Refrigerant leak detectors are vital for HVAC systems. They help technicians locate leaks so they can repair them quickly and efficiently. They also help prevent costly refrigerant loss, which is often a result of poorly designed or welded systems.
While there are a variety of types of Refrigerant leak detectors available, there are three main varieties that work well for most jobs: heated diode, infrared (IR), and metal-oxide semiconductor (MOS). Heated diode leak detection works by heating the refrigerant molecules, which breaks them apart and creates positively charged chlorine or fluorine ions. The ions are then detected by the sensor, which then triggers an alarm.
IR and MOS leak detectors use infrared or optical sensors to detect the presence of refrigerant. They’re more accurate than heated diode detectors, and they don’t break down the refrigerant in a way that can trigger false-positive alarms. They can also detect a wider range of gases, including nitrogen.
Other methods for detecting refrigerant leaks include soap bubble testing, which involves placing a solution of water and liquid soap on suspected leak areas and watching for bubbling. This method is effective for larger leaks, but can be difficult to use when the system is operating and can be very messy. Other methods include swabbing parts of the system with a cloth soaked in UV dye, which can highlight a leak’s location. The open flame of a halide torch can also spot leaks, but many contractors don’t like the idea of using an open flame near refrigerants. Refrigerant leak detectors for HVAC
