How to choose a welding helmet: auto-darkening or manual?

If you weld regularly, the most important choice is the helmet: an auto-darkening helmet leaves your hands free and your eyes protected even when you have to position the workpiece, while a manual helmet with a fixed lens (for example DIN 11) costs less but has to be lowered every time. As well as the helmet you need welding gloves (look for EN 12477), leather sleeves or an apron and, for clothing, ISO 11611. The collection also includes small tools, such as a chipping hammer, wire brush and multi-purpose pliers, which you need to finish the job.

The types

• Auto-darkening helmets: the filter darkens by itself when the arc is struck. They are solar powered, in many cases with an integrated or auxiliary battery. The collection includes the Awelco models, from the 1100-E to the 7000-E.
• Manual helmets: fixed filter, no electronics. They suit people who weld only occasionally or as a spare helmet.
• Welding goggles: they protect the eyes in light work, such as brazing or touch-ups, where a helmet would be excessive.
• Clear lenses and cover plates: they are fitted in front of the filter and protect it from spatter. When they are scratched or burnt, replace them.
• Leather gloves and sleeves: they protect hands and forearms from heat and spatter. Some gloves are leather, others Kevlar or reinforced.
• Aprons: in leather or other hard-wearing materials, they protect the chest and legs.
• Tools: chipping hammer to remove slag, wire brush to clean the weld bead, multi-purpose pliers to clean the nozzle and cut the wire, heat shield for gloves, protective curtain to screen off the welding area.

How to choose by job

The features to look at

• Optical class. It is shown as four digits, for example 1/1/1/2 or 1/1/1/1: these are the filter's quality ratings under EN 379, and the lowest value is the best. If you weld for many hours, choose a filter with low values.
• DIN shade. It indicates how dark the filter is: the higher it is, the darker. Auto-darkening models have an adjustable range, for example DIN 4/5-8/9-13; fixed helmets have a single value, such as DIN 11.
• Power supply. Solar, with an integrated or auxiliary battery in the more complete models: read the data sheet to find out whether the filter also works in low light.
• Standards. EN 175 for eye and face protection in welding; EN 12477 for gloves; ISO 11611 for clothing, with class 1 or 2 (class 2 for the most demanding situations).
• Material. Leather (also grain leather), Kevlar, cotton: leather resists spatter, Kevlar resists heat.
• Size. Gloves come in one size or in ranges such as L-XXL: check that they fit well so as not to lose sensitivity.

Common mistakes

• Saving money on the helmet. A filter with a poor optical class tires the eyes in the long run.
• Using a DIN shade that is too light. The arc dazzles you; choose the shade according to the process and the current.
• Forgetting to change the lenses. A scratched or burnt lens limits visibility and protects less.
• Welding in short sleeves. Spatter burns the forearms: you need leather sleeves or an ISO 11611 garment.
• Touching hot workpieces with bare hands. The multi-purpose pliers are made for exactly this.

Frequently asked questions

Is an auto-darkening or a manual helmet better?

If you weld often, the auto-darkening one: you do not have to raise and lower the helmet, and you can position the workpiece precisely. The manual one is enough for occasional use.

Which DIN shade should I use?

It depends on the process and the current: the higher the current, the darker the filter must be. Adjustable auto-darkening models let you adapt it.

How often should the lenses be changed?

When they are scratched, burnt or cloudy. There is no fixed interval: it depends on how much you weld.

Does an auto-darkening helmet also work without sunlight?

It depends on the model: many have a battery that works alongside the solar panel. Check the power supply on the data sheet.

You will find all the products in the Welders' Clothing, Protection and Accessories collection; for advice on the level of protection or for a quote, ask the AMES technicians.