EN169: welding filters
EN169 is the general European standard for filters for welding and similar activities, such as cutting. The EN169 standardisation includes the protection level and transmittance factors of the filters. Spectacle filters offer protection in various welding and cutting activities, such as light fire cutting, soldering, welding, oxy-fuel welding, arc gouging and plasma cutting. In the edge zone of the welding filter, there is a marking with the protection level of the filter. The overview below shows which filter level is required for certain welding activities.
Overview of filter protection levels
Overview of filter protection levels
Level | Filter protection |
Application & flow rate (l/h) |
Level 1,7 |
light beams, no shade code |
Not suitable for a welder, only suitable for a welder's assistant. |
Level 2 EN170 |
UV radiation |
light gas welding |
Level 3 EN170 |
UV radiation with good colour recognition |
light gas welding |
Level 4 EN171 |
infrared radiation |
Welding and brazing welding (< 70 l/h) |
Level 5 EN172 |
sunlight |
welding and soldering (70-200 l/h) |
Level 6 EN172 |
sunlight |
welding and soldering (200-800 l/h) |