Have you ever wondered how leakage is measured? If the measurement method seems unfamiliar to you, you’re not alone.
While most of us have a general idea of how Pressure Decay Leak Test works, there are many important details that we often overlook.
Keep reading to learn more about pressure decay leak test and how it compares to other methods of checking for leaks in compressed air systems.
What is a Pressure Decay Leak Test?
If you are currently pursuing certification for your welders, then you need to know all of your options when it comes to testing them.
A pressure decay leak test is a good alternative if you want a type of leak testing that doesn’t require helium. Read on to learn more about how pressure decay leak testing works and what it can do for your welders.
Pressure decay testing is known as an alternative to helium leak testing because it does not use helium, which makes it a lot cheaper than helium gas.
The way that pressure decay leaks work is by using compressed air in place of helium to detect leaks in equipment components or sealants over time.
Using compressed air reduces costs but also helps speed up times since there isn’t any waiting around with other kinds of leak tests like there would be with inert gas nitrogen or oxygen tests.
Why Performing PDLT?
Testing your gas lines for leaks is important. While some types of gas lines, such as propane and natural gas, are considered non-flammable (meaning they do not burn), others may contain a flammable vapor—in these cases, you want to ensure that gases are properly vented and are not leaking into your home.
Pressure decay leak testing is often done in conjunction with other types of tests when repairing or servicing plumbing fixtures. Let’s take a look at how it works.
The test itself is pretty simple: all you need is a pressure gauge, an air compressor and an adjustable regulator.
Once everything is hooked up correctly, your job will be to slowly increase pressure inside the line until it reaches 15 PSI—you can typically achieve results within 5 minutes if everything goes well.
The higher pressures typically mean shorter test times but can also damage certain pipes if used incorrectly; there are ways around both issues so make sure to check with local codes before attempting any repairs yourself!
What Happens if I Fail PDLT?
The process of pressure decay leak testing is pretty simple; it’s a straightforward test in which you fill your tank with water and wait to see how long it takes for that water level to drop.
If, however, your tank fails pressure decay leak test, there are some important things you need to know about what happens next. Here’s a quick breakdown of what may happen if you fail PDLT: How Long Do I Have to Fix My Tank?: In most cases, you have 10 days from when you receive your failed PDLT results to fix your tank before having it reinspected. However, that doesn’t mean you can just go ahead and fix your tank within 10 days—you have to first contact an inspector who will then issue a new order allowing you time to make repairs.
Conclusion
So, that’s all there is to it! pressure decay leak test aren’t so scary after all. Now you know what they are and how they work, plus you have a good understanding of how to pass them with flying colors. Don’t wait any longer; start incorporating these tests into your new pipeline today!
