LEAK DETECTION LEAK DETECTION METHODSMETHODS

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Hello, I want to show the Hello, I want to show the methods we use at Fresh or methods we use at Fresh or Freezing for detecting leaks.Freezing for detecting leaks.

The most important point to The most important point to remember when you are remember when you are detecting leaks is that you detecting leaks is that you must work safely.must work safely.

Ask your manager if you are Ask your manager if you are unsure of how to proceed at unsure of how to proceed at any time.any time.

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Let’s look at halide lamps first. Let’s look at halide lamps first. We use this method with We use this method with all all systems that have CFC or HCFC systems that have CFC or HCFC as the refrigerant. as the refrigerant.

Minimal maintenance is needed Minimal maintenance is needed for halide lamps apart from for halide lamps apart from making sure there is enough fuel making sure there is enough fuel in the lamp. However, they are in the lamp. However, they are difficult to use in well-lit areas, difficult to use in well-lit areas, produce toxic fumes and aren’t a produce toxic fumes and aren’t a suitable method to use with suitable method to use with some of the new refrigerants.some of the new refrigerants.

Remember that this type of leak Remember that this type of leak detector is only useful on detector is only useful on refrigerants that are compounds refrigerants that are compounds of chlorine. of chlorine.

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Electronic detectors can be used Electronic detectors can be used on all systems that have CFC or on all systems that have CFC or HCFC as the refrigerant. They are HCFC as the refrigerant. They are very sensitive and can sense very sensitive and can sense fluorocarbons from other sources. fluorocarbons from other sources.

There’s not a lot of maintenance There’s not a lot of maintenance we need to do in the workshop we need to do in the workshop apart from changing the filter in apart from changing the filter in the hand piece. Any other the hand piece. Any other maintenance needs specialised maintenance needs specialised attention.attention.

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Soapy water is a simple Soapy water is a simple and cost effective way and cost effective way to detect leaks in any to detect leaks in any system containing system containing positive pressure positive pressure refrigerants.refrigerants.

A good thing about this A good thing about this method is that it method is that it doesn’t need any doesn’t need any maintenance. You just maintenance. You just need to be sure there is need to be sure there is enough liquid to do the enough liquid to do the jobjob..

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A A fluorescent dye leak detection fluorescent dye leak detection method can be used with all method can be used with all systems except ammonia based systems except ammonia based systems. It’s a good method for systems. It’s a good method for finding hard to detect leaks.finding hard to detect leaks.

Always wear the correct eye Always wear the correct eye protection when using protection when using fluorescent dyes because ultra-fluorescent dyes because ultra-violet light can damage your violet light can damage your eyes.eyes.

Always check for oil Always check for oil compatibility.compatibility.

No maintenance is needed for No maintenance is needed for the dye component after your the dye component after your initial selection for system initial selection for system suitability. The lamp requires suitability. The lamp requires only minimal maintenance. only minimal maintenance.

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The litmus paper method can The litmus paper method can only be used with ammonia only be used with ammonia based systems. When the based systems. When the litmus paper changes from litmus paper changes from blue to red, it indicates a leak.blue to red, it indicates a leak.

Phenolphthalein is another Phenolphthalein is another very simple leak detection very simple leak detection system but is only suited to system but is only suited to ammonia based systems.ammonia based systems.

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Another method that Another method that can only be used with can only be used with ammonia based ammonia based systems is the sulphur systems is the sulphur stick method. stick method.

When you are using a When you are using a sulphur stick, beware sulphur stick, beware of fumes.of fumes.

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And just a final word about And just a final word about safety. safety. Don’t take any Don’t take any risks.risks. Ask your manager Ask your manager for help or advice if you for help or advice if you are unsure about what you are unsure about what you should be doing when you should be doing when you are checking for leaks. are checking for leaks.

© Commonwealth of Australia 2010 | Licensed under AEShareNet Share and Return licence