Leak detection - Leak testing
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Helium leak detectors
Our leak detectors can be used for the localization of leaks, and some are suitable for determining the total leak rate of test objects.
Whether a component or a system is leak-tight depends on the application it is to be used in and the leak rate that is acceptable. Absolutely leak-tight components and systems do not exist. A component is considered technically leak-tight if its leak rate remains below a value defined for this particular component.
Besides the determination of the total leak tightness, it is usually important to locate the leak, quickly and precisely, in order to seal it. Instruments for local leak detection are called leak detectors.
In practice the leak detector performs this task by first evacuating the part which is to be tested, so that gas from the outside may enter through an existing leak due to the pressure difference present. If only helium is brought in front of the leak (for example by using a spray gun) this helium flows through the leak and is pumped out by the leak detector. The helium partial pressure present in the leak detector is measured by a sector mass spectrometer and is displayed as a leak rate. This is usually given in terms of volume flow of the helium (pV-flow).