Chameleon mask: how to choose, filters, adjustments and what they are for

Chameleon type welding helmets are so named because the light filter automatically changes the degree of darkening depending on the intensity of the light flux. It is much more comfortable than a regular face shield or an old style mask with a replaceable filter. Putting on a chameleon, you can see everything well even before welding: the filter is almost transparent and does not interfere with your work. When the arc is ignited in a matter of seconds, it darkens, protecting the eyes from burns. After the arc goes out, it becomes transparent again. You can carry out all the necessary manipulations without removing the mask, which is much more convenient than raising and lowering the protective screen and many times better than holding a shield in your hand. But an extensive selection of copies of different prices can be confusing: what is the difference, and which one is better? How to choose a chameleon mask will be described below.

Light filter in a chameleon: what is it and which is better

That small glass that is installed on the welding helmet is a real miracle of science and technology. It contains the latest achievements in optics, microelectronics, liquid crystals and solar energy. This is the “glass”. In fact, this is a whole multi-layered pie, which consists of the following elements:

• liquid crystal cells (several layers – the more, the better);
  

• UV filter;
• infrared filter;
• polarizing films;
• welding arc detection sensors (from 2 to 4, the more the better);
• protective glass;
• batteries (solar batteries and / or lithium batteries).

The main and main advantage of the chameleon welding mask is that even if it did not have time to work, it will not miss ultraviolet and infrared radiation (if the mask was lowered). And the degree of protection from these harmful effects does not depend on the settings. In any case and with any settings, you are protected from these types of harmful influences.

But this is only if the appropriate filters are present in the “pie” and they are of the proper quality. Since it is impossible to check this without special devices, you have to focus on certificates. And they must have masks. Moreover, only two centers can issue them on the territory of Russia: VNIIS and FGBU at the All-Russian Research Institute of Labor Protection and Economics. To be sure that the certificate is genuine, its number can be found on the official website of the federal service of Rosakkredditatsiya here at this link.

Enter the certificate number in the appropriate field and get the date of validity, information about the applicant, manufacturer. A small note: the abbreviation RPE stands for “optical action personal protective equipment.” This is the name of the welder’s mask in bureaucratic language.

The most important thing is that you make sure that this product (compare, by the way, both the name and the model) is safe for your health.

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Classification of automatic welding filters

Since the light filter and its quality is a key element in this product, the choice of a chameleon mask must begin with it. All its indicators are classified according to the EN379 standard and must be displayed on its surface through a fraction.

Now in more detail what is hidden behind these numbers and what they should be. Each of the positions can contain a number from 1, 2, 3. Accordingly, “1” is the best option – the first class, “3” is the worst – the third class. now about in which position which characteristic is displayed and what it means.

Optical class

It reflects how clearly and without distortion the picture will be visible to you through the filter. Depends on the quality of the protective glass (film) used and the build quality. If the first place is “1”, the distortion will be minimal. If the value is greater, you will see everything, as if through a crooked glass.

Light scattering

Depends on the purity and quality of the optical crystals used. Shows the degree of “turbidity” of the transmitted picture. You can compare it with wet car glass: as long as there are no meetings, the drops almost do not interfere. As soon as a light source appears, everything blurs. To avoid this effect, it is necessary that the second position be “1”.

Uniformity or homogeneity

Shows how uniformly the filter is shaded in different parts. If there is a unit in the third position, the difference can be no more than 0,1 DIN, 2 – 0,2 DIN, 3 – 0,3 DIN. It is clear that it will be more comfortable with uniform dimming.

Angle dependency

Reflects the dependence of dimming on the viewing angle. Here, too, the best value is “1” – the first class changes the dimming by no more than 1 DIN, the second – by 2 DIN and the third – by 3DIN.

From all this it is clear that the more units in the characteristic of the light filter, the more comfortable it will be for you to work in a mask. This is what you need to focus on when choosing a chameleon welder mask. Professionals prefer at least such parameters 1/1/1/2. Such masks are expensive, but even with prolonged use, the eyes do not get tired.

Amateur welders, for work from time to time, can get by with simpler light filters, but the 3rd class is considered the “last century”. Therefore, it is probably not worth buying masks with such filters.

And one moment. Sellers usually refer to this entire classification with one term “Optical class”. It’s just that this wording quite accurately reflects the essence of all the characteristics.

There are a few more chameleon settings that allow you to fine-tune the dimming mode for a given situation. They can be located inside, on the light filter, or they can be taken out in the form of handles on the left side of the mask. These are the following options:

• Dimming adjustment. Allows you to change the level of the current dimming. You can lighten/darken without interrupting your work if the knob is outside. If it is located inside, you will need to stop, remove the mask and turn the regulator. For non-professionals, this is normal: they do not need to work out. But even the pros do not always like external adjustments: they can hurt something.
  

• Sensitivity adjustment. Located inside the mask, on the filter. With its help, you can set what the filter will work on: only on the arc, or also on bright light sources. If you work indoors, you can set the sensitivity to high: the filter will darken when an arc occurs. Since there are no other variable light sources, it will not twitch. Outdoors, with high sensitivity, it can also work on sun glare. So here you have to reduce the sensitivity.
• Mask clearing delay. It is necessary so that the eyes do not receive a light shock from hot metal after welding is completed. If there is no delay, the filter becomes lighter immediately and the bright glow of the weld pool hits the eyes. It is not dangerous or fatal, but unpleasant. The dimming delay allows you to “push back” the moment of filter clarification for some time. Also, this delay does not allow the filter to become clarified if you weld with an arc break or when the electrode sticks. So an adjustment is needed.

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Chameleon mask how to choose

In addition to the filter parameters, there are many other settings and features that can affect the choice.

• Number of arc detection sensors. There can be 2, 3 or 4 of them. They react to the appearance of an arc. Visually, they can be seen on the front panel of the mask. These are small round or square “windows” on the surface of the filter. For amateur use, 2 pieces are enough, for professionals – the more the better: if some of them are blocked (blocked by some object when welding in a difficult position), then the rest will react.
  

• Filter response speed. The spread of parameters here is large – from tens to hundreds of microseconds. When choosing a mask for home welding, drill one whose chameleon will darken in no later than 100 microseconds. For professionals, the time is less: 50 microseconds. We sometimes do not notice light strikes, but their result is tired eyes, and professionals need them all day. So the requirements are tougher.
• Filter dimensions. The larger the glass, the more visibility you get. But the size of the filter greatly affects the cost of the mask.
• Smooth or stepwise adjustment of the degree of dimming. Better – smooth. If the filter is darkened / clarified, it will jump, you will quickly get tired. In addition, he washes to start “blinking” from glare, which will not please.
• The initial degree of dimming and the range of adjustment. The lighter the filter in its original state, the better you will be able to see before welding. It is also desirable that there be two dimming ranges: to small degrees up to 8DIN when working with argon or when manual arc welding in low light. Also, a smaller blackout may be needed for a person of age. To work with inverters at high currents and in good lighting, dimming up to 13 DIN is required. So it’s better if there are two modes: 5-8DIN/8-13DIN.
• Power supply. Most auto-darkening welding helmets have two types of power cells: solar and lithium batteries. Such a combined power supply is the most reliable. But at the same time, the lithium battery compartment must open so that it is possible to replace failed batteries. In some cheap masks, the batteries are integrated: you can only remove them by cutting the plastic (which sometimes our craftsmen do).
  

• Weight. Masks can weigh from 0,8 kg to 3 kg. If you have to wear a three-kilogram weight on your head for seven or eight hours, by the end of the shift your neck and head will be like wooden ones. For amateur welding, this parameter is not very critical, although it is also not at all comfortable to work in a heavy mask.
• Ease of attachment to the head. There are two systems for attaching the headband and the shield itself, but for these masks they are almost unimportant: you don’t need to raise / lower the mask every time. It can be omitted throughout the work. The important thing is how many adjustments there are and how tightly they allow you to fit the headband. It is also important that all these straps do not press, do not rub, so that the welder is comfortable.
• The presence of an adjustment that allows you to move the shield away from the face. This is important if you need glasses for normal vision. Then the shield must be carried away from the face to fit your lenses.

Of the useful, but optional modes, there is also the ability to switch poppies from welding mode to grinding mode. With this switch, you actually turn off the power of the filter, your mask becomes a regular shield.

Read about choosing a welding machine for your home or garden here. And you can try the purchased mask in the manufacture of a metal barbecue.

Brands and manufacturers

You know how to choose a chameleon mask for welding, but how to navigate among the mass of manufacturers? In fact, everything is not very difficult. There are trusted brands that always supply quality products and confirm their warranty obligations. Here are not very many:

• SPEEDGLAS from Sweden;
• OPTREL from Switzerland;
• BALDER from Slovenia;
• OTOS from South Korea;
• TECMEN from China (don’t be surprised, the masks are really good).

For home use, choosing a chameleon mask is not easy. On the one hand, it is necessary that it be of high quality, but obviously not everyone can afford to pay 15-20 thousand for it, and it is not cost-effective. Therefore, European manufacturers will have to be forgotten. They even produce good masks, but their prices are no less than $70.

There are many Chinese masks on the market at very low cost. But buying them is risky. If you want a trusted Chinese brand, TECMEN is the one for you. Here they have really certified factory-quality chameleon masks. The model range is quite wide, prices – from 3 thousand rubles to 13 thousand rubles. There are first-class filters (1/1/1/2) and a little worse, with all the settings and adjustments. After the update, even the cheapest mask for 3000 rubles (TECMEN DF-715S 9-13 TM8) has a replaceable battery, an enlightenment delay from 0,1 to 1 sec, smooth adjustment and a “grinding” mode of operation. The photo below shows its technical characteristics. It’s hard to believe, but it costs only 2990 rubles.

Owners speak well of Resant welding masks. There are not very many models, but MS-1, MS-2 and MS-3 are a good choice for little money (from 2 thousand rubles to 3 thousand rubles).

Resant MS-1 and MS-3 masks have smooth adjustment, which is undoubtedly more convenient. But in the chameleon MS-1 there are no sensitivity adjustments. They are unlikely to suit professionals, but are quite suitable for home use.

Very good masks are produced by the South Korean company OTOS (Otos). It has slightly higher prices than the ones above, but there are two relatively inexpensive models: OTOS MACH II (W-21VW) for 8700 rubles and ACE-W i45gw (Infotrack ™) for 13690 rubles.

Read about how to choose electrodes for welding with an inverter.

Operation of the welding chameleon

The main requirement for the care of the mask: the light filter must be protected: it is easily scratched. Therefore, it is impossible to put the mask “face down”. Wipe it only with a completely clean and soft cloth. If necessary, you can dampen the cloth with clean water. DO NOT wipe with alcohol or any solvents: the light filter is covered with a protective film that dissolves in these liquids.

There is one more feature of any welding chameleons: at low temperatures they begin to “slow down”. That is, they work with a delay, and in both directions – both for darkening and for enlightenment. The feature is very unpleasant, so it will not work normally in them in winter even if the operating temperature is indicated from -10 ° C, as on TECMEN DF-715S 9-13 TM8. Already at -5 ° everyone cannot darken in time. So in this regard, OTOS turned out to be more honest, indicating the starting operating temperature from -5 ° C.

Finally, watch a video on how to choose a chameleon mask for welding.