Guide to Refrigeration Gas Leak Detection & Tips for Using the TIF 5000 halogen leak detector

TIF 5000 GAS DETECTOR - Using the TIF 5000 Gas Detector & pocket-sized gas detectors for refrigerant gas detection and for furnace heat exchanger leak tests
- Guide to detecting flue gas leaks, heat exchanger leaks, carbon monoxide, chimney leaks, sewer gas leaks
- Warnings about using instruments for detection of toxic gases
- Recommendations for gas measurement instruments, gas detection methods
- Guide to using the TIF 5000 Gas Detector for air conditioning and refrigerant gas leaks
- Warnings about using instruments for detection of toxic gases
- How do we detect leaks in air conditioning or refrigeration equipment
- What are the common causes of refrigerant gas leaks in HVAC systems?
- Where to look first for leaks in air conditioning or heat pump refrigeration piping systems (also refrigerators & freezers)
- What are the effects of refrigerant leaks on operation of the equipment: moisture, dirt in the system, and what goes wrong
- What are the effects of air, moisture, or dirt contamination in the refrigeration system?
- Other refrigerant gas leak detection methods
Drager GAS DETECTORS
REFRIGERANT LEAK REPAIR - separate article
Questions & Answers about buying and using refrigerant gas detection equipment to test for refrigerant leaks at air conditioners, heat pumps, and other refrigeration equipment
References

Click to Show or Hide Related Topics

InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.

Refrigerant gas leak detection, location, & repair: this article describes refrigerant gas leak detector tools and the methods used to find refrigerant gas leaks such as Freon leaks and other halogen gas leaks. We also discuss where refrigerant leaks most often occur. We explain the effects of refrigerant leaks on air conditioners and heat pumps, refrigerators, freezers, etc. including both the effects of lost refrigerant and the effects of refrigerant piping leaks that admit moisture and dirt contamination into the system. We also explain how a refrigeration gauge set should be connected to HVAC equipment to avoid contamination damage.

Guide to Refrigerant Leak Detection & Types & Tips for Using the TIF 5000 automatic halogen gas leak detector

In related documents we give references and explanation regarding toxicity of several of the most common indoor gases, based on literature search and obtained from the U.S. government and expert sources. This text may assist readers in understanding these topics. However it should by no means be considered exhaustive.

Readers should see LOST COOLING CAPACITY, also see REFRIGERANT LEAK REPAIR at our discussion of REFRIGERANTS & PIPING under AIR CONDITIONING & HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS.

As we explain in our articles on lost cooling capacity or air conditioning systems or heat pumps that are not working (see AIR CONDITIONING & HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS), a refrigerant leak in your air conditioner or heat pump means that eventually it will just not produce cool air (during air conditioning) nor warm air (during heating if it's also a heat pump).

Carson Dunlop Associates' sketch (left) illustrates some of the common areas where vibration or other stresses or damage are often the cause of leaks in refrigerant piping at a home air conditioner or heat pump.

Before assuming that you need to add refrigerant, see the diagnostic steps at LOST COOLING CAPACITY.

Refrigerant leak detection methods

Using a sensitive instrument such as the TIF 5000 is a useful way to quickly find refrigerant gas leaks on air conditioning and heat pump systems. Alternative leak locating methods are also useful, such as a thorough visual inspection for stains or discoloration at HVAC refrigerant piping, evaporator or cooling coils, condensing coils, and fittings. In addition, some HVAC technicians include a leak-detecting oil in the refrigerant charge in order to (possibly) provide visual evidence of where leaks are occurring in the system.

Some common causes of air conditioner or heat pump refrigerant leaks include:

refrigerant lines rubbed together due to vibration
ice pick damage from an inexpert "repairman" trying to get ice off of a cooling coil
corrosion at either the condensing or evaporating coil

Refrigerant leaks occur at a number of locations on cooling equipment, including

Corroded cooling coil in the air handler unit - costly repair, usually need to replace the coil
Corroded condensing coil in the condenser unit - costly repair, usually need to replace the coil
Mechanically damaged refrigerant lines, for example due to vibration against hard surfaces
Poorly soldered fittings or controls
Leaky connections at controls or control valves

Practical tips for checking for refrigerant gas leaks

What most refrigerant gas leak testing instrument instructions fail to point out is a practical procedure for actually examining air conditioning or refrigeration systems for refrigerant gas leaks.

The refrigerant piping and cooling and condensing coils will need to be exposed for ready access.
The leak detector is turned on and its proper operation confirmed.
The detector tip is held close to the refrigerant piping and cooling coil surfaces, sequentially, starting at a convenient point and following all of the piping and tubing throughout its length.
Look for stains on refrigerant piping or controls which may indicate a history of leaks (and refrigerant oil leakage too) at those locations.
Listen for a whistling thermostatic expansion valve - a sign of low refrigerant discussed in detail at Thermostatic Expansion Valve (TEV) or Capillary Tube Installation, Inspection, & Testing Guide

How to Diagnose Types of Leaks of Refrigerant Leaks in HVAC Systems

Effects of refrigerant leaks or loss of charge show up in different ways depending on where the refrigerant leak is occurring.

Leaks on the high side of a refrigeration system show up as loss of refrigerant and will be discovered.

Leaks on the low side of a refrigeration system are harder to discover until enough air leaks into the refrigerant piping system. At that point the compressor head pressure goes way up until a safety device shuts down the compressor motor or a service tech discovers a problem. A leak on the low side is ugly because now the whole system has become contaminated with air, moisture, and dirt.

Effects of Refrigerant Leaks: Dirt & Moisture on Thermostatic Expansion Valves or Capillary Tube Refrigerant Metering Devices

Moisture freezes in the refrigerant metering device, further interfering with proper cooling system operation, and dirt can also jam up a TEV or clog a capillary tube. When moisture is freezing up a thermostatic expansion valve the system will stop working (and thus begin to warm up) until the ice melts. The system may run normally for some time - until water droplets pass through the system and again reach the TEV and cause it to freeze again.

Unlike moisture, dirt in the refrigeration system is more likely to cause the Thermostatic Expansion Valve to clog and just stop working permanently, as it can also do a capillary tube metering system.

You might diagnose a moisture-in-expansion valve or cap tube problem by adding heat to the device to see if it will thaw and begin operating.

See THERMOSTATIC EXPANSION VALVES for details about these devices.

Moisture in the refrigerant piping system also mixes with the refrigerant to form an acid which can short out compressor motor windings by dissolving the lacquer on the wire windings. Refrigerant combined with moisture becomes a black stinky liquid.

Effects of Air in the refrigeration system; how we diagnose the presence of air inside the air conditioner or heat pump

The pressure of air is additive to the pressure of the refrigerant in any refrigeration system. And of course the amount of air pressure that is added to the system depends on the temperatures of the refrigerant gas, compressor, coils, etc. Put simply, air inside the refrigerant handling system (piping, controls, compressor, coils) raises the pressure on both the HIGH and LOW sides of the system even if the air is not also adding moisture. The result is that the air conditioner or heat pump operates at a lower efficiency.

For example, at 70 degF and using R12 refrigerant, we would expect the static or idle (compressor not running) pressure of the refrigerant in the system to be at 70 psi.

How We Know Air has Contaminated the Refrigerant System

If you know that your refrigerant is R12 and that the pressure should be 70 psi when the A/C or heat pump has not run in some time, and ambient temperature is also 70F.

So provided there are no blockages or clogs in the system refrigerant piping, coils, compressor, controls, (see REFRIGERANT DRIERS & FILTERS
for a blockage example) then IF you see a gauge pressure (GAUGE, REFRIGERATION PRESSURE TEST) higher than 70 psi that suggests you have air in the system. You may in fact see high head pressure and high back pressure if there is significant air contamination in the refrigerant.

And if the air conditioner/heat pump or other refrigeration system is contaminated by any of the problem materials we've discussed: air, moisture, dirt and debris, you will need to evacuate and vacuum the system to remove these contaminants.

Suggestions for Using the TIF5000 to detect refrigerant leaks

The TIF 5000 automatic halogen leak detector is used for air conditioning and cooling system refrigerant leak detection. The TIF 5000 replaces and combines functions previously provided by the TIF HLD440 halogen leak detector, with an added circuit which TIF refers to as "automatic ambient control". This feature "adjusts and corrects for the atmospheric ambient refrigerant in the vicinity of the tip." [TIF 5000 product literature].

As you'll notice in our photograph of our instrument, its external appearance is similar to the TIF 8800 except that the 8800 detects a wide range of combustible gases while the TIF 5000 is designed to focus on the halogen gases - air conditioning refrigerants such as the now discontinued R12 and R22. The instrument weighs about 28 ounces and is 8" x 3" x 1.8" in size, not counting the length of the flexible sensor tip.

What gases does the TIF 5000 leak detector detect?

The TIF 5000 halogen leak detector is used principally on air conditioning and refrigeration equipment, heat pumps, and possibly dehumidifiers.

This leak detector also detects the following halogen gases or halogen gas mixtures:

Ethylene Oxide gas leaks (hospital sterilizing equipment - detects the freon mixture)
Most gases containing Chlorine
Most gases containing Fluorine
Most gases containing Bromine
Dry cleaning industry cleaning agent or solvent gases can also be detected using this instrument

Step by Step Guide to Using the TIF 5000 Leak Detector on Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Equipment

Instructions for use of the TIF5000 to check for refrigerant gas leaks couldn't be much simpler, and they are printed on a label affixed to the device:

Turn the TIF 5000 on.

a. If the red LED does not light, replace the batteries in the detector. The instrument has a virtually instant "on" feature and should not require a warm-up time.

b. If the red LED lights but the instrument does not emit a tone, replace the sensing tip
Begin searching for leaks of refrigerant gas or halogens

But as with other gas leak detection devices of this type, if you're using the TIF 5000 refrigerant gas leak detector in an area which may already be contaminated with a high level of gas leakage, special (but simple) steps are needed to permit the leak detector to find the point of refrigerant gas leakage:

In an area heavily contaminated with refrigerant, (when a rapid, high pitched beeping signal [is heard]), turn [the] instrument off and then back on [while in the contaminated area] and resume testing for leaks.

This procedure is the opposite of what we do with the TIF8800 when testing for combustible gases (and the hazards are different since halogen gases do not present an explosion hazard).

Critical Maintenance Tips for Refrigerant Gas Leak Detectors

The sensing tip on the TIF 5000 and some of the electronics of the instrument therefore are of course different.

Because debris contamination will interfere with proper operation of the TIF5000 halogen leak detector (refrigerant gas leak detector) the sensor is supplied with filter paper pre-cut into a cross shape which is inserted around the sensing tip under its protective spring cover. When the paper is soiled it is simply replaced.

The glass vial shown in our photo contains a substance used to confirm that the sensing tip will respond to a halogen gas (refrigerant gas) leak as it should.

Here are some tips from TIF for maintenance of the TIF 5000 Halogen Leak Detector

To change the sensing tip: turn of the TIF 5000 leak detector before changing the sensing tip. Turn the tip counter-clockwise to remove it, and attach the new tip by turning it clockwise when screwing it in place. Screw the new tip finger tight. Do not contaminate the new tip with oil or grease such as hand cleaner or refrigerant oil, and do not get your sweat on the tip. To protect the tip from contamination by dust and grease during use, use the filter paper we show in the photo above. Use a new filter paper when installing a new sensor tip.

Spare sensor tips: A spare leak detector sensing tip can be stored in the battery compartment.

Batteries: Use two fresh "C" alkaline batteries to power the TIF 5000. Batteries are installed by removing a battery cover on the back of the instrument. If the batteries are fresh you should see the red LED turn on when the power switch is turned on.

If the LeD does not light, change the batteries.

If the LeD lights but the unit does not operate (won't respond to refrigerant or test gases) change the sensing tip. If that doesn't work you'll need to return the instrument to TIF for repairs.

Operating temperature range: the TIF 5000 is rated to operate between 30 deg. F. and 100 deg. F. This warmer temperature function can be important when sniffing around a hot compressor motor.

Other specialized gas detection methods include use of solid state circuitry, CMS chips, and special instruments which may be designed to give a quick alarm or a reading in PPM for specific gases.

Other gas and air monitoring equipment use pumps which collect and insert a specific volume of air into a vacuum container for later analysis. We've found that for typical field use, the colorimetric gas detector tube method is extremely convenient and very accurate, and it presents minimal requirements for instrument calibration.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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Technical Reviewers & References

Related Topics, found near the top of this page suggest articles closely related to this one.

TIF Instruments, Inc., 9101 NW 7th Avenue, Miami, Florida 33150 (This is where we've sent our TIF 8800 and TIF 5000 for repairs).
Jennifer Moore, Sales Administrator, Nextteq, LLC, Tampa FL, www.nextteq.com 813-249-5888. Nextteq is the master Distributor for Gastec in the United States. According to the company's website, Gastec Gas Sampling Pumps are the industry’s first and only pumps to provide on-the-spot measurement of ambient temperature. [Private email, JM to DF 5/23/08]
"Choosing and Using a Carbon Monoxide CO Monitor," Dan Friedman, The ASHI Technical Journal, Vol. 2 No. 1, July1991
"Heat Exchanger Testing, Who's Right?" Dan Friedman, The ASHI Technical Journal, Vol. 2 No. 1, July1991
"Case History: LP Gas Leak - Using the TIF 8800," Dan Friedman, The ASHI Technical Journal, Vol. 2 No. 1, July1991
Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd., 120 Carlton Street Suite 407, Toronto ON M5A 4K2. (416) 964-9415 1-800-268-7070 info@carsondunlop.com. The firm provides professional home inspection services & home inspection education & publications. Alan Carson is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors. Thanks to Alan Carson and Bob Dunlop, for permission for InspectAPedia to use text excerpts from The Home Reference Book & illustrations from The Illustrated Home. Carson Dunlop Associates' provides:
- Commercial Building Inspection Courses - protocol ASTM Standard E 2018-08 for Property Condition Assessments
- Home Inspection Education Courses including home study & live classes at eleven colleges & universities.
- Home Inspection Education Home Study Courses - ASHI@Home Training 10-course program.
  Special Offer: Carson Dunlop Associates offers InspectAPedia readers in the U.S.A. a 5% discount on these courses: Enter INSPECTAHITP in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
- The Home Reference Book, a reference & inspection report product for building owners & inspectors.
  Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
- The Home Reference eBook, an electronic version for PCs, the iPad, iPhone, & Android smart phones.
  Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference eBook purchased as a single order. Enter inspectaehrb in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
- The Illustrated Home illustrates construction details and building components, a reference for owners & inspectors.
  Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Illustrated Home purchased as a single order Enter INSPECTAILL in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
- The Horizon Software System manages business operations,scheduling, & inspection report writing using Carson Dunlop's knowledge base & color images. The Horizon system runs on always-available cloud-based software for office computers, laptops, tablets, iPad, Android, & other smartphones.

Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair

Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore. Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.

The Home Reference Book - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 25th Ed., 2012, is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist home inspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems on buildings. The text is intended as a reference guide to help building owners operate and maintain their home effectively. Field inspection worksheets are included at the back of the volume. Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.

Or choose the The Home Reference eBook for PCs, Macs, Kindle, iPad, iPhone, or Android Smart Phones. Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference eBook purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAEHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.

Building inspection education & report writing systems from Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd

Carson Dunlop, Associates, Toronto, have provided us with (and we recommend) Carson Dunlop Weldon & Associates' Technical Reference Guide to manufacturer's model and serial number information for heating and cooling equipment
Special Offer: Carson Dunlop Associates offers InspectAPedia readers in the U.S.A. a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Technical Reference Guide purchased as a single order. Just enter INSPECTATRG in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
Complete List of Air Conditioning & Heat Pump Design, Inspection, Repair Books at the InspectAPedia Bookstore.
Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, A. D. Althouse, C.H. Turnquist, A. Bracciano, Goodheart-Willcox Co., 1982
Principles of Refrigeration, R. Warren Marsh, C. Thomas Olivo, Delmar Publishers, 1979
"Air Conditioning & Refrigeration I & II", BOCES Education, Warren Hilliard (instructor), Poughkeepsie, New York, May - July 1982, [classroom notes from air conditioning and refrigeration maintenance and repair course attended by the website author]
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technology, 5th Ed., William C. Whitman, William M. Johnson, John Tomczyk, Cengage Learning, 2005, ISBN 1401837654, 9781401837655 1324 pages
Carson Dunlop, Associates, Toronto, have provided us with (and we recommend) Carson Dunlop Weldon & Associates' Technical Reference Guide to manufacturer's model and serial number information for heating and cooling equipment
Special Offer: Carson Dunlop Associates offers InspectAPedia readers in the U.S.A. a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Technical Reference Guide purchased as a single order. Just enter INSPECTATRG in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
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