1、 Preparation before operation: Ensure that the instrument is compatible with the testing environment

1. instrument calibration
   • periodic calibrationAccording to the instrument manual requirements, regularly calibrate with standard gases (such as helium and SF6) to ensure detection accuracy (usually with an error of ≤± 5%).
   • zero point calibrationBefore each use, it is necessary to perform zero calibration in clean air to eliminate environmental background interference.
   • Range selectionChoose the appropriate range based on the expected leakage amount to avoid sensitivity issues caused by excessive range or sensor damage caused by insufficient range.
2. Environmental condition inspection
   • Temperature and HumidityThe working temperature range of most leak detectors is -10 ℃~50 ℃, and the humidity is ≤ 85%. High temperature or high humidity environments may affect sensor response speed or cause condensation water to damage the instrument.
   • Ventilation requirementsThe detection area should be well ventilated to avoid the accumulation of flammable gases (such as explosion-proof environment during hydrogen detection).
   • electromagnetic interferenceStay away from strong electromagnetic sources (such as frequency converters and high-voltage lines) to prevent signal interference from causing data fluctuations.
3. Pre processing of the inspected equipment
   • Clean the surfaceClean the oil and dust on the surface of the tested equipment to prevent clogging of the probe or interference with the detection.
   • Stable pressureFor pressurized equipment (such as pipelines and containers), it is necessary to ensure stable pressure before testing to avoid misjudging pressure fluctuations as leaks.
   • Isolation and testing areaClose valves unrelated to the inspected system to prevent background leakage from interfering with the results.

2、 Standard operation: Ensure detection accuracy and safety

1. Probe usage tips
   • keep distanceMaintain a distance of 1-5mm between the probe and the leakage point to avoid airflow turbulence caused by being too close or sensitivity reduced by being too far away.
   • Slowly movingScan the inspected surface at a speed of ≤ 10cm/s to ensure sufficient capture of leakage signals.
   • Multi angle detectionComplex structures (such as flanges and welds) need to be inspected from different angles to avoid missed inspections.
2. Data reading and recording
   • Stable readingAfter the instrument reading stabilizes, record the data to avoid instantaneous fluctuations affecting the results.
   • duplicate detectionPerform 2-3 repeated tests on key areas to confirm leak consistency.
   • Mark leakage pointsUse a marker pen or label to record the location of the leak for easy repair in the future.
3. Safety protection measures
   • personal protectionWear a gas mask (when detecting toxic gases), goggles, and anti-static gloves to prevent inhalation of harmful gases or skin contact.
   • Explosion-proof requirementsWhen detecting flammable gases (such as hydrogen and methane), an explosion-proof leak detector should be used and ensure that there are no open flames or static sparks on site.
   • emergency responseEquipped with fire extinguishers, first aid kits, and familiar with emergency response procedures for gas leaks (such as ventilation and wearing gas masks for SF6 leaks).

3、 Post operation maintenance: Extend the lifespan of the instrument

1. Instrument cleaning and storage
   • Clean the probeWipe the probe with a soft cloth to avoid using organic solvents (such as alcohol) to corrode the sensor.
   • Dustproof and MoistureproofPlace the instrument in a dedicated box and store it in a dry and ventilated environment to avoid high humidity causing circuit short circuits.
   • Avoid vibrationAvoid severe vibrations during transportation or storage to prevent damage to precision sensors.
2. Sensor protection
   • Stay away from corrosive gasesAfter testing, promptly remove the instrument from the testing area to prevent corrosion of the sensor (such as chlorine gas, ammonia gas).
   • Regular activationFor electrochemical sensors, regular electrical activation should be carried out according to the instructions to maintain their sensitivity.
   • replacement cycleAccording to the frequency of use, replace the sensor every 1-3 years (if the lifespan of a semiconductor sensor is short, it needs to be replaced more frequently).
3. Battery and Power Management
   • Avoid overchargingInstruments using lithium batteries should be charged according to the instructions to avoid battery damage caused by overcharging.
   • Long-term storageIf not used for a long time, it is necessary to charge the battery once a month to prevent self discharge damage.
   • Power adapterUse the original power adapter to avoid damaging the instrument due to unstable voltage.

4、 Special scenario precautions

1. High voltage equipment testing
   • safety distanceWhen testing high-voltage equipment (such as GIS, transformers), it is necessary to maintain a sufficient safe distance (such as 10kV equipment distance ≥ 0.7m) and wear insulated gloves.
   • Power outage detectionTry to detect during power outages as much as possible. If live detection is required, use high-voltage specialized probes and strictly follow safety regulations.
2. Minor leakage detection
   • Improve sensitivityFor minor leaks (such as ≤ 1 × 10 ⁻⁶ Pa · m ³/s), high-precision instruments (such as helium mass spectrometer leak detectors) should be used and the detection time should be extended.
   • Background noise reductionWhen testing in a confined space, it is necessary to eliminate environmental background leaks (such as air infiltration caused by poor sealing of doors and windows).
3. Multi gas mixture detection
   • Cross interferenceWhen detecting mixed gases, it is necessary to confirm whether the instrument supports multi gas identification to avoid cross interference and misjudgment.
   • Calibration gas selectionUse standard gases with similar composition to the actual gas for calibration to improve detection accuracy.

5、 Common Problems and Solutions