Describe a typical VT setup for weld inspection.

• A. Oblique lighting from multiple angles; direct lighting to weld toes; magnification or borescope as needed
• B. Direct overhead lighting only
• C. No magnification is ever used
• D. Lighting should be turned off during inspection

Answer: (A)

In weld inspection by visual testing, lighting geometry and optical aids are essential for revealing flaws. Oblique lighting from multiple angles helps bring out surface irregularities because the raised or recessed features cast shadows when light hits at steep angles, making cracks, porosity, misalignment, and other defects more visible. Direct lighting aimed at the weld toes provides strong contrast at the edges where cracks or lack of fusion often initiate, helping you see transitions between weld metal and base metal clearly. Using magnification or a borescope as needed lets you inspect fine details that are too small to detect with the naked eye or in hard-to-reach areas, such as tiny cracks along the root or within the bead. Lighting should not be turned off, and relying on only overhead lighting gives poor contrast and can miss defects.