent shade from all angles.

• Budget & Optical lens scoring; Generally the more you spend, the better quality the welding lens technology. This is measured by EN379 standard, the best score being 1/1/1/1.
• Side windows; Do you want peripheral vision or will that distract from the job at hand?
• Durability; is it robust enough to withstand high impact? What happens to the welding filter if it's dropped?
• Grinding Capability; Some helmets incorporate a clear grinding visor underneath the welding mask. Typically in the form of a dual use flip up top, it's a real time saver and acts as a two in one head top.
• Spectacle Wear; Some helmets offer an adjustable rack on the headband to allow more room for spectacles. Check if the manufacturer offers magnification lenses which eliminate the need for wearing glasses.
• Consumables; Are the inner and outer protection plates readily available and easy to fit?

• Amount of Protection ; Are you MIG or TIG welding? You may want a deeper head shell for added protection in high amp MIG applications.
• Automatic Park ; When you lift the helmet back, will it stay in the upright position?
• Viewing Area ; A lot of manufacturers offer different sizes. The bigger the better!
• Battery Life ; The higher quality auto darkening helmet filters are powered by replaceable batteries. The majority of the solar powered models have batteries that cant be removed.
• Versatility; Thinking about TIG welding or grinding and plasma cutting? Select the appropriate filter lens. Shade 3 is ideal for grinding, 5 perfect for plasma cutting, whilst low amp TIG welding may require more sensitive settings for the arc sensors.
• Headgear; Is it comfortable and importantly the level of adjustment. Can you move the head top away from your face.

With HSE now classifying all welding fume as a carcinogen, the emphasis on protecting operators with RPE has increased. The pointers above hold true for the head top, but what about the PAPR (powered air purifying respirator). 

• You should consider the weight of the PAPR unit.
• Does its ability to provide constant air flow changed, when the filter becomes clogged.
• Does an alarm sound when the filter needs changing?
• Most batteries have a standard run time of 8 hours per day, but check for heavy duty options giving you 12.
• Make sure the particulate filtration level is minimum P3.
• Gas filters are often required, when more noxious substances are present in the weld fume. Does the PAPR have this option?
• Check the 'Assigned Protection Factor (ADF)' of the air fed helmet/PAPR unit. It is an important factor with 20 considered the minimum level of protection and 40 the gold standard.