Effective refrigerant leak detection is essential to maintain safety, establish compliance, and increase energy efficiency. Finding leaks in refrigerants can be done with electronic leak detectors. An HVAC system will inevitably have refrigerant leaks when there are incorrectly fitted or welded joints. Some leaks are minor, amounting to only one ounce over ten years without inhibiting the system’s functionality. However, extreme temperatures, surroundings, and vibrations can exacerbate small leaks. If these flaws aren’t fixed, they’ll reduce the efficiency of the HVAC system. Read More…
Airgas is an industry-leading distributor of gases and other gas related products. We have been serving the industry since 1982 and have since become one of the biggest gas distributors in the packaged gas industry. Some of the packaged gases we offer include compressed air, argon, carbon dioxide, helium, hydrogen, methane, oxygen, propane, and propylene. In addition, we offer safety products,...
Since 1981, leak detectors have been our business. We believe in creating high quality products that will benefit customers in all industries around the world. We remain partners with all customers and work with you to find the best leak detection solution for you. You can learn more about us online, or simply give us a call to learn more about us in person!
Industrial Physics provides leak detectors, gas leak detectors, leak testing, helium leak detectors, flow product testers and package test equipment for seal strength and package integrity (leak) tests. All feature SQC analysis for proactive process control. We feature custom fixturing for your testing needs.
CPS® Products is a manufacturer of several models of leak detectors and leak detection systems for refrigerants and combustible gases. Our leak detectors detect halogen-based gases plus acetone, ammonia, benzene, carbon monoxide and other substances. Call today for more information!
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How to Find a Refrigerant Leak
There are many ways to find refrigerant leaks, but the most common methods include the following:
- Soap bubble method: Many technicians depend on the soap bubble approach. Spray a leak detection fluid or apply soapy water to check for leaks at specific spots. Leakage sites should start to produce bubbles. The soap bubbles approach is ineffective for minor leaks or windy environments. It’s more effective to pair the soap bubble approach with an electronic leak detection method.
- Fluorescent dye method: The refrigerant is mixed with a fluorescent dye, then introduced into the refrigeration system. The dye will escape from the system and gather at any leak spots. Afterward, these leak locations will immediately be visible under a UV lamp. The fluorescent dye approach has a significant drawback; it may hurt the long-term functionality of HVAC-R systems.
- Electronic leak method: The electronic leak method is the most accurate, effective technique. Electronic leak methods include corona-suppression, heated diode, infrared, and ultrasonic leak technologies.
- Corona suppression: Corona suppression involves a current flowing between two electrodes inside a device. There is a known baseline for this current. When a refrigerant gas enters the device and passes across the electrodes, the current drops below the baseline. The drop in current signals a gas presence and activates an alert. This method may be prone to false alerts.
- Heated diode: In heated diode leak detection, a refrigerant is heated until the molecules are dispersed. Chlorine or fluorine, chemical components present in most refrigerants, are positively charged quantities due to this reaction. Electronic refrigerant detectors use heated diode technology to detect chlorine or fluorine ions and sound an auditory alert to indicate a leak. Compared to corona suppression, this method is less likely to cause false alarms.
- Infrared: A method known as infrared leak detection uses infrared light to find refrigerants. Some infrared light is absorbed by the refrigerant, and the amount of the refrigerant concentration change is measured. This technology is delicate and precise.
- Ultrasonic: Ultrasonic leak detection identifies the sounds of escaping gasses like refrigerants. When an HVAC-R device leaks refrigerant, it creates an ultrasonic noise that’s inaudible to the human ear. However, the pressure will trigger a response from an ultrasonic detector.
- Halide leak detector: This is the most common method of identifying refrigerants containing chlorine. Currently, this approach can be used to identify CFCs and HCFCs but not HFCs. Halide leak detectors have a sample tube, a flame-powered end, and a propane or acetylene gas-powered end. The gas leak will be drawn to the sample tube by the draft the propane creates. The flame then changes color as it passes across a heated copper element. Therefore, inspecting it in direct sunlight is less efficient. If larger amounts of methyl chloride are present, the flame will turn green and blue.
Effectiveness of The Leak Detection Methods
- Soap bubble method: Effective for locating leaks but can be hampered by tiny leaks or windy conditions.
- Fluorescent dye: can be untidy, negatively impact system performance, and shorten the system lifespan of refrigerators.
- Electronic leak detectors: Very sensitive and effective for discovering the majority of leaks if used and maintained properly.
Choosing the Correct Refrigerant Leak Detector Supplier
To ensure you have the most productive outcome when purchasing a refrigerant leak detector from a refrigerant leak detector supplier, it is important to compare several companies using our directory of refrigerant leak detector suppliers. Each refrigerant leak detector supplier has a business profile page highlighting their areas of experience and capabilities, along with a contact form to directly communicate with the supplier for more information or request a quote. Review each refrigerant leak detector business website using our proprietary website previewer to quickly learn what each company specializes in. Then, use our simple RFQ form to contact multiple refrigerant leak detector companies with the same form.
