Spares for one maker's welding helmet ranges: plates, covers, seals, head protectors and fittings, and how to match them to your helmet.
Why must the markings on a replacement cover plate match the helmet frame?
The eye protector is only as strong as its weakest part. Helmet maker instructions explain that the plate and the frame should carry the same impact-resistance letter, and that if they differ, the whole eye protector takes the lower protection level. The same instructions say the helmet must never be used without both its inside and outside plates.
When you order, read the marking on your old plate and on the frame, and compare it with the replacement. If you cannot find or read the marks, check the helmet manual or ask our team before ordering.
What do the letters on a helmet frame or plate, such as F or B, mean?
They show the level of impact resistance in the European eye protection marking system. F means low-energy impact (tested at up to 45 metres per second), B means medium-energy impact (up to 120 metres per second) and A means high-energy impact (up to 190 metres per second). If the letter is not followed by T, the protector should only be used against high-speed particles at room temperature.
The frame, the plates and the filter can each carry marks, and the lowest rating governs the whole protector. The exact meaning for your helmet is in its user instructions, so use them rather than guessing. Never replace a part with one carrying a lower mark.
What should I look for when inspecting my helmet's parts?
Check often, and before each shift where you can. Look for cracked, scratched, pitted or loose plates, a cracked or distorted shell, light leaking around the filter or at the edges, a worn or torn face seal, and a headband that no longer holds the helmet securely. Keep sensors and solar cells on an auto-darkening filter free of dirt.
Part life depends on use, cleaning, storage and maintenance, so there is no single interval. Replace anything damaged straight away, using the correct parts for your helmet, and report defects as the helmet's user instructions and your workplace procedures say.
How should I store helmet spares and how long do they last?
Keep PPE and its spares in a dry, clean cupboard when not in use, away from heat, sunlight and chemicals, and keep plates and filters in their packaging until needed so they do not scratch. HSE guidance on PPE says to use the correct replacement parts and follow the manufacturer's replacement schedule.
There is no single life for helmet parts: it depends on the maker, how much you weld, and how the parts are cleaned and stored. Replace damaged parts straight away, and check your instructions for any replacement schedule or storage limits that apply to your helmet.
How do I choose between spares for different helmet series?
Do not assume that parts are interchangeable across a maker's range. Series differ in shell shape, filter size and fixing, plate size and headgear, and parts are normally listed for particular series or helmet types. Look at the sub-category that matches your helmet, then confirm with the model information in the manual or on the helmet.
Where a part looks similar but you are unsure, compare the part number on the old part, or ask our team. Makers also advise using their own replacement parts, so check the maker's guidance before using any other part.
What is a face seal and when does it need replacing?
On a powered air helmet, the face seal sits between the helmet and your face. Its job is to keep the air supply and the protection working as the maker intends, so it must be fitted correctly and be in good condition. Maker instructions treat the seal as fit-critical.
Replace it when it is torn, stretched, stiff, hardened or no longer seals comfortably, and follow the maker's cleaning and replacement instructions. Fit and wearer factors such as facial hair also affect protection, so follow the instructions for your helmet and your risk assessment.