ESAB F20 60 x 110 Parts FAQs
Filter lenses, cover lenses, visors, shells and headgear for a passive-filter flip-up welding helmet, and how to choose the right ones.
Do replacement lenses and shells need to meet a standard?
Yes. Eye and face protectors for welding are covered by the EN ISO 16321 family of standards, with the welding-specific requirements in part 2. EN ISO 16321 is replacing the older EN 166 family for new certification.
Welding eye protection, including filters that prevent arc eye, should conform to the relevant British and European standards. Check the markings and the manual for the part you are fitting, as older products may carry earlier markings.
How do I choose the right shade of filter lens?
The shade you need depends on the welding process and the current. A reference chart in a helmet manual shows ranges for each process, and it says the next highest or next lowest shade can be used depending on the conditions. The current ranges in the standard are for guidance only, so the operator's preference and the task also count.
An assistant working close to the arc should use a suitable filter too. The shade is marked on the filter, so you can check that a replacement matches. Follow the manual for your helmet and your risk assessment.
Why must I replace a cracked or scratched filter straight away?
The filter is what stops harmful ultraviolet and infrared light reaching your eyes. Arc eye is inflammation of the cornea caused by ultraviolet from the arc, with symptoms such as sand in the eye usually appearing hours later. Prolonged infrared exposure can also gradually damage the lens of the eye.
A welding-equipment maker's manual says to inspect the helmet and glass for marks, cracks, pitting or scratches before work, because damaged surfaces reduce vision and impair protection. Do not weld with a damaged filter or protection plate; fit the correct replacement made for your helmet.
Does a welding helmet protect me from fume?
No. A helmet and its lenses protect the face and eyes from the arc, spatter and radiation, but they do not clean the air you breathe. For arc welders, a powered or supplied-air respirator that combines respiratory, eye and face protection, with a protection factor of at least 20, is the best option.
So parts for this type of helmet cover the eye and face side only. Use fume extraction and suitable respiratory protection as set out in your risk assessment, and check that anything you wear with the helmet is compatible with it.