What Is a Leak Detection Band?
A leak detection band is a band-shaped sensor.
It is used in leak detectors or liquid leak detectors as a safety device to detect leaks or leaking liquid. When leaked water or liquid comes into contact with the sensor strip, the electrical resistance of the strip changes.
After detection, the sensor can be used again by completely wiping off the leaked water/liquid, thus offering excellent durability. There are two types of leak detection strips: those installed on the floor and those installed around pipes.
Uses of Leak Detection Bands
Leak detection bands are widely used in a variety of locations due to their superior performance and diverse applications.
1. Houses and Buildings
Leak detection bands play an important role in homes and buildings. They are installed in hidden places such as under floors and inside walls to detect water leaks and burst pipes. They enable early detection of leaks and minimize damage to buildings and facilities.
2. Commercial Facilities and Offices
Leak detection bands are widely used in commercial facilities and offices. They are installed around water fixtures such as toilets, kitchens, and washing machines, and around the plumbing of equipment. When a leak is detected, an alarm and automatic shut-off function are triggered to minimize damage. This helps in the maintenance and management of the facility and the smooth operation of the business.
3. Industrial Facilities and Manufacturing
Leak detection bands also play an important role in industrial and manufacturing facilities. Early detection of leaks is critical, especially where chemicals and pharmaceuticals are handled. Leak detection bands are installed at the bottom of tanks and containers to detect leaking liquids and ensure the safety of the work environment.
4. Medical and Research Facilities
Leak detection bands are used in medical and research facilities to protect valuable laboratory materials and samples. They are installed in laboratories, freezers, refrigerators, and other water areas to prevent damage caused by water leaks or liquid leakage.
They are also used to detect leaks around cooling piping and cooling equipment such as boilers and in under-floor piping.
Principle of Leak Detection Bands
The leak detection band detects water and liquid leaks by means of an electrode-to-electrode resistance detection method.
1. Normal Condition
Under normal conditions, there is no current flowing between the two leak detection bands, and the electrical signal flowing through the bands is cut off by the terminator, creating an open loop between the band electrodes.
2. In Case of Abnormality
When water or liquid begins to leak, the leak detector detects the electrical signal flowing through it, and if the strength of the electrical signal exceeds a set value, an alarm is issued to indicate a water or liquid leak.
In some cases, the leak detection band itself may break and become defective. However, some detectors can detect a disconnection of the leak detection band and issue an alarm to prompt repair, judging that the disconnection detection signal that flows through the leak detection band does not return to the detector due to disconnection as an abnormality.
In addition, since detection is based on a change in resistance, once water or liquid leakage is detected, the sensor can be returned to the normal resistance range by wiping off water or liquid, so it can be used as a sensor again immediately.
Types of Leak Detection Bands
The most common type of leak detection band is one that detects water or liquid leakage based on changes in the resistance of the two leak detection bands of the leak/liquid sensor section. There are several types depending on the shape, material, and function of the sensing strips in the detection section.
There are two types of detection zones, the basic strip type and the point type.
1. Strip Type
Water or liquid leakage can be detected anywhere that the installed sensor section is located.
2. Point Type
As the name suggests, this type detects water and liquid leakage at a single point and is used when the location of the leakage is narrowed down and only that point is to be detected.
There are several different materials and functions to choose from, taking into consideration the location where the detection zone is installed. Compared to the general type, there are those with superior resistance to high temperatures and chemicals, those made of different materials, those that can be used in environments with high dust and humidity, and those that can be installed in pipes as opposed to those that are laid on the floor.