Datasheet

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Commonly Asked Questions
Are fumes hazardous to my health?
Yes, most industrial fumes contain more dangerous chemicals than cigarette fumes. Solder fumes, for
example can cause minor respiratory symptoms but also occupational asthma, and skin allergies. Lead-free
solders often contain fluxes made up even of harsher chemicals. Check the safety data sheets which identify
these health hazards.
Should I buy a volume extraction system with exhaust arms or a tip extraction unit?
Exhaust arms (volume extraction) as well as tip extraction are efficient in removing fumes when used properly. This is a
choice of personal preferences. Pros and Cons are:
Volume Extraction
Tip Extraction
Pro
 No attachments on solder iron needed
 No maintenance on tubing required
 Effective fume extraction when properly
maintained
 Less expensive in most cases
Con
 Requires to work within the extraction
envelope of the exhaust arm or
repositioning of the arm
 Extraction tube on solder iron may hinder the
work
 Requires periodic cleaning of vacuum tubes
Which exhaust arms should I buy - BVX-arms or Omniflex arms?
BVX-arms are in general suitable for most solder applications such as repair work.
Omniflex arms have almost double the airflow capacity and are better suited when you have larger volumes of
fumes and if you need a larger extraction envelope.
How long of a connection hose can I use?
Our recommendations are:
 BVX-200 systems: max. 3.6m (12’)
 MFX-2200 systems:
o max. 7.5m (25’) when using all connection ports
o max. 15m (50’) when using only 3 or less of the connection ports
 BTX-208: max. 30m (100’)
The airflow rate is best with short hoses and declines with longer hoses. When staying within the above
parameters the rate of decline is within approximately 10%.
When do I need a HEPA filtration and when Activated Carbon filtration?
HEPA filters are needed if the air contaminants are mostly particulates. Solder fumes are to 95% particulates.
Activated carbon is used to absorb gases in molecular form such as vapors from solvents, adhesives, etc.
These vapors cannot be filtered by HEPA filtration.
When do I need to change my filters?
Pre-filters and HEPA filters do not loose their filtration efficiency when in use. These particulate filters however
clog up and reduce the airflow and thus the fume removal. When you notice that the fume removal is no longer
sufficient, replace first the pre-filter and then the HEPA filter. Most of our units have also a monitor the filter
condition and indicate when a certain filter blockage is reached.
Carbon filters cannot be accurately monitored by low-cost sensors. In the case of nuisance applications,
change the filter when noticing an odor. In the case of applications where the concentration levels are
exceeding permissible exposure levels, consult your safety engineer.