Being in a highly specialized and dangerous profession, welding professionals are always advised to wear protective gear including welding helmets to ensure that they do not meet any unfortunate accident.

While on a welding or repairs job, a welding helmet offers a welder the much needed protection to safeguard his eyes, face and neck against the risk of flash burns, sparks and excessive heat. A welding helmet has many benefits and the most important one is that it prevents arc eye and retina burns which are not only painful but can also even lead to a complete loss of vision. A welding helmet can protect ones eyes against both these conditions, arc eye and retina burns, where the cornea gets inflamed due to direct exposure to the highly concentrated ultraviolet and infrared rays emitted by the welding arc.

Apart from these safety benefits, welding helmets serve many other purposes as well. While increasing the safety for the welders, welding helmets also improve upon their confidence leading to better welding ability resulting in higher quality welds. A welding helmet ensures safety for welders and helps them to work freely and produce better results.

Selecting a suitable welding helmet can be difficult if one is not familiar with the latest lens technology and national safety standards. Some key points should be kept in mind before you decide upon the welding helmet to purchase as it is the most important piece of safety gear.

The first point to take note of is to decide what type of lens is the most suitable for you - standard or passive. Standard welding helmets are less expensive can prove difficult to manage for beginners as they might find it hard to correctly position the welding gun or the torch after lowering the welding helmet in place. One might also find a standard welding helmet hard to manage when welding in difficult place like under a car. Standard welding helmet may also cause a bit if neck discomfort.

Passive welding helmets or auto-darkening welding helmets offer better abilities to the welders. Passive welding helmets are equipped with electric filter lens and adjustable features to make welding an easier job. Most of the passive welding helmets are powered by a combination of battery and solar power and several light sensors are mounted near the lens to detect the welding arc. Once an arc is initiated, the lens gets darkened hundred times faster than a blink of an eye.

As such, it is necessary for welders to choose the best possible welding helmet and not compromise on the quality or functions of the welding helmet.