Help Your Leak Detector Operators Find Leaks!
Is the most important factor in leak detector performance the speed of finding small leaks? What about how the operator uses this high-performance machine?

Usually, performance evaluations of leak detectors are carried out under ideal conditions that enhance leak detection. But we know that real life leak detection is a much ruder world; noisy, drafty, and fully of distractions. While a system’s ability to find the smallest detectable leak rate in the shortest possible time is certainly important, what really matters is ensuring that the operator actually detects the leak.

What can a leak detector do to increase the probability that your operator will find the leak?

Ability to detect leaks at any angle
In real life, a leak is hard to locate. No guarantees on a certain orientation to a leak outlet (as when you evaluate a leak detector with a test leak). It’s key that the leak detector picks up the leak regardless of orientation to the test leak outlet. INFICON sniffer leak detectors show the same leak rate regardless of the orientation of the sniffer tip to the outlet of a leak. Test this by placing the sniffer tip at an angle to the leak outlet and noting the leak rate signal.

Ability to detect leaks at a distance from the leak
Often a joint to be tested cannot be reached (blocked by other components or limited leak testing operation time) or there is simply not enough time to check each joint thoroughly. In this case, it is important that the leak detector shows a significant leak rate, even at a distance from the leak. INFICON sniffer leak detectors show a significant leak rate signal even at increased distances.

Ability to detect leaks on the backside of a tube joint
When the backside of a joint cannot be reached by the operator (blocked by other components or the cycle time may be insufficient) it becomes difficult or impossible to detect a leak. INFICON sniffer leak detectors are optimized for this situation; the Protec P3000XL offers the best performance in the field.

Ability to detect leaks in drafts
In certain situations, the leak detector needs to work in drafts caused by ventilation, moving belts, etc. The higher the flow through the sniffer line, the less a leak detector will be affected by drafts.