UE Systems Ultraprobe 100 User manual

Version 1 1
ULTRAPROBE®100
Instruction Manual

Version 1 2
SafetyAdvisory
Please read before using your instrument
WARNING
Improper use ofyour ultrasonic detectormay result in death orserious injury. Observe all
safety precautions. Do not attempt to make any repairs or adjustments while the equipment
is operating. Be sure toturn off and LOCK OUT all electrical and mechanical sources before
performing any corrective maintenance.Always refer to local guidelines for appropriate
lockout and maintenance procedures.
Safety precaution:
Although your ultrasonic instrument is intended to be used while equipment is operating, the
close proximity of hot piping, electrical equipment and rotating parts are all potentially
hazardous to the user. Be sure to use extreme caution when usingyour instrument around
energizedequipment. Avoid direct contact with hot pipes or parts, any moving parts or
electrical connections. Do not attempt to check findings by touching the equipment with your
hands or fingers. Be sure to use appropriate lockout procedures when attempting repairs.
Be careful with loose hanging parts such as the wrist strap or headphone cord when
inspecting near moving mechanical devices since they may get caught. Don't touchmoving
parts with the contact probe. This may not only damage the part, but cause personal injury
as well.
When inspecting electrical equipment, use caution. High voltage equipment can cause
death orsevere injury. Do not touchlive electrical equipment withyour instrument. Use the
rubber focusing probe with the scanning module. Consult with your safety director before
entering the area and follow all safety procedures. In high voltage areas,keep the
instrument close to your body by keeping your elbows bent. Use recommended protective
clothing. Do not getclose to equipment. Your detector will locate problems at a distance.
When working around high temperature piping, usecaution. Use protective clothing and do
not attemptto touch any piping or equipment while it is hot. Consult with your safety director
before entering the area.

Version 1 3
The Ultraprobe 100..................................................................................................5
Components ...........................................................................................................6
Metered pistol housing .........................................................................................6
Bargraph Display..................................................................................................6
Battery Level Light................................................................................................6
Sensitivity Selection Dial........................................................................................6
Head Set Jack.......................................................................................................6
Trigger Switch......................................................................................................6
Scanning module..................................................................................................7
Rubber focusing probe: .........................................................................................7
Contact Stethoscope module .................................................................................8
Headset..............................................................................................................8
Premium Kit ........................................................................................................8
WTG-1 warble tone generator (premium kit)............................................................8
To use the WARBLE TONE GENERATOR:...................................................................9
To charge the Warble Tone Generator:....................................................................9
Ultraprobe applications ..........................................................................................10
leak detection....................................................................................................10
How to locate leaks ............................................................................................11
To confirm a leak:...............................................................................................11
Overcoming difficulties .......................................................................................11
Shielding techniques ...........................................................................................12
Low level leaks...................................................................................................12
Tone test (Ultratone ) .........................................................................................13
Do not use the Tone test in a complete vacuum......................................................14
Electric arc, corona, tracking detection .....................................................................15
Detecting bearing wear.......................................................................................16
Detecting bearing failure.....................................................................................17
For comparative test...........................................................................................17
Slow speed bearings ...........................................................................................17
General mechanical trouble shooting ....................................................................18
Trouble shooting ................................................................................................18
Locating faulty steam traps..................................................................................18
General steam/condensate/flash steam confirmation .............................................19

Version 1 4
Inverted bucket traps..........................................................................................19
Float and thermostatic........................................................................................19
Thermodynamic.................................................................................................19
Thermostatic traps .............................................................................................20
Locating faulty valves..........................................................................................20
Procedure for valve check:...................................................................................21
Confirming valve leakage in noisy pipe systems ......................................................21
Ultrasound technology ...........................................................................................22
Ultraprobe®100 Specifications................................................................................23

Version 1 5
The Ultraprobe 100
provides easy, accurate leak detection and mechanical inspection through
advanced ultrasonic technology.
Before you begin testing, it isadvisable to familiarize yourselfwith the basic components of
your kit.

Version 1 6
Components
Metered pistol housing
The main component of the Ultraprobe is its' pistol housing. From back to front, let's examine each
part.
Bargraph Display
The displayconsists of a ten segment LED bargraph that will indicate ultrasonic signal strength. A low
number of LEDs indicate a low level of ultrasound, conversely more intense ultrasonic signals will
display more LEDs.
Battery Level Light
This red light turns on only when the batteries needto be replaced.
NOTE: When the trigger on/off switch is pulled to the on position theBattery Level Light will flicker
on and then stay off. This is normal and has no relation to battery condition.
Sensitivity Selection Dial
There are eight (8)sensitivity levels which read out in related decibels of"0" to "70". As the dial is
turned to the right, to "0", the sensitivity ofthe instrument increases. As the dial is turned to the left,
to "70", the sensitivity decreases. A low level ultrasound emission produces low amplitude. For this
reason, the instrument should be in a high sensitivity position. 0 is the high sensitivity position. 0 is a
dB indication of threshold detection for the instrument. For higher amplitude signals, move the
sensitivity to the left towards "70". The dial dB indications, along withthe LED indications in the bar
graph may be usedto establishdB levels. To do this, just add 3 dB for each LED bargraph indication
to the dB level set in the sensitivity dial. EX: 0 dB on thesensitivity dial, plus 3 LED bargrah levels =
9dB (0+9). 40 dB on the sensitivity dial plus 4 bar graphs= 52 dB (40+12)
Head Set Jack
This is whereyou plug inthe headset. Besureto plug it in firmly until itclicks. Shouldatape recorder
be utilized, this is where thecord for the tape recorder is inserted. (Use a miniphone plug).
Trigger Switch
This is locatedon the underside ofthe Ultraprobe 100. The Ultraprobe is always "off" until thetrigger
switch is pressed. To operate, simply press the trigger; to turn the instrument off, release the trigger.

Version 1 7
Scanning module
This module is utilized to receive air-borne ultrasound such as the ultrasounds emitted by
pressure leaks and electrical discharges.
To use, make sure it is plugged in to the front end of the metered pistol housing by aligning the plug
with the receptical and inserting it firmly.
Scanning
Module
To use the Scanning Module:
1. Plug in to front end.
2. Start with the sensitivity selection dial at maximum (8).
3. Start to scan the test area.
The method of air borne detection is to go from the "gross to the fine". If there is too much ultrasound
in the area, reduce the sensitivity, place the RUBBER FOCUSING PROBE (described below) over the
scanning module and proceed to follow the test sound to its' loudest point. If it is difficult to locate the
sound due to a high intensity signal, keep reducing thesensitivity and following themeterto the
loudest point.
Rubber focusing probe:
The Rubber Focusing Probe is a circularshaped rubber shield. It is used to block out stray
ultrasound and to assist in narrowing the field of reception of the Scanning Module. It also
increases the sensitivity. To use,simply slip it over the front of the scanning module or the
contact module.
NOTE:To prevent damage to the module plug, always remove the module BEFORE
attaching and removing the Rubber Focusing Probe.

Version 1 8
Contact Stethoscope module
Contact Module
This is the module with the metal rod. This rod is utilized as a "wave-guide" that is sensitive to
ultrasound generated internally such as within a pipe, bearing housing, steam trap or wall. Once
stimulated by ultrasound, it transfers thesignal to a piezoelectric transducer located directly inthe
module housing.
To use the Stethoscope Module:
1. Align the pin located at the rear of the module with the jack in the front end ofthe Metered
Pistol Housing and plug in firmly.
2. Touch test area.
3. As with thescanning module, go from the "gross" to the "fine". Start a maximum sensitivity on
the Sensitivity Selection Dial and proceed to reduce the sensitivity until a satisfactorysound
and meter level is achieved.
Headset
Premium Kit
This heavy duty headset is designed to block out intense sounds often found in industrial
environments so that the user may easily hear thesounds received by the ULTRAPROBE. To use,
simply plugthe headset cord into the headset jack on the metered pistol housing, and place the
headphones over your ears. If a hard hat is to be worn, it is recommended to use UE Systems' model
UE-DHC-2HH Hard Hat Headphones which are specifically designed for hard hat use.
For those situations in which it is not possible or difficult to wear the standard headphones described
above, UE Systems has two options available:
1. the DHC 1991 Earpiece which loops around the ear, and
2. the SA-2000 Speaker Amplifier which is a loud speaker that is compatible with the
Ultraprobe headphone output jack.
WTG-1 warble tone generator (premium kit)
The WTG-1 Tone Generator is an ultrasonic transmitter designed to flood an area with ultrasound. It is
used for aspecial type of leak test. When placed inside an empty container or on one side of a test
item, it will flood that area with an intense ultrasound that will not penetrate any solid but will flow
through any existing fault or void. By scanning with theScanning Module, empty containerssuch as
pipes, tanks, windows, doors, bulkheads or hatchescan be instantly checkedfor leakage. This Tone
Generator is a WARBLE TONE GENERATOR. This internationally patented transmitter sweeps
through a number of ultrasonic frequencies in a fraction of a second to produce a strong, recognizable
"Warble" signal. The warble tone prevents a standing wave condition which can produce false
readings and provides for a consistency oftesting in practically any material.

Version 1 9
To use the WARBLE TONE GENERATOR:
1. Turn Tone Generator on by selecting either"LOW" for a lowamplitudesignal (usually
recommendedfor smallcontainers) or"HIGH" for high amplitude. In high, theWarble Tone
Generator will cover up to 113m³ (4,000cubic feet ) of unobstructed space. When the Tone
Generator is on, a red light (located below the recharge jack in the front) flickers.
2. Place the Warble Tone Generator within the test item/containerand seal or close it. Then scan
the suspect areas with the Scanning Module in the Ultraprobe and listen for where the"warble"
ultrasound penetrates. As an example, if the item to be tested is the seal around a window,
place theWarble Tone Generator on one side of the window, close it and proceed toscan on
the opposite side.
To test thecondition oftheWarble Tone Generator battery, set to the LOW INTENSITY position and
listen to the sound through the Ultraprobe headphones. Asmooth continuous warbling sound should
be heard. If a "beeping" is heard instead, then a full recharge of theWarble Tone Generator is
indicated.
To charge the Warble Tone Generator:
1. Use the recharger.
2. Plug the recharger cord into the recharge jack located on top of the front panel.
3. Plug the recharger into the local current supply
4. A completecharge will take 7hours.
5. Since there is no memory problem, the Tone Generator may be charged after short intervals
of use.
wtg1 warble tone generator (optional)

Version 1 10
Ultraprobe applications
leak detection
This section willcover airborne leak detection of pressure and vacuum systems. (Forinformation
concerned with internal leaks such as in Valves and Steam Traps, refer to the appropriate sections).
What produces ultrasoundin aleak?When a gas passes through a restricted orifice under pressure, it
is going from a pressurized laminar flow to low pressure turbulent flow. (Fig. 1). The turbulence
generates a broad spectrum ofsoundcalled "white noise". There are ultrasonic components in this
white noise. Since the ultrasound will be loudest by the leak site, the detection of thesesignals is
usually quite simple.
Figure 1: Pressure Leak
Figure 2: Vacuum Leak
A leakcan be in a pressurized system or in a vacuum system. In both instances, the ultrasound will
be produced in themanner described above. The only difference between the two is that a vacuum
leak will usually generate less ultrasonic amplitude than a pressure leak of the same flow rate. The
reason for this is that the turbulence produced by a vacuum leak is occurring within the vacuum
chamber while the turbulence of a pressure leak is generatedin the atmosphere. (Fig.2).
What type of gas leak will be detected ultrasonically? Generally any gas, including air, will produce a
turbulence when it escapes through a restrictedorifice. Unlike gasspecific sensors, the Ultraprobe is
sound specific.A gas specific sensor is limited to the particular gas it was designed to sense (e.g.,
helium). The Ultraprobe can sense any type of gas leak since it detects the ultrasound produced by
the turbulence of a leak.
Because of its versatility, the Ultraprobe may be utilized in a wide variety ofleak detection.
Pneumatic systems may bechecked, pressurizedcables, such as those utilized by telephone
companies, may be tested. Air brake systems on railroad cars, trucks, and buses may be checked.
Tanks, pipes, housings, casings andtubes are easilytested forleakage by pressurizing them.
Vacuum systems, turbine exhausts, vacuumchambers, material handlingsystems, condensers,
oxygen systems can all easily be tested for leakage by listening for the turbulence ofthe leak.