Scribd
Upload
63 views4 pages

Leaks in The System

There are three main methods for detecting refrigerant leaks in air conditioning systems: 1. The soap test involves spraying a soapy solution around connections and looking for bubbles, which indicates a leak. This is the cheapest method but only works on positive pressure systems. 2. UV light detectors use ultraviolet light to locate leaks, as refrigerants glow under UV light. 3. Electronic detectors continuously sample the air and can detect very small leaks down to 20 parts per million. The SLR8 detector from Fieldpiece is highly reliable for detecting all common refrigerants.

Uploaded by

Xahid Hasan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
63 views4 pages

Leaks in The System

There are three main methods for detecting refrigerant leaks in air conditioning systems: 1. The soap test involves spraying a soapy solution around connections and looking for bubbles, which indicates a leak. This is the cheapest method but only works on positive pressure systems. 2. UV light detectors use ultraviolet light to locate leaks, as refrigerants glow under UV light. 3. Electronic detectors continuously sample the air and can detect very small leaks down to 20 parts per million. The SLR8 detector from Fieldpiece is highly reliable for detecting all common refrigerants.

Uploaded by

Xahid Hasan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 4

Signs of Freon leak in a refrigerator:

You might have a Freon leak if you notice a chemical smell, oil on the
floor, or if the motor is running continuously. You can buy
a leak detection kit, do it yourself with soapy water,
Refrigerant leak detection can be carried out on your own, using
three simple methods. You’ll enjoy doing it, if you feel like learning
more on air conditioning maintenance.

These methods, in order of cheap to expensive are,

 soap test,

 UV light refrigerant leak detection, and,

 electronic leak detection


Method 1: Soap test:

Soap test is the easiest way of detecting refrigerant leak.

However this test can only be performed on a positive gauge pressure


system, i.e. the system has higher pressure than ambient. Systems,
operating under vacuum, may draw in moisture, and cause refrigerant
contamination, and parts failure.

We can use this test on current air conditioning systems,


using chlorine and fluorine based refrigerant.

The steps are,

1. switch on the system with cooling, or heating mode,


2. make a soap solution using dishwasher liquid and water,
3. pour it into a container.

Use a mist spray to spray onto hard-to-reach areas,

4. cover the test area from wind,


5. clean the area to be tested using a clean, dry cloth,
6. apply (or spray) the solution onto the test area,
7. spread the solution along the test area using leather (or non
absorbing) cloth,
8. watch for bubble formation

If there is no bubble formation, then there is no leak at the test area. You
may repeat the test on other areas on the system.

Leak presence on the system will cause the soap bubble to expand. Such
occurrence will require tube repair, and/or parts replacement.

Wipe dry the area after the test.


Halide Leak Detector.
If the air consists of refrigerant (due to leakage) then it is detected by the
change in the colour of the flame. Using halide leak detectors leaks as
small as 1.5 to 2 oz. ... Thus the leak detector consists of a sampling tube
through which air around the refrigeration system is drawn by means of
a small fan.
... Leaks are located when the chlorine based refrigerant gases are
drawn in through he probe hose and exposed to a heated copper reactor
plate, changing the blue flame to green. this detector is very sensitive
and can be used to locate leaks as small as 20 ppm of CFC and HCFC
refrigerants.
The SLR8 heated diode refrigerant leak detector from Fieldpiece is one of
the most reliable leak detectors available. It is able to detect and alert on all CFCs,
HFCs, HCFCs, and other refrigerant blends.

halide leak detector 

The halide leak detector works on the principle of change of colour of a flame in


the presence of the refrigerants. When a fluorocarbon based refrigerant such as
R12 or R22 is sucked through a sampling tube and passed over a surface whose
surface temperature is high (around 500oC), then the refrigerant vapour breaks
down and forms a foul smelling gas known as phosgene (COCl 2). When this gas is
passed over a glowing copper (heated by the flame of the torch itself) it forms
copper chloride, which changes the colour of the flame from pale blue to bright
green. The halide torch usually burns methyl alcohol, butane gas or acetylene and
is similar in construction to that of a blow lamp with a provision to draw the air for
combustion through a sampling tube. If the air consists of refrigerant (due to
leakage) then it is detected by the change in the colour of the flame. Using halide
leak detectors leaks as small as 1.5 to 2 oz. Per year could be detected. However,
use of halide leak detectors requires certain precautions to be taken while using. It
cannot be used with hydrocarbon refrigerants.

Safety in refrigerant leak detection:


Please,

1. do not use bare hands to sense for leak, to avoid frost bite

2. do leak detection in well ventilated area

3. evacuate the area, if you smell pungent odour

4. call for repair as soon as possible, if you have detected pungent smell

You might also like

pFad - Phonifier reborn

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.

Note: This service is not intended for secure transactions such as banking, social media, email, or purchasing. Use at your own risk. We assume no liability whatsoever for broken pages.


Alternative Proxies:

Alternative Proxy

pFad Proxy

pFad v3 Proxy

pFad v4 Proxy