Vacuum Leak Detectors
Vacuum leak detectors provide fast, contamination-free, leak detection in closed systems using compressed air to monitor the changes in pressure which indicates the presence and severity of leaks. This particular type of detector, often referred to as a leak tester, is used in a wide variety of industries to test hermetic seals, refrigeration, scientific and medical instrumentation, aerospace technologies, automotive and medical systems. Vacuum leak detectors have also become integral in the development of nuclear components as they are a reliable, economic and not easily biased option for leak detection. As the uses of this particular detector vary, so do the types offered. Turbomolecular, back scrolling, rotary and dry running are popular options which offer many different features such as degree of tightness, pumping speed range, and resistance to corrosion.
Though the pumps, valves, gauges and readouts vary between types of detectors, the basic function is the same. The vacuum leak detector is applied to a closed system, producing a vacuum in the tested tube. Compressed air, known as a tracer, is pumped into the system and the pressure is monitored. A falling reading on the gauge indicates a leak, while the rate of the fall shows the severity of the leak. Though others may be used, helium is the most popular tracer gas as it is cheap, non-hazardous and nondestructive. Because the presence of helium in the atmosphere is low, it also enables testing with little concern for background interference when searching for the location of a leak. Vacuum leak detectors can be large and difficult to maneuver, but as technologies improve portable devices are more widely available.