The Three Most Common Leak Detection Methods!!

There is no single leak detection method that identifies each leak in all possible situations. So, how do you decide which method is best for different air conditioning systems and refrigeration systems?

To answer this question, let's take a look at some of the more common leak detection methods. With this knowledge, you should be able to make informed decisions and choose the one that best suits your particular application.

The oldest leak detection method of the bubble solution is a bubble solution. Briefly, soaps are usually used against suspicious leaks, using a squeeze bottle, brush or applicator. Theoretically, the leaked refrigerant generates air bubbles at the leakage location. However, very small leakage or windy conditions may invalidate this method.

Fluorescent Leak Detection This method requires the addition of fluorescent dye to the air conditioning or refrigeration system. The dye then mixes with the lubricant and circulates with the refrigerant throughout the system. As long as the refrigerant leaks, the dye will leak out. When the system is scanned with ultraviolet (UV) or blue light, the dye glows in bright yellow green, indicating the location of the leak.

For contractors it is important to use OEM approved dyes that are compatible with system lubricants. Dye containing co-solvent adversely affects the lubrication quality of system oil, which may lead to premature failure of the compressor, so caution is necessary.

Electronic detector (sniffer). There are two basic types of electronic detectors for testing fugitive refrigerants: corona suppression and heating diodes.

The corona suppression technique measures the change in conductivity of the gas passing between the two electrodes. This equipment generates a high voltage DC spark which jumps from one point in the sensor to another point and establishes a baseline current between the two points. The drop in current between the two points indicates the presence of insulating gas. The larger the current drop, the higher the gas concentration.

One advantage of fluorescence leak detection is the ability to accurately and accurately find multiple leak points in the system. After circulating the dye, it can be confirmed at system shutdown or operation.

Heating diode technology consists of a ceramic element that heats the refrigerant to decompose the molecule and attract positively charged chloride or fluoride ions to the negatively charged central collection line. Chloride or fluoride ions flow through the central collection line and produce small currents. As the refrigerant concentration between the electrodes increases, the current increases to a level that causes an audiovisual alarm. In general, the heating diode sniffer is more accurate than the corona suppressor detector and has less tendency to trigger erroneously.

This refrigerant leak detection method is more complicated and was developed to discover leakage of automatic transmissions in the automobile industry. Here, the system suspected of leakage is filled with special fluorescent dye. The dye mixes with the oil and the mixture circulates through the refrigerant in the system. As it escapes through the leakage, you will see a glow under UV light

• Fluorescence leak detection. This method requires the addition of fluorescent dye to the air conditioning or refrigeration system. The dye then mixes with the lubricant and circulates with the refrigerant throughout the system. As long as the refrigerant leaks, the dye will leak out. When using an ultraviolet (UV) or blue light scanning system, the dye emits a light yellowish green color indicating the location of the leak. The corona suppression technique measures the change in conductivity of the gas passing between the two electrodes. This equipment generates a high voltage DC spark which jumps from one point in the sensor to another point and establishes a baseline current between the two points. The drop in current between the two points indicates the presence of insulating gas. The larger the current drop, the higher the gas concentration.

• Bubble solution. The oldest leak detection method is bubble solution. Briefly, soaps are usually used against suspicious leaks, using a squeeze bottle, brush or applicator. Theoretically, the leaked refrigerant generates air bubbles at the leakage location. However, very small leakage or windy conditions may invalidate this method. • Fluorescence leak detection. This method requires the addition of fluorescent dye to the air conditioning or refrigeration system. The dye then mixes with the lubricant and circulates with the refrigerant throughout the system. As long as the refrigerant leaks, the dye will leak out. When the system is scanned with ultraviolet (UV) or blue light, the dye glows in bright yellow green, indicating the location of the leak.