ION SF6 LEAKMATE User manual

SF6 LEAKMATE
User manual V1.0
Unrivalled Gas Detection. ionscience.com
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SF6 Leakmate Instrument User Manual V1.0
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DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY
Name und Adresse des Herstellers / Manufacturer s name and address ISM Deutschland GmbH, Laubach
30, D-40822 Mettmann, Germany
ISM Deutschland GmbH declare the conformity of the product
Bezeichnung / Product name: SF6-Lecksuchgert / SF6-Leak Detector
Typ / Type:
SF6 LEAKMATE
Mit den folgenden Bestimmungen / with the following applicable regulations:
DIN EN 61326-1 VDE 0843-20-1:2013-07, Elektrische Mess-, Steuer-, Regel- und Laborgerte - EMV-
Anforderungen Gruppe 1, Klasse B (Straussendung) / Electrical equipment for measurement, control and
laboratory use –EMC requirements. Group 1, Class B equipment - (emissions section only)
DIN EN 61326-1 VDE 0843-20-1:2013-07, Elektrische Mess-, Steuer-, Regel- und Laborgerte - EMV-
Anforderungen (Strfestigkeit) / Electrical equipment for measurement, control and laboratory use –EMC
requirements. Industrial location immunity - (immunity section only)
CFR 47:2008 Class A
Code of Federal Regulations: 15 Subpart B- Radio Frequency Devices - Unintentional Radiators.
Andere Richtlinien / Other Standards
EN ISO 9001: 2015 Qualittsmanagementsysteme–Anforderungen / Quality Management System –
Requirements
ISM Deutschland GmbH
C. VERLEY - CEO

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Introduction .......................................................................................................................................4
Warnings.............................................................................................................................................4
Commissioning....................................................................................................................................4
3.1. Battery Installation .................................................................................................................4
3.2. Installing / Replacing the Sensor Tip.......................................................................................4
Operation............................................................................................................................................5
4.1. Turn the detector on/off.........................................................................................................5
4.2. Recommended Leak Detection Procedures ...........................................................................5
4.2.1. Principle of detection.......................................................................................................5
4.2.2. Precautions ......................................................................................................................5
4.2.3. Spotting Leaks..................................................................................................................5
Maintenance.......................................................................................................................................6
5.1. Cleaning...................................................................................................................................6
5.2. Sensor tip ................................................................................................................................6
5.3. Batteries..................................................................................................................................6
Troubleshooting..................................................................................................................................7
Technical Data.....................................................................................................................................8

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Introduction
The SF6 LEAKMATE is a highly sensitive, processor controlled SF6leak detector for mobile use,
based on the proven detection principle of Negative Corona Discharge. It is small, lightweight, and
easy to operate even for untrained personnel. With its audible and visual alarm indications and
adjustable sensitivity, it is optimally suited for not only finding but also pinpointing SF6leaks down
to approximately 1E-6 cc/s.
Warnings
In confined spaces, a severe SF6leak can flood the room to a concentration where oxygen is
deprived to a dangerously low level. Entering such confined spaces poses serious danger of
asphyxiation. Always ventilate such rooms before entering.
Do not operate the instrument with no sensor tip in place; there is risk of electric shock.
Commissioning
3.1. Battery Installation
Hold the instrument with the probe facing downwards, and the front panel towards you. With a
firm press by thumb, slide the battery compartment door towards the back of the instrument, and
remove it.
Batteries are inserted with the positive cap facing outwards, as indicated by the marking visible
inside the battery compartment.
3.2. Installing / Replacing the Sensor Tip
WARNING: Do not power up the instrument when no sensor tip is in place. Doing so may pose
hazard of electric shock.
Make sure the instrument is powered down before removing the sensor tip.
The sensor tip is installed by gently screwing it on hand-tight.
Only use sensor tips that are specified for this instrument. Using any other type of sensor tips,
even if they may mechanically fit, will result in compromised detection performance.

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Operation
4.1. Turn the detector on/off
Press the ON/OFF button to power up the detector. During the instrument’s initialization phase,
which takes about 5 seconds, all LEDs of the indicator bar will be lit. Then, the detector zeros itself
to the ambient atmosphere and only the first LED will be lit, indicating the instrument is now
ready for operation.
At this point, observe the colour of the first LED to check battery status:
Green = batteries are good
Orange = batteries are getting low, replace as soon as possible, Red = insufficient power for
normal operation.
Press ON/OFF again to power down the detector.
4.2. Recommended Leak Detection Procedures
4.2.1. Principle of detection
The SF6 LEAKMATE is built for relative detection, i.e. it will respond to positive changes in SF6
content of the sample air. Therefore, any background contamination is effectively suppressed.
The RESET button is used to trigger zeroing manually should conditions change during detection.
4.2.2. Precautions
Be sure to ventilate any closed space before entering to remove potentially dangerous
concentrations of SF6.
Be sure to remove any oil, condensed water or other liquids from the device under test before
you begin.
4.2.3. Spotting Leaks
Since the detector by design exhibits a certain level of response to the proximity of metal
surfaces, please observe the following procedure.
After turning on, bring the sensor tip in touch with the component under test. Always approach
surfaces at an angle, never flat on which would obstruct the air exchange in the sensor, and lead
to false alarms.
Then, press RESET and start detecting.
The audible and visual alarms will respond to the presence of SF6now. Scan the surface at a speed
of approx 25 mm / 1 inch per second or less. When an alarm occurs, reverse, and with slower
movement find the spot of highest response. For big leaks, use the SENSITIVITY buttons to reduce
the response as required so as to be able to find the peak concentration.

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Maintenance
5.1. Cleaning
Maintenance restricts to cleaning the instrument with a damp cloth, use mild detergent if
required. Do not use any solvents as they may be aggressive to the case material.
5.2. Sensor tip
The sensor tip may get contaminated over time, when a decay in sensitivity becomes apparent
soak it in absolute alcohol for a few minutes, then dry it carefully with compressed air. Again,
never use solvents; they may destroy the sensor tip. Always turn the instrument off before
removing the sensor tip!
5.3. Batteries
Always unload the batteries from the instrument when it is stored for extended periods of time.
Exhausted batteries may leak aggressive acid and damage the instrument.

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Troubleshooting
The detector fails to turn on:
•Batteries may be too weak to enable normal operation. Change batteries.
•Under harsh environmental conditions, the pole connector in the battery compartment
door may have become oxidized. Clean off any oxide and try again.
The detector won’t respond to a known leak
•The sensor tip may be contaminated.
Clean as pointed out above.
•The sensor tip is subject to aging and may be worn. Use a new sensor tip.
The detector gives false alarms
•The ambient atmosphere’s content of detectable substances may have changed Press
RESET to suppress any background levels that may be present.
•The sensor may be contaminated or worn out.
Clean sensor as described above, or use new sensor.
•The sensor was brought in contact with a metallic surface.
Press RESET while in contact with the specimen to readjust the detector.
•The air exchange in the sensor was obstructed.
Always approach surfaces at an angle, never flat on. Press RESET to readjust the detector.

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Technical Data
Detector Type
High Voltage Ionization
Sensitivity
approx. 1E-6 mbar l/s for SF6
Response / Recovery Time
approx. 1s
Audio
Frequency keyed alarm sound
Display
7 pos. LED Bar, tricolour
Probe
355 mm long, flexible
Self-Diagnostics
No
Certifications
CE-Declaration of Conformity
Dimensions
330 x 280 x 125 mm incl. Case
Weight
2100 g incl. Case and Accessories

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