A TIG welding arc is more difficult to detect than other welding processes, especially low amperage TIG welding. Where a MIG or Stick/MMA welding arc is typically bright and dynamic with fluctuations in intensity and size, a TIG arc is very stable and concentrated/focused. This makes it more difficult for welding helmet sensors to detect, and differentiate the arc from other light sources. And without reliable arc detection, the helmet will not switch/activiate when it should.

To be suitable for TIG welding, a welding helmet firstly needs to have reliable and proven technology with 'intelligent' arc sensing, developed by a experienced manufacturer. Some helmets, especially low cost models, do not have sufficient ability to detect TIG welding in real life conditions. Weldclass have been a leading supplier of welding helmets for over 40 years, using proven and constantly improving technology. Weldclass helmets from model Promax 350 and above have 4 or more arc sensors and are recommended for use with TIG.

For lower amperage TIG welding, ideally the lens should also have 4 arc sensors, which means that if even some of the sensors are not able to, then typically at least 1 sensor will detect the weld - for example if the arc is partically obscured. As shown in the chart above, Weldclass helmet models from Promax 500 and above are suitable for TIG welding down to 5 amps.