1.Case introduction: a "water leakage unsolved case" that lasted for half a year
Last summer, the water bill of an old community soared for 6 consecutive months, and the property tried 4 traditional methods:
Knock on the wall and listen to the sound: 3 workers knock on the wall in shifts, only locking the 5-meter blur range;
Ground excavation: blindly excavated 3 floor tiles, and spent 20,000 yuan on maintenance but did not find the leakage;
Fluorescent reagent: After the dye is injected, the observation is completely invalid due to serious corrosion of the pipeline;
Pressure test: Close the main valve for 8 hours, and the water pressure fluctuation is disturbed by the water used by other residents.
In the end, the landlord complained continuously, and the property manager rented a pipe acoustic leak detector with the mentality of trying it out, and it only took 2 hours to locate a 1mm crack at a depth of 60cm in the wall, with an error of only 3cm. The cost of repairs dropped from an estimated 50,000 yuan to 800 yuan.
2. Comparison of actual measurements: traditional vs technology, data speaks
Together with our engineering team, we conducted controlled experiments on 3 common detection methods:
(1). Detection method: manual listening rod, it takes 2-3 days to locate the error ≥50cm, local holes are required, and the comprehensive cost is 3000-5000 yuan.
(2). Detection method: segmented pressure test, which takes 1-2 weeks and cannot be accurately located, and the comprehensive cost is 8,000-15,000 yuan.
(3). Detection method: sonic leak detector, it takes 2 hours, the positioning ≤ 5cm, no damage, and the comprehensive cost is 500-2000
Experimental results subvert cognition:
Time cost: the efficiency of the leak detector is increased by more than 10 times;
Accuracy: The error is reduced from "one meter range" to "the length of a pencil";
Concealed engineering: no need to destroy walls/floor tiles, especially suitable for hardcover rooms and cultural relics.
3. Principle revealed: Why can the leak detector "see" through the pipeline?
(1). Acoustic detection technology
When the pipe is damaged, the water flow will generate a sound wave signal of 20-5000Hz, and the professional instrument can accurately locate it through the following steps:
Signal capture: The high-sensitivity sensor identifies the sound wave frequency unique to water leakage; Intelligent noise cancellation: filter environmental noise (such as traffic and human voices);
3D imaging: Generate a leak heat map from the difference in sound wave intensity. "It's like a doctor using a stethoscope to find the location of a heart murmur" – a test engineer analogy.
(2). Infrared thermal imaging aid
For leakage of hot water pipes or floor heating, the temperature difference of 0.05°C is identified: the surface temperature of the leakage area is 1-3°C lower than that of the surrounding area due to heat absorption by evaporation, and the false positive rate can be reduced by 90% in combination with the humidity sensor.
4. Pit avoidance guide: how to choose the right leak detector?
(1). See the user guide
Household indoor: home leak detectors such as Pucci L30, L40, L50 models can be selected; The instrument can be equipped with horizontal and vertical sensors, suitable for different detection environments such as indoor floors, walls, cabinets, etc., through the collection and analysis of water leakage sound signals, to achieve the effect of accurate positioning, and effectively solve the problem of household pipe leakage.
Professional extranet: Pucci L2000, L7000 leak detector can be selected, the instrument is suitable for water leakage detection of tap water, fire protection, heating pipes, etc.
Indoor and outdoor: If there is a need for testing both inside and outside, you can choose Pucci L3000, L4000, L5000, L7000 and other models. A variety of probe configurations are included to accommodate indoor and outdoor inspections.
(2). Select the adaptation function
Cold water pipe leakage: sonic leak detector pressure test equipment
Hot water pipes or underfloor heating pipes: sonic leak detectors Thermal imagers detect more accurately.
5. Real feedback from users
"I used to think that high-tech instruments were IQ taxes, until I heard the sound of water leakage in the instrument and saw the results of visual spectrum analysis and detection... Now the inspection fee is much cheaper than hiring workers to dig blindly! ——Mr. Zhang, the property manager of a community
Sixth, write at the end
Pipeline leakage detection is no longer the era of "relying on experience to get the answer", accuracy error, cost control, and construction damage are the core indicators to measure the solution. Instead of repeatedly excavating and trying your luck, it is better to use technology to do an "accurate physical examination" of the pipeline.
