This can range from deposit of carbon within the torch tip, valves, and hoses, which effects their operation, to substantial and expensive damage to the regulator and possibly the cylinder. A flashback may result in serious personal injury. A Flashback Arrestor is a device designed to quench a flashback. Some models also incorporate an automatic shut off value, to stop the gas flow, and some can be reset by the user. The main factor in choosing the model of flashback arrestor is the required gas flow rate, for example, when the welding equipment is used for cutting.
Flashbacks can and do occur due to - Excessive or incorrect pressures.
The gas at the higher pressure flows into the lower pressure line. This can occur if incorrect pressures are used or if incompatible items of equipment are connected together. A leak from a regulator, hose or connection which results in a drop in pressure, and gas from the higher pressure line back-feeds into the other line. Leaking values allowing gas to mix when the equipment is not in use. Lighting up with both torch control values open, but one cylinder closed.