Portable Gas Leak Detector

An ultrasonic leak detector is a specialized device for detecting leakage of gas or vapor in places where they can not be seen or detected by hearing or feeling them. Ultrasonic leak detectors are often used in industrial applications where they can be used to detect leakage of refrigerant from a large industrial chillers or colder, or toxic or flammable gas leaking from a storage tank or other deposit . Many ultrasonic leak detectors are small and portable enough for use in service vehicles by plumbers and heating and air conditioning technicians, who used to detect natural gas leaks or leaks of refrigerant in systems home air conditioning which can be quite complex and difficult to diagnose otherwise.

An ultrasonic leak detector can detect the vibrations generated in the air by small leaks of gas or steam under pressure, and transform them into a whistle or alarm that can be easily detected by the operator leak detector. Using the same technology that can detect heart of a baby while in the womb, the leak detector uses ultrasonic waves that travel above the frequency that humans can hear bouncing on disturbances in ambient air caused by the gas or vapor leak. It can then electronically convert sound disturbances useful is understood by the human ear.

The process by which an ultrasonic leak detector converts these disturbances in the sound is called heterodyning, and is essentially the same technology used for radio transmission as well. Conversion of a sound wave into an electronic pulse allows the detector to be useful without a tester who creates the potential flames or sparks. An ultrasonic leak detector is also an alternative to gas-sensitive "sniffing" technology that is often unable to detect the smallest leaks in the system because of other gases present in ambient air. Before the use of ultrasonic leak detectors, sniffer these type leak detectors had to be calibrated to detect certain gases or vapors and might miss other potentially hazardous or costly leaks altogether if they were not properly calibrated .

Ultrasonic technology to detect leaks has changed the way businesses are able to maintain and service their equipment gas bearing. It reduces downtime and exposure to hazardous chemicals. Technology has also increased the ability of any technician, even without specific knowledge and skills to detect and mark a leaking pipe or other vessel bearing pressure.