The Importance of Refrigerant Leak Detectors and Fast Refrigerant Leak Detection
Refrigerant leaks are far more common in the HVAC and Refrigeration industries than many realize. And the effects of unaddressed leaks can range from being a mild inconvenience to causing a deadly working environment. Even small leaks, which may go unnoticed, can still be detrimental for business. They can result in increased refrigerant expenses and energy costs.
And if the leak becomes severe, it can damage inventory, resulting in further business losses, and create an unsafe environment for workers. In the unfortunate instance that someone were to suffer health effects from exposure to the refrigerant, the company’s liability could result in worker’s compensation expenses, litigation costs, or even payouts for settlements to those impacted by the leak.
Many businesses try to maximize the ROI of their older and outdated refrigeration units. But unaddressed refrigerant leaks can also incur hefty fines for companies that violate new regulations requiring them to address leaks quickly. To make a long story short, it is generally far more cost-effective for businesses to quickly discover and address refrigerant leaks; this can prevent many additional expenses and reduce the risk of a hazardous working environment.
Refrigerant leak detectors can warn users of a leak so that it can be resolved quickly. The technology exists for business owners to maintain compliance with environmental regulations and optimize workplace safety by preventing refrigerant leaks. But the process of selecting the right leak detector can be rather daunting since the technology behind leak detection is so advanced.
Key Characteristics in Refrigerant Leak Detectors
Fortunately, there are key characteristics you can identify when selecting an optimal sensor for your environment, including:
Speed: Refrigerants can be hazardous and/or flammable gases. In high concentrations, they can even be explosive. To address leaks quickly and ensure your workplace stays safe, you need a detector that will provide you with a fast alert. Any detector that takes more than a couple of seconds to respond simply won’t cut it. A leak can go from dangerous to deadly in that same time frame – and your detector should be able to provide you with the necessary information you need to vacate the area and secure the leak as quickly as possible.
Accuracy: Accuracy in gas detection is essential, although it can be difficult to obtain under certain environmental conditions, such as low-oxygen or high humidity. Refrigerant leak detectors must provide accurate readings for a wide variety of gases under all possible environmental conditions experienced in your workplace.
Total Cost: When shopping for the best refrigerant leak detector, many individuals focus on the initial cost. And while this figure is important, it’s also crucial to understand the total cost of ownership. Some sensors must be calibrated or replaced more frequently than others. It’s a good idea to know the life expectancy of any sensor you consider, as well as how frequently it must be calibrated. These elements give you a good idea of the total cost of ownership.
Ease of Use: When gas detectors must be replaced frequently – as is the case with those that are vulnerable to poisoning – users sometimes struggle with operating them. And the last thing you want during a potential leak is difficulty getting the sensor to work properly. Some sensors may also give false positives, and if you don’t understand the conditions in which it can occur, your workplace may be in danger of an undetected leak.
These are key criteria that all users should consider when purchasing a refrigerant leak detector.
The MPS™ Sensor – How it Works to Detect Refrigerant Leaks
There are many areas where it is clear that NevadaNano’s MPS Refrigerant Gas Sensor offers far more benefits than other sensors on the market. To understand what makes these refrigerant leak detectors superior, it’s a good idea to learn a bit about how they work.
The Molecular Property Spectrometer™ (MPS) Refrigerant Gas Sensor’s transducer is a micro-machined membrane with an embedded Joule heater and resistance thermometer. The MEMS transducer is mounted onto a PCB and open to the surrounding environment. The presence of a flammable refrigerant gas causes changes in the thermodynamic properties of the air/gas mixture that are measured by the transducer and reported accurately to the user.
The MPS detector’s performance speaks for itself regarding the key characteristics required for an optimal refrigerant leak detector.
Speed: Average response time is under 6 seconds, ensuring dangerous conditions are reported sooner.
Accuracy: The MPS sensor was the only detector in recent testing of “currently commercially available refrigerant leak detectors” that could pass 100% of the requirements, including those related to accuracy. There are no false positives with the MPS sensor, and they are immune to poisoning.
Cost: The MPS sensor is competitively priced and requires no calibration interval and has a
life expectancy of 10 or more years – resulting in a low overall total cost of ownership.
Easy to Use: The MPS A2L Refrigerant Gas Sensor is easy to use. With a long life-expectancy, users can get comfortable with knowing how to operate it quickly and effortlessly. MPS sensors are also available for integration into existing refrigeration systems to provide reliable monitoring around the clock. This sensor also provides no false positives and is immune to poisoning. It has a built-in self-test function for fail-safe operation. Users can feel confident that this sensor will work quickly and accurately every time they pick it up.
An MPS sensor can ensure that leaks are detected quickly, allowing you to fix them fast. Ultimately, this can result in lowering your operational costs while providing greater consistency for the items you need to keep cool. MPS sensors incorporate the latest in refrigerant leak detection technology to ensure that your workplace remains safe.
They can also ensure compliance is maintained with all emerging governmental regulations related to the use of refrigerants. The penalties for violating international, federal, state, or local laws will likely continue to rise as climate change concerns grow. NevadaNano’s MPS A2L Refrigerant Gas Sensor can give you greater peace of mind at an affordable price.
To learn more about how the MPS outperforms traditional sensors, check out: How the MPS Outperforms Catalytic Bead Sensor and NDIR Sensor