Jacobs SNIFFER 430 User manual

0
SNIFFER 430
User Manual
APRIL 2023

SNIFFER 430
USER MANUAL | Jacob’s MC
1APR 2023 | PAGE
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
1
The use and principle of application
2
Safety and Liability
3
Warranty
4
Technical specifications
5
Prior to first-time use
8 8
Operation
8
Troubleshooting
11

SNIFFER 430
USER MANUAL | Jacob’s MC
2APR 2023 | PAGE
The use and principle of application
1. The SNIFFER430 system is used to pinpoint leaks in pipes or vessels
using the tracer gas technique. The system consists of a measurement
device and a wireless hydrogen (H2) sensor (Figures 1-2). The tracer
gas used is a mixture of 95% nitrogen and 5% hydrogen gas. The
SNIFFER430 system is specifically useful for detecting small leaks in
underground and under-floor water lines.
2.
3. The principle of operation is based on the injection of tracer gas under
pressure into an inspected piping or vessel, followed by a step-by-step
search for the area where the tracer gas is escaping. Tracer gas
presence is detected by the H2 sensor, which wirelessly transfers gas
readings via Bluetooth to the device. The device converts the readings
into parts per million (PPM) H2 values and presents them graphically
to the user. In most cases, the area where the maximum PPM values
were observed corresponds to the leak position. However, in some
cases, such as under-floor jacketed pipes or pipes that are partially
underlying soil and concrete slab, the actual position of leaks can be
located at some distance from the area where maximum PPM levels
were measured.
Figure 1. SNIFFER 430 Device

SNIFFER 430
USER MANUAL | Jacob’s MC
3APR 2023 | PAGE
Figure 2. SNIFFER 430 H2Sensor
Safety and Liability
This manual contains important information related to safety and
proper use of the SNIFFER430 system. Read it carefully before the
first use of the equipment. Keep this manual for future reference.
Use the SNIFFER430 system only for the intended use described in
Section 1 of this manual.
Keep the system away from direct sunlight.
Do not immerse the system in water or sludge.
Do not operate the system in areas with high dust, sand, or powder
concentration.
Safety instructions related to the use, storage, and transport of tracer
gas pressure vessels, hoses, manometers, and other pressure
equipment, as well as the procedure of tracer gas injection, are
outside the scope of this manual and must be obtained from the
supplier of the pressure equipment.

SNIFFER 430
USER MANUAL | Jacob’s MC
4APR 2023 | PAGE
The user is solely responsible for the use of the SNIFFER430 system,
measurement of gas readings, interpretation of readings and their
validity, professional conclusions, leak detection, excavations related
to leak exposure, and all other works or factors related to the system
operation or leak detection. The producer or reseller of the
SNIFFER430 system is not liable for any damages arising from the
use of the system or decisions taken based on the system
performance or readings.
Warranty
The SNIFFER430 system comes with a one-year limited warranty.
The warranty does not cover any mechanical damages.
The warranty is immediately void in case of improper use, alteration,
modification, or opening the SNIFFER430 Device, H2 Sensor, AC adaptor,
or any of their components.

SNIFFER 430
USER MANUAL | Jacob’s MC
5APR 2023 | PAGE
Technical Specifications
Table 1 summarizes the technical specifications of the SNIFFER 430 system.
SNIFFER 430 device
Specifications
Screen size and type
Capacitive touch-screen, 7 inch
Power
Replaceable Li-Ion 3.7V 3000mAh (or higher)
18650 batteries (2 units, included)
Power adapter: Input: AC
100-240V, 50-60Hz
Output: DC 12V, 5A
Dimensions
7.75 x 4.76 x 1.42 inches (without silicone cover)
8.19 x 5.20 x 2.09 inches (with silicone cover)
Operational temperature range
-14°F to 122°F
SNIFFER 430 sensor
Specifications
Gas detector
Hydrogen, H2gas
PPM readings
resolution
1.0 PPM H2
Gas sensor heat-up time
1.5 to 10 minutes (may vary under different
environmental conditions)
Gas sensor pump flow-rate
0.4 gallons per minute (GPM)
PPM update rate
1.0 second
Sensor to Device
communication
Wireless communication: Bluetooth Low Energy
(BLE4)
Communication distance: 30 feet in open space
Power
Replaceable Li-Ion 3.7V 3000mAh (or higher)
18650
battery (1 unit, included)

SNIFFER 430
USER MANUAL | Jacob’s MC
6APR 2023 | PAGE
Power adapter: Input: AC 100-240V, 50-60Hz
Output: DC 12V, 5A
Electric plug type: 2-pins
Dimensions
Length: 31.5 inches
Sensor diameter: 2.36 inches
Rubber suction cup diameter: 3.94 inches
Operational temperature range
-14°F to 122°F
Package and scope of delivery
Specifications
SNIFFER 430 system
SNIFFER 430 system package
(Figure 3) includes:
1. SNIFFER 430 Device
2. SNIFFER 430 H2 Sensor
3. AC power adapter
4. Silicone rubber protection case for
SNIFFER 430 Device
5. Neck strap and hand strap
6. Rugged plastic case
Package dimensions
18.11 x 13.39 x 7.48 inches
Package weight
approximately 11.7 lbs
Table 1. Technical data of SNIFFER 430

SNIFFER 430
USER MANUAL | Jacob’s MC
7APR 2023 | PAGE
Figure 3. SNIFFER 430 System kit

SNIFFER 430
USER MANUAL | Jacob’s MC
8APR 2023 | PAGE
Prior to First-Time Use
Install a 18650 lithium battery into the battery compartment of the
sensor. The battery should be placed with the positive terminal facing
the "+" sign marked in the battery compartment.
Install two 18650 lithium batteries into the battery compartment of the
device. The batteries should be placed according to the "+" signs
marked in the battery compartment.
Connect the charger to the sensor and the device. Check that the charge
illuminators are red and switch on the sensor and the device.
The battery has to be fully charged before first-time use.
Remove the charger, and the sensor and the device will continue to
work after this initialization.
Operation
Switch on Device and H2 Sensor in an area where no traces of H2 gas
are present. The Device On/Off button is located on the top edge of the
device (Figure 4). The H2 Sensor On/Off button is located on the top
edge of the H2 Sensor (Figure 4).
Once the Device detects the wireless H2 Sensor, the SENSOR
CONNECTED button will be shown in blue color (Figure 5).
Switch on the H2 Sensor pump using the PUMP button (Figure 5) on
the Device screen when the PREPARING message disappears.
After the H2 Sensor is switched on, initial heating of the sensor is
performed (the system cannot be used during the heat-up time). Once
the H2 Sensor is available for work, a beep sound will begin. Note:
Please note that the initial values of PPM may be above zero due to

SNIFFER 430
USER MANUAL | Jacob’s MC
9APR 2023 | PAGE
different factors such as air humidity or traces of gas trapped inside the
sensor from the previous use. In such a case, the user can wait several
more minutes with the H2 Sensor pump switched on until the PPM
value drops to zero. We recommend always keeping the pump working
to allow fast air circulation through the H2 Sensor. Even if the initial
PPM values are above zero for any reason, it does not limit or prevent
performing a leak detection.
Stream tracer gas under pressure into piping or vessel after closing all
valves and openings through which gas can escape.
Walk slowly along the pipe or vessel, while directing the H2 Sensor
towards the examined structure.
When H2 gas is detected, the PPM value will rise. Walk around the
area where gas is detected to establish where PPM values are the
highest. Take PPM readings using the TAKE A READING button
(Figure 5) to assist in finding the area with the highest PPM readings.
This area may have the highest probability of a leak (but not always).
Push the speaker button (Figure 5) to switch on/off the beeping sound
used to assist in leak detection.
Adjust the brightness of the screen using the + and –buttons (Figure 5).
Clear the reading graph by pressing the CLEAR button (Figure 5).
At the end of the work, switch off the device using the Device On/Off
button on the screen (Figure 5) and wait until the screen switches off.
Switch off the H2 Sensor by pressing the On/Off button (Figure 4).
Clean the Sensor filter from large particles using a brush if needed.

SNIFFER 430
USER MANUAL | Jacob’s MC
10APR 2023 | PAGE
Figure 4. SNIFFER 430 Device and H2 Sensor
1. Device On/Off button
2. Device AC adapter power socket
3. Device battery status LED
4. Device reset button
5. H2 Sensor On/Off button
6. Air outlet
7. H2 Sensor AC adapter power socket
8. H2 Sensor battery status LED
Figure 5. SNIFFER 430 Device Software

SNIFFER 430
USER MANUAL | Jacob’s MC
11APR 2023 | PAGE
Troubleshooting
Problem
Solution
1
Device does not detect the H2 Sensor
Check if the H2 Sensor is switched
on
2
Gas readings are reducing too
slowly after exposure to tracer gas
Check if the sensor air outlet
(small opening on the top edge
of H2 Sensor, see Figure 4) is
blocked. Use a small diameter
wire to clean the opening. If this
does not solve the problem,
contact service for further
assistance.
3
Device shows a non-zero value when
switched on
Turn on the pump on the H2
Sensor and wait until
PPM values drop
4
Device does not switch on (no blue light
on the switch button)
Press the reset button located on
the left side of the power jack
inlet on the device's top
edge (Figure 4)