I think the only test that  matters would be to strike an arc in front of the helmet and observe the darkening of the lens without staring directly at the arc.

All the rest is academic. There is no telling what part of the light spectrum or what intensity the helmet sensor is set up to detect, so flashlight tests etc may not give the true story.

An auto darkening helmet sensor should ideally be sensitive to UV light because UV is the most damaging. They will typically have sensitivity to visible light too.

Does the LED light have separate LEDs for the high and low settings? White LEDs typically use a near-UV LED to excite a white phosphor. Perhaps the low LED “leaks” more near UV than the high one.

Robert.

I’ve noticed this sort of behaviour with mine when exposed to light from LEDs – Robert’s suggestion seems a plausible explanation.

If it fails to darken, its going to be immediately obvious and the brief exposure seems unlikely to do any serious damage

On 13 July 2024 at 13:06 MikeK Said:

Thanks for the replies.

While an actual arc would test the helmet, I didn’t want to risk my eyes if it fails. …

Don’t look through the lens at the arc while testing it. Hold the mask down closer to the arc, turned a bit sideways so the solid plastic mask obstructs the direct line of sight to the arc but you can see a bit of lens off to one side of the arc. Or just strike the arc off to one side of the field of vision through the lens. You will soon see if it darkens when you strike an arc, without having to look at the arc.

I seem to remember some one on HERE suggesting a simple test for an auto darkening helmet is to point the TV controller at it. I could be wrong, so what about a spark from a gas welder spark ignition device.

I agree the test is faulty.   The wavelength and intensity profile of the light produced by LEDs is different to that spewed out by an arc, with the latter being powerful in the invisible ultra-violet.   UV is dangerous because it burns eyes even though it’s invisible.   So welding auto darkeners react to UV rather than ordinary visible light.

Hopper’s test is good because it uses a real arc.

Dave

On 14 July 2024 at 08:57 John Doe 2 Said:

I don’t think I would ever trust any auto darkening welding mask.

Only takes one split second failure of the darkening mechanism to ‘draw’ a permanent line on your retinas from the arc. And this could make driving for example difficult or impossible. I would not want risk it.and

And yet millions of people around the world use them every day.

“UV/IR Interference Filter
The first layer of an ADF is the UV/IR filter, also known as the band pass filter. It sits right behind the replaceable outside cover lens and provides constant protection from dangerous UV/IR radiation. So, even if the auto-darkening function fails to darken the view, you are safe from a serious eye injury. “

https://www.alphaweld.com.au/blog/55-how-do-auto-darkening-welding-helmets-work-

Hi, well I’ve been using auto-darkening lens in my welding hoods for over forty years without any problems, and have a good many direct flashes, both at work and at home, but haven’t had any reports of any burns by my optician. The operation of them can be checked in most cases by looking at an illuminated AC filament light bulb, and many fluorescent tubes will activate them to some degree, but of course these are going out of use these days. One of the worst things you can do when arc welding, is not wearing gloves, and having any of your skin uncovered, as over a long period of time, it will do more damage than sunburn.

Regards Nick.

That phone idea sounds so absurd I can’t help thinking it an attempt at a joke.

It could very well blind the phone itself, though that’s immeasurably better then blinding yourself, but I would also suggest the “paddle-shaped board” is not proper protection against reflected glare or spatter.

As you say, an “idiots at work” video…..

.

I do use an auto-darkening helmet for the little welding I do, and have found if I weld outdoors in bright sunlight the lens lets just enough light through to aim the rod or nozzle.

My prescription spectacle supplier fits UV filter coating to all lenses as standard equipment these days. No idea if it is up to protecting against a full arc flash but must be some help in conjunction with the UV filter on welding hoods.

My first brush with Arc Eye was due to the walls of the building the work ( welding ) was being done in being painted white, just being there was enough ! At 2am I was in the bathroom trying to see what was causing the pain and discomfort – then the penny dropped ! Be Warned ! Noel.

I would certainly not trust spectacles to do more than dim an accidental flash slightly, if that. They are designed to reduce reflected glare not direct, extremely bright, incident light, of any wavelength.

I don’t trust those hand-held masks either, and not just because they demand a lot of co-ordination and care to use. Though your eyes are the most important you also need protect your skin, and only a proper, wrap-round welding mask whether static or automatic, can do that.