User Manual

16455 TruTrack Ultrasonic Leak Detector

Operation

The theory of operation of the TruTrack Ultrasonic Leak Detector is

based on the turbulent flow of fluids and gases. Turbulent flow has a high

content of ultrasound, which is above the human hearing range but can

be heard by the TruTrack and traced to its source.

Turbulence must occur for a leak to be detected. If a straight piece of

tubing is connected to a gas supply and left free to exhaust into the

atmosphere, it will not generate any sound if the volume of gas moving

through it is too gentle for turbulence to take place. Normally, at the leak

site, there will be holes and/or cracks that are jagged and have odd,

internal chambers. Fluids or gasses escaping through openings like this

are forced into turbulence, random circular-like motions.

The intensity of sound generated at a leak is a very complex combination

of the viscosity, the temperature, the speed the fluid is moving, the

Raynolds number, the pressure differential across the leak, and the

physical dimensions and characteristics of the crack or hole. Because of

these variables, it is possible for a smaller leak to generate more sound

than a larger one.

WARNING

Ultrasonic detectors do not indicate a leak if there

is no turbulent flow producing soundwaves. If

you suspect a toxic gas, natural gas, or other

combustible gas leak, but do not detect it with the TruTrack

Ultrasonic Leak Detector, DO NOT ASSUME that a leak does

not exist. Use another method of verification to ensure no

dangerous gases are present.

Introduction