African Petrochemicals May/June Edition 14_3 {2017}

GAS LEAK
DETECTOR REDUCES
POTENTIAL UTILITY
EQUIPMENT
DAMAGE DUE TO
GAS LEAKS
Combination infrared camera and SF 6 gas leak detector precisely pinpoints
leaks as part of regular maintenance without taking equipment offline
C
M
Y
Identifying leaks of sulfur hexafluoride (SF 6 ),
which is used as an electrical insulator in
extremely high-voltage utilities applications,
generally requires the purchase or rental
of an expensive gas detector or hiring an
outside consultant. The alternatives are
shutting down equipment and using a
sniffer, which after some time, can determine
only the approximate area of the leak, or
coating the entire equipment in soapy
water and inspect, which is extremely time
consuming and also requires the equipment
to be powered down.
Fluke, locally represented by Comtest, has
the new Ti450 SF 6 gas leak detector that
combines a high-quality infrared camera with
an SF 6 leak detector that visually pinpoints
the location of SF 6 leaks without shutting
equipment down. The Ti450 SF 6 allows utility
crews to include it as a normal part of their
maintenance routine, allowing them to
conduct both infrared and gas inspections
whenever and wherever necessary. It
eliminates the need to wait for special annual
or bi-annual leak inspections — and the
corresponding expensive equipment rentals
or contractors — so maintenance work can
be done as required, reducing potential
equipment damage.
“Leak detection in utility equipment
has always been a disruptive operation
that requires expensive equipment and
equipment downtime,” said Brian Knight,
Fluke Thermography Business Unit Manager.
“The Fluke Ti450 SF 6 makes it incredibly
convenient to make leak detection part
of regular maintenance identifying the
problems so leak corrections can be
performed during a scheduled maintenance
period.”
The pistol-grip Ti450 SF 6 makes diagnoses
of issues point-and-shoot convenient, even
in hard to reach or high overhead locations.
With the Ti450 SF 6 , technicians can monitor
leaks more frequently allowing maintenance
to be scheduled at a convenient time without
unplanned downtime. The leak detector can
also be used to quickly verify that the repair
was fixed.
The infrared camera includes the awardwinning
LaserSharp® Auto Focus that delivers
instant focus on a single target using a
built-in laser distance meter to calculate and
display the distance to the designated target
with pinpoint accuracy. LaserSharp Auto
Focus enables technicians to precisely target
up to 100 feet away for infrared readings and
SF 6 gas detection
no matter how
awkward the
position of the
target. This makes
it safe to measure
around high voltage
areas and potentially
dangerous areas. It also features Fluke IR-
Fusion® technology, which combines both
digital and infrared images in one for better
clarity. By adjusting the blending of the
image, technicians can easily detect then
pinpoint the exact location of the SF 6 gas
leak.
The Ti450 SF 6 comes complete with 2x
telephoto smart lens, tripod holder for
mounting to any industry standard tripod,
eye piece, cable, viewer, batteries and
chargers, all in a hard shell carrying case. SF 6
gas detection training tools, including a stepby-step
instructional video, are also available.
COMTEST
For more information on the new Fluke
Ti450 SF 6 gas leak detector, or for upcoming
seminars, demos or to locate the nearest
dealer, contact COMTEST on 010 595 1821 or
sales@comtest.co.za
CM
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CY
CMY
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