Have you ever wondered just how bright a welding arc can be? As a welder, you know that welding arcs are extremely bright and need to be protected from the human eye. But what exactly is the intensity of light produced by a welding arc?
Welding arcs create an incredibly bright arc flash when an electric current is passed through an electrode and filler metal. This intense light has been measured at approximately 12.9 to 38.7 million candles per square inch, about 1000 times brighter than natural sunlight!
Contents
- 1 Introduction to welding arcs
- 2 Factors affecting arc intensity
- 3 How bright is a welding arc: a comparison of different types
- 4 Approaching & estimating arc intensity
- 5 Safety recommendations to prevent UV radiation in welding
- 6 Conclusion
- 7 FAQ
- 7.1 What are the types of arc welding radiation?
- 7.2 How bright is a welding arc?
- 7.3 Is welding hotter than the Sun?
- 7.4 Is arc flash brighter than the sun?
- 7.5 How bright is a MIG arc?
- 7.6 How far away can welding hurt your eyes?
- 7.7 What does arc eye feel like?
- 7.8 What happens if you look at a welding arc?
Introduction to welding arcs
The welding arc is a powerful and essential tool for metalworking and fabrication. While a traditional weld needs pre-heating, the welding process uses an electric current to generate an intense heat that melts base metal, fusing it into a single piece.
The welding arc produces large volumes of UV radiation.
The intensity of this heat comes from the bright arc at the tip of the welding rod or wire. This luminous spark has a brightness equivalent to approximately 64,516–322,580 lumens per square inch — that’s equal to 100–500 times that of a 100-watt light bulb in the same sized area!
For welding purposes, this level of brightness is essential to provide enough heat produced to melt metals and create strong bonds between them.
It is also clear that welding arcs don’t look the same as direct sunlight does. The welding angle is very bright. These substances emit harmful ultraviolet light so protecting them is required.
The use of hydrogen and oxygen in the welding process produces 5 Wm-2 UVB or UV radiation emitted in an area of up to one meter. In contrast noon sunlight produces lower electromagnetic radiation levels.
Factors affecting arc intensity
The welding arc is incredibly bright due to a combination of factors.
First, the amount of energy produced by the electric spark between the workpiece and electrode is incredibly high. This energy can reach up to 55,000 Amperes in some cases.
This intense current generates a great deal of heat which, when combined with the other components of the arc, results in a very bright light. The temperature of a welding arc can reach up to 10,832°F (6,000°C ).
Welders need to take into account not just the extreme temperatures produced but also the intense brightness associated with arcs. Your welding machine also releases ultraviolet and infrared light as it creates the arc.
With proper safety measures in place such as skin protection and proper eye protection, however, welders can safely enjoy this captivating phenomenon while they work.
How bright is a welding arc: a comparison of different types
Welding arcs vary in brightness, and understanding how bright a welding arc is can help you choose the right method for your project.
There are three main types of arcs: shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), gas metal arc welding (GMAW), and gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW). Let’s compare the brightness of these arcs, considering visible light and UV radiation.
Shielded Metal
SMAW uses an electric current to create an arc between the electrode and the metals being joined.
This welding arc produces a bright visible light, with an intensity of up to 10,000 candelas per square inch, making it one of the brightest types of arcs.
Gas Metal
In contrast, GMAW has a lower intensity, averaging around 5,000 candelas per square inch.
This process creates an electric arc between a continuously fed wire electrode and the metals being worked on. When comparing welding arc brightness, GMAW is less intense than SMAW.
Gas Tungsten
GTAW, as the name implies, uses a tungsten electrode to form an arc with the metals being worked on.
The welding arc produced has an intensity reaching up to 9,000 candelas per square inch, making it almost as bright as a welding arc from SMAW.
Welders must be aware of the UV radiation emitted by these arcs and use appropriate eye protection to safeguard their eyes from damage.
To summarize, the brightness of a welding arc differs among SMAW, GMAW, and GTAW, with SMAW producing the brightest arc and GMAW being the least bright.
Approaching & estimating arc intensity
When it comes to appraising the intensity of a welding arc, it can be difficult to tell just how bright is a welding arc.
Arc intensity is affected by several factors, such as the type of metal being fused and the angle at which the TIG welding is occurring.
The amount of heat generated depends on the length of the weld and the temperature ratio.
That said, some general estimates can be made to help assess the brightness of an arc:
- A mild steel welding arc’s temperature typically ranges from around 10,000-18,000 candlepower.
- 6010 electrodes tend to produce arcs between 15,000-30,000 candlepower.
- Stainless steel arcs usually remain below 10,000 candlepower.
- Aluminum arcs may reach up to 30,000 candlepower.
The best way to determine the intensity of an arc is by using a light meter in line with safety precautions and eye protection.
However, understanding these figures can help you prepare for any welding job without ever having to step foot near the weld pool.
Safety recommendations to prevent UV radiation in welding
UV rays cause skin cancer in humans. In a variety of occupations such as welding, employees can be exposed to nonsolar sources.
UV rays are used to increase ocular skin cancers. Workers who have had high exposure to ultraviolet radiation should see eye specialists for eye health checks regularly.
According to the International Agency for Cancer Research, welders have an increased risk of skin cancer due to exposure to ultraviolet rays for long periods that can cause skin burns.
In the last decade, the increase in man-made pollutants has resulted in increased UVA radiation which is one of the skin hazards.
It can cause more skin cancer due to direct exposure to UV radiation as well as radiation that is reflected from metal surfaces, walls, and ceilings.
How do I protect my skin from UV radiation?
You need at least SPF 30 to keep your skin protected. UVB / UV radiation is mutagenic and carcinogenic, it causes mutations and causes the formation of cells.
Fixed shade lens welding helmet
In fixed shade welding helmets the lenses shade levels are usually 10 shades. Fixed shade welding helmets can’t adjust for the intensity of angle light.
If a welding helmet provides no adequate protection at arc angles, seamers can get arc eye damage.
A welding helmet is a perfect accessory for welders.
It’s ideal for small welding tasks such as fixing a steel fence in the home.
But these types of welding helmets are not a very good choice for a professional welding job in which light intensity increases dramatically.
Welding goggles
You should have welding goggles that can be aimed at blocking the glare. This decreases ultraviolet and infrared light reaching your eye.
Visible light from welding processes is very bright and can overwhelm the ability of the iris of the eye to close sufficiently and rapidly enough to limit the brightness of the light reaching the retina.
Conclusion
The welding arc is not only an essential tool in the welding processes, but it is also an embodiment of the intensity and power supply required to create strong, reliable welds.
The welding arc brightness is the result of a complex combination of physics and chemistry, and yet it somehow remains one of the most essential elements of a successful welding job.
Understanding the fundamental principles behind the welding arc, such as the shape of the arc, the amount of current in an AC/DC circuit, and the arrangement of the flux material, can help you create the perfect welding arc and produce strong, reliable welds.
As long as you can provide a bright enough spark, the electric arc will do the rest. Just remember to follow safety precautions.
FAQ
An intense, bright light is the result of a welding arc. But how bright is a welding arc? Let’s explore the questions and answers frequently asked about the welding arc’s intensity.
What are the types of arc welding radiation?
In arc welding radiation has 3 different types: visible light, ultraviolet radiation (UV light), infrared light emitted, and visible.
All types of infrared radiation have different effects on the eye and skin, and the risk is significant.
All types of radiation emitted by typical welding arc may cause serious health consequences.
How bright is a welding arc?
The brightness of a welding arc is measured in terms of intensity or lumens, ranging from 1 to 100 lumens.
The average welding arc can bring an incredible amount of brightness, reaching up to 10,000 lumens or more!
Is welding hotter than the Sun?
Welding produces around 300 K and the Sun’s surface temperature is 5900 K. If one measures arc light with radiant light, welding arc compared to the Sun would be the uncontested loser.
It is proportionally matched with fourth powers of arbitrary absolute temperature; therefore a Sun of 8.4 times brighter.
Is arc flash brighter than the sun?
Welding arc compared are lighter and brighter than a solar plate, and louder than jets propelling metal shrapnel to speeds as high as 1000 km per second.
How bright is a MIG arc?
Unlike what some people say MIG welding arcs aren’t as bright as the sun. Exposure to MIG welding arcs is brighter and more visible.
It emits light ultraviolet which is harmful to the eye and skin if you expose yourself.
How far away can welding hurt your eyes?
Depending on whether arcs are the main cause of UV radiation, as well as IR radiation, workers at this location may have eye damage as much as 50 feet from the surface of the building.
What does arc eye feel like?
Symptoms of arc eye typically begin several hours following exposure when the eyes turn red and weary. The light will affect them.
What happens if you look at a welding arc?
After heavy exposure to ultraviolet light, it will cause Flash burn. This occurs from any kind of ultraviolet light however welding torch is commonly used for welding. This is what is called a welding eye or arc eye. Thermal burns look like eyeburn but they can damage both eyes.
