ESAB Sentinel A50 Air w/ EPR-X1 PAPR Parts FAQs
Spares and consumables for a powered air-purifying respirator welding helmet system: filters, batteries, chargers, cover lenses, magnifying lenses and comfort items.
How do I know when to change the PAPR filters?
Follow the maker's instructions first, because the interval depends on the filter and the work. The HSE says particle filters become clogged and make breathing difficult, and recommends changing them when they are damaged, visibly contaminated or harder to breathe through, and never after the shelf-life date. Marking the fitting date on the filter is good practice.
Powered units usually give an alarm for low airflow, which often means a clogged filter, and a low battery alarm. Pre-filters generally need changing more often than the main filter. If an alarm sounds, leave the work area and fix the cause before carrying on.
Can I clean or blow out a used PAPR filter and use it again?
No. Used particle filters should not be cleaned or reprocessed. Maker instructions for powered respirators warn that cleaning a filter with compressed air or water can damage it, and the damage may not be visible. A damaged filter can let fume through without you noticing.
If the airflow is low or the alarm sounds, replace the filter rather than trying to clear it. Keep a few spare filters and pre-filters on hand, so you are not tempted to keep using a clogged one. Wipe the outside of the blower housing as the manual describes and keep water out of the unit.
Does a particle filter protect against welding gases such as ozone?
No. The HSE states that particle filters do not protect against gas or vapour, and gas filters do not protect against particles. Welding fume is a particle hazard, so a standard particle filter deals with that, but it is not designed for gases produced by the arc or by solvents and coatings.
Some systems allow an optional gas filter or a carbon-based element for particular conditions. Whether one is suitable depends on your risk assessment, the work, and what the maker approves for your unit. Never fit a filter the maker does not list for the blower, and do not use any filter type in oxygen-deficient air.
Can I use a different battery or charger with my blower unit?
Only use the battery and charger the maker specifies for your unit. A maker's manual for a comparable powered respirator warns that its lithium-ion battery may only be charged with the original charger, because other chargers can cause serious injury. Check that the mains supply matches the charger, and use a charger meant for your battery type.
Charge in a safe, dry location away from the welding area and sparks, within the temperature range in the manual, and not in direct sunlight. If a battery gets abnormally hot, swells or is damaged, stop using it and follow the maker's instructions for disposal.