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.
What are the outer and inner cover lenses for and when should I change them?
The clear outer and inner cover lenses sit either side of the filter and take the spatter and scratches that would otherwise mark it. A welding-equipment maker's manual calls them consumables that must be replaced regularly, and says to replace protection plates that are scratched, damaged or built up with spatter.
Replace them when they are scratched, pitted, cracked or covered with spatter so that your view is impaired. They should be changed far more often than the filter, which the same manual says needs no further maintenance if used properly. Always use parts specified for your helmet.