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ABCD METHOD
The ABCD method is recommended to check for the potential of competing ultrasounds
downstream that may carry back to the area of inspection and give a false indication of a valve
leak.For the ABCD method,
1. Refer to steps 1-4 above.
2. Mark two equidistant points
upstream
(these will be point A and Point B) and compare
them to two equidistant points
downstream
(point C and point D)
The sound intensity of points A and B are compared with test points C and D. If point
C
is
higher
than points A and B, the valve is considered leaking. If point
D
is
higher
than point C, this is an
indication of sound being transmitted from another point
downstream
.
CONFIRMING VALVE LEAKAGE IN NOISY PIPE SYSTEMS
Occasionally in high pressure systems, stray signals occur from valves that are close by or from
pipes (or conduits) feeding into a common pipe that is near the down stream side of a valve. This
flow may produce false leak signals. In order to determine if the loud signal on the downstream
side is coming from a valve leak or from some other source:
1. Move close to the suspected source (i.e., the conduit or the other valve).
2. Touch at the upstream side of the suspected source.
3. Reduce sensitivity until the sounds are clearer.
4. Touch at short intervals (such as every 6 - 12 inches (15-30.5 cm) and note the meter
changes.
5. If the sound level decreases as you move towards the test valve, it indicates that the valve
is not leaking.
6. If the sound level increases as you approach the test valve, it is an indication of a leak in
the valve.
MISCELLANEOUS PROBLEM AREAS
UNDERGROUND LEAKS
Underground leak detection depends upon the amount of ultrasound generated by the particular
leak. Some slow leaks will emit very little ultrasound. Compounding the problem is the fact that
earth will tend to insulate ultrasound. In addition, loose soil will absorb more ultrasound than firm
soil. If the leak is close to the surface and is gross in nature, it will be quickly detected. The more
subtle leaks can also be detected but with some additional effort. In some instances it will be
necessary to build up pressure in the line to generate greater flow and more ultrasound. In other
cases it will be necessary to drain the pipe area in question, isolate the area by valving it off and
inject a gas (air or nitrogen) to generate ultrasound through the leak site. This latter method has
proven very successful. It is also possible to inject a test gas into the test area of the pipe without
draining it. As the pressurized gas moves through the liquid into the leak site, it produces a
crackling sound, which may be detected.
PROCEDURE:
1. Use contact (stethoscope) module.
2. Touch surfaces over ground -
DO NOT JAM
probe to ground. Jamming can cause probe
damage.
In some instances it will be necessary to get close to the "source" of the leak. In this situation, use
a thin, sturdy metal rod and drive it down close to, but not touching, the pipe. Touch the contact
probe to the metal rod and listen for the leak sound. This should be repeated approximately every
1-3 feet until the leak sound is heard.
To locate the leak area, gradually position the rod until the leak sound is heard at its loudest point.
An alternative to this is to use a flat
metal disc or coin
and drop it on the test area. Touch the disc
and listen at 20 kHz. This is useful when testing concrete or asphalt to eliminate scratching sounds
caused by slight movements of the stethoscope module on these surfaces.
Содержание Ultraprobe 3000
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