Refrigerant Leak Detection

Refrigerants are used in closed cooling, chilling, or freezing circuits in households, healthcare, the food and manufacturing industries, and other applications. Common types of refrigerants are liquid or gaseous substances that ensure optimal temperature but can be harmful to health and have a negative impact on the environment. Some refrigerants are even toxic and, in the event of a leak, can cause irritation to the eyes, skin, or respiratory tract and, in extreme cases, can lead to serious health complications. The leakage of cooling operational substances also has other serious impacts: air and groundwater pollution, death of animals and plants, fire risk, and also an impact on the proper functioning and lifespan of the equipment using the refrigerant. If the system is not sufficiently cooled, it can lead to overheating of the equipment or its complete destruction, or to damage to stored products. Therefore, it is necessary to detect a refrigerant leak as soon as possible to prevent not only the loss of the operational substance but also potential damage.

When selecting detection for refrigerant leaks, it is important to consider:

• the operational cooling substance
• whether it is for domestic, commercial, or industrial use (or the purpose of the equipment)
• potential consequences of a refrigerant leak
• the temperature of the location where the detector is situated
• humidity and the amount of condensation at the detector's location

Commonly Used Refrigerants and Their Detection

Leak Detection in Households

In households, cooling substances are most commonly used in heat pumps, air conditioners, refrigerators, and freezers. If a refrigerant leak occurs, the health of your loved ones is at risk, as well as the functionality and lifespan of the device itself. Purchasing a new one or refilling the operational substance can cost tens of thousands of crowns. Therefore, it is advisable to equip the system not only with a refrigerant leak detector but also with a safety shut-off valve that will keep the remaining cooling substance inside the device.

Refrigerant Leak DetectorShut-off Valves for Cooling

Leak Detection for Commercial and Industrial Cooling

In the commercial and industrial sectors, cooling gases and liquids are used in cooling boxes, freezing equipment, ice makers, cold storage, warehouses, air conditioning, and other applications where cooling or freezing is required. Industrial and commercial uses of cooling operational substances are governed by the EN 378 standard, which mandates the monitoring of refrigerant leaks. Moreover, these are usually spaces where a large number of employees or customers are present, so increased safety and health protection of these individuals should be ensured.

To prevent a massive refrigerant leak in the event of system damage, it is advisable to integrate a safety shut-off valve into the system, which will keep the remaining cooling substance inside the device.

Refrigerant Leak Detectors for Industrial and Commercial Applications

Complete Security

For complete security against refrigerant leaks in commercial and industrial applications, in addition to timely detection, it is important to properly assess the situation and the level of danger and secure the affected area. Refrigerant detection control panels evaluate potential hazards based on settings and collected data from sensors and ensure the activation of alarms, possibly even ventilation. Although the detectors themselves have sound and LED alarms, in larger applications, the alert may not be sufficient, so it is advisable to secure the entire area with a visual and acoustic alarm throughout the facility.

Select a Refrigerant Detector for Greater Safety