0 items in your basket
Total £ 0.00 EX VAT
Multi Process Welders
MIG Torches
TIG Torches
Welding Helmets
Welding Gloves & Clothing
MMA Electrodes
MIG Wire
Shop 55,000 Products
SERVICEDEPT.
RAPID BLOG
FEEDBACK
HIRE
Answers on choosing, fitting and looking after the spare parts for a belt-worn, powered-air welding helmet system with flow control.
Most parts of a powered-air system are consumable or wear items. The filters clog, the battery loses capacity, and the face seal, head cover and headband can stretch, split or harden. Lenses become pitted by spatter, the breathing hose can crack or leak, and belt straps and clips can fray.A sensible habit is to look over every part before each shift and replace anything damaged rather than waiting for a failure. HSE guidance lists changing filters, cleaning, checking straps and checking battery charge and flow rate as key maintenance tasks for powered respirators.
Start with the data plate or label on the fan unit and the helmet, then match what you read to the parts list in the user manual. Note the part number printed or moulded on the old part if there is one, and write down which generation of helmet and fan unit you have.Parts that look alike can differ in fit, so do not rely on appearance or on a part that merely seems to fit. The parts need to keep the equipment working as originally intended. If the markings are worn away, our team can help you work out the right part from the details you can read.
Ideally yes. HSE guidance on respiratory protective equipment says that replacement parts are best sourced from the original manufacturer, because that helps the equipment keep working as it was designed and tested to protect you.Mixing in parts that were not made for your system can change airflow, fit or the way the helmet seals, and you may not be able to tell by looking. Check the manual's parts list, and ask if you are unsure whether a part is the right one for your unit.
There is no single interval. Filters have limited capacity and can clog, making the airflow drop, so they should be changed when necessary and in line with the maker's instructions. Heavy fume, dusty conditions and long shifts all shorten filter life. A low-flow warning, shorter battery run time or reduced airflow are common signs that a filter is loaded.A particle filter does not remove welding gases. HSE notes that particulate filters will not protect against the gases in welding fume, so if gases are a concern, the maker's instructions and your risk assessment should decide the filter type.
Use only the battery and charger the maker specifies, and check the battery for damage before each use. Stop using a damaged pack. HSE guidance asks that battery-powered equipment is fully charged before use, and that battery charge is checked as part of routine maintenance.A battery that gives noticeably shorter run time, or will no longer hold a full charge, is nearing the end of its life. Nickel-metal-hydride packs generally keep best when kept clean, stored as the maker advises and not left deeply discharged. Charging limits and storage temperatures vary, so follow the manual.
Leave the work area immediately. HSE guidance says never to keep working if the fan stops or the flow rate falls. A loose-fitting helmet may still give some protection if the fan fails, but you should move to a safe area and find the cause.Common causes are a clogged filter, a flat or worn battery, a kinked or damaged breathing hose, or a poorly seated filter. Do not go back to welding until the fault is fixed and the flow has been checked as the manual describes.