CHAPTER 3 LEAK DETECTION PROCEDURES TYPES OF LEAK

CHAPTER 3 LEAK DETECTION PROCEDURES

TYPES OF LEAK DETECTION • HUMAN SENSES • SOAP BUBBLES • ELECTRONIC DETECTOR • ULTRASONIC DETECTOR • ULTRAVIOLET LAMP • HALIDE TORCH • PRESSURE & VACUUM TEST

HUMAN SENSES • VISUAL: –OIL –DUST –FRESH BENDS IN COPPER • SOUND- HISSING • FEEL

SOAP BUBBLES • APPLY TO AREA OF SUSPECTED LEAK • PRACTICALLY ONLY WAY TO HONE IN ON LEAK • CAN WRAP FINGER AROUND LINE TO SEE LEAK ON BACK SIDE

ELECTRONIC DETECTORS • FOR DIFFERENT TYPES OF REFRIGERANTS- MAY HAVE A SWITCH FOR HFC’S • WILL DETECT AS LITTLE AS 1/2 oz. PER YEAR • MUST GET INTO CLOSE VICINITY OF LEAK • BUY GOOD QUALITY

ULTRASONIC DETECTORS • ONE OF LATEST ADVANCES • “HEARS” & SIGNALS ULTRASONIC HISSING OF REFRIGERANT AS IT LEAKS FROM SYSTEM • SHOULD INCLUDE HEADPHONES

ULTRAVIOLET LAMP • ALSO CALLED PHLOURESCENT DYE KIT • DYE GOES INTO UNIT, MIXES WITH OIL IN UNIT & LEAKS OUT WITH REFRIGERANT • ULTRAVIOLET LAMP TURNS DYE TO BRIGHT YELLOW • REQUIRES 3 HOURS RUN TIME

HALIDE TORCH • MOST DANGEROUS!!! • USES COPPER PLATE & REACTS WITH HCFC’S & CFC’S TO TURN • FLAME GREEN • REQUIRES GREATER LEAK IN ORDER TO DETECT LOCATION • GREAT FOR DETECTING PRESENCE OF REFRIGERANT

PRESSURE TEST • CALLED STANDING PRESSURE TEST • DRY NITROGEN ADDED TO TRACE OF REFRIGERANT [R-22] IN SYSTEM -USE ELECTRONIC DETECTOR TO LOCATE GENERAL AREA • MINIMUM 1 HOUR REQUIRED TO INSURE NOT LEAKING

VACUUM TEST • LEAST EFFECTIVE OF ALL • PULL VACUUM & HOLD FOR AT LEAST 5 MINUTES- WATCH FOR STEADY RISE IN PRESSURE • DISADVANTAGES –CANNOT LOCATE- IN VACUUM • –WILL SUCK IN AIR

MAJOR SOURCES OF LEAKS • JOINTS • ACCESS VALVES • LOSS OF CAPS • BAD SCHRADER VALVE • HIGH HEAD PRESSURE

GAS MONITORS • ALL FOR SAFETY OF OWNERS, OPERATORS & TECHNICIANS – CO – REFRIGERANTS – OXYGEN DEPLETION