What shade number is the shielded metal-arc welding electrode with sizes 3/16, 7/32 and 1/4 inch diameter?

What shade number is the shielded metal-arc welding electrode with sizes 3/16, 7/32 and 1/4 inch diameter?

• A. 10
• B. 11
• C. 12
• D. 13

Answer: (C)

The shade number you use for welding depends on how bright the arc will be, which comes from the current drawn by the electrode. As the electrode diameter increases, the current usually increases, making the arc brighter and requiring a darker filter to protect the eyes. For shielded metal arc welding with electrode diameters of 3/16, 7/32, and 1/4 inch, the standard helmet shade is 12. Lighter shades like 10 or 11 are used for smaller currents, while 13 is darker than necessary for these sizes, so 12 hits the right balance of protection and visibility.

The shade number you use for welding depends on how bright the arc will be, which comes from the current drawn by the electrode. As the electrode diameter increases, the current usually increases, making the arc brighter and requiring a darker filter to protect the eyes. For shielded metal arc welding with electrode diameters of 3/16, 7/32, and 1/4 inch, the standard helmet shade is 12. Lighter shades like 10 or 11 are used for smaller currents, while 13 is darker than necessary for these sizes, so 12 hits the right balance of protection and visibility.