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Speedglas G5 Series

Speedglas G5 Series FAQs

Answers to common questions about choosing, setting up and looking after an auto-darkening welding helmet, including versions that can be used with a powered air respirator.

How do I choose the right shade on an auto-darkening welding helmet?icon-minus-redicon-plus-red

The right shade depends on the welding process and the current you are using. The harmful radiation is invisible, so the shade number matters even if the arc looks comfortable to the eye. The published shade tables give a range of numbers for each process and current, and they are guidance rather than a fixed rule, so personal preference and the task come into it too.

Start from the shade chart in the helmet's manual, then adjust within the recommended range. If you are unsure, go darker rather than lighter, and ask our team to help you match the helmet to your process.

How does an auto-darkening filter work compared with a fixed-shade lens?icon-minus-redicon-plus-red

A fixed-shade lens is always dark, so you have to flip it up to see what you are doing before you strike the arc. An auto-darkening filter reacts to the light of the arc and darkens within a tiny fraction of a second, then lightens again when the arc stops.

That means you can position the torch or electrode with the lens in its light state and keep the helmet down between welds. It also means the filter depends on its sensors seeing the arc and on its power supply, so check it works every time before you start welding.

Do I need a respirator as well as a welding helmet?icon-minus-redicon-plus-red

A welding helmet on its own does not protect your lungs. All welding fume, including from mild steel, can cause cancer, so when welding indoors use local extraction at the weld, with respiratory protection where your risk assessment says extraction alone is not enough. Respiratory protection is also needed for welding outdoors.

For arc welding, a battery-powered air-fed helmet that combines respiratory, eye and face protection is widely regarded as the best option for longer work. Your risk assessment and the manufacturer's instructions decide which combination is suitable for your job.

Is a powered air helmet better than a disposable mask?icon-minus-redicon-plus-red

For short jobs, the HSE says a disposable FFP3 mask or a reusable half mask with a P3 filter may be adequate for a clean-shaven wearer, but these do not protect against welding gases. For longer work, a battery-powered air-fed helmet is the better option.

A powered system also avoids a tight facial seal, which can become uncomfortable and tempt people to loosen or remove it. Tight-fitting masks need face-fit testing and a clean-shaven face, so a powered helmet can also be easier to use consistently. Check the data plate and manual for the protection level of your particular unit.

What should I check on a powered air helmet before each use?icon-minus-redicon-plus-red

The HSE says respiratory protective equipment must be thoroughly inspected before each use, and that regular examinations, maintenance and repairs of reusable equipment should be recorded.

In practice that means following the maker's pre-use routine: check the battery is charged, the filters and any spark guard are fitted correctly and undamaged, the air hose and connections are sound, and the airflow indicator or test shows the unit is supplying air as the manual describes. Do not weld if any check fails; replace or repair the part first.

How can I protect my eyes and the people around me from arc eye?icon-minus-redicon-plus-red

Arc eye is inflammation of the cornea caused by ultraviolet radiation from the arc. Symptoms such as red, watery, painful, gritty eyes often appear a few hours later, so you may not realise you were exposed until it is too late. Radiation is stronger the closer you are and the longer you are exposed.

Use a correctly shaded filter, and wear safety glasses with side protection under the helmet if your risk assessment calls for them. Screen the work area so colleagues passing by are shielded. If anyone develops symptoms, they should seek medical advice.