Often Carried by high-ranking officers and Imperial heroes, shimmering refractor fields refract incoming energy around their bearer, batting aside blasts and swinging blades that would otherwise lay them low.
(Codex: Astra Militarum. "Special Issue Wargear". 6th Edition. digital)
From the above quote we know the following:
1. it's at least somewhat visible due to the "shimmering" refactor field surrounding the user.
2. it does not necessarily protect the user from a non-swinging blade. Do with that as what you will.
Refractor Field: This is an all-enclosing energy field that partially refracts energy around the bearer, protecting him from otherwise fatal damage. (Codex: Imperial Guards. "Other Equipment". 5th Edition. p71)
From this quote we know it's all-enclosing. So it'd at least be reasonable for someone to deactivate it before shaking someone else's hand, especially with those dazzling lights that can give onlooker the shakes. Unless, of course, that's precisely what the user wants...
What does the
FLG books say about a refractor field? If it uses a miniscule fusion reactor, then it doesn't have to be refueled for the duration of your campaign -- depending on how efficient the reactor is and what materials are involved in the process, there may be little need for refueling for decades or even centuries. Regardless, I'd expect routine maintenance of such a device be carried out regardless of how often it must be "recharged"