MOISTURE / WATERLEAK DETECTION SYSTEMS
When it comes to minimizing business interruptions, few companies give much thought to water as a culprit. In reality, according to one study, water damage ranked second behind power outage as the leading causes of business outage, accounting for 27% of the causes. With "downtime" costs ranging from approx: US$1M - $2.8M per hour ( Ontrack Int'l - information source ) depending on the Industry . In addition, anecdotal evidence suggests that there may be insurance cost savings - both immediate and long term - from an investment in water leak detection technologies. As a result, an increasing number of International businesses are looking to water leak detection solutions to protect their investment - helping to minimize operating losses and reduce Insurance premiums.
Water leaks can originate from many sources such as air conditioning units, cold-water chillers, water supply and return lines, clogged drains, damaged skylights or windows, construction errors, or even condensation drips.
WATER LEAK DETECTION has been around for a number of years . New innovations in the use of non-conductive polymer cables provide significant advantages and tremendous cost savings . Traditionally, one of the most common technologies for water leak monitoring is a spot detector - typically using a probe to sense water leaks at a single point. ( ideal for drip pans, floor drains, and confined areas where water converges at a single location ) . This probe is then connected to a control module that provides audible alarm, visual annunciation, and dry contact output for integration with other systems. In some cases, spot detectors are packaged together for detecting water in a larger area. For example, one technology strings together a series of spot detectors connected by one-foot length cables. These detectors are often used because they are the most economical and familiar; however, they have one major drawback. They are most effective in an area where the liquid is contained, such as the cement dam under an air conditioning unit. When used in an open floor area, the floor must be analyzed for low points to determine the best place(s) to put the spot detector(s). If the liquid flows one foot away and does not make contact with the probe, it won't be detected.
Another common approach for monitoring water leaks is hydroscopic tape-based systems. The tape is installed around equipment or infrastructure to be monitored by using an adhesive. Once the tape becomes wet, it triggers an alarm. Unfortunately, moisture inside the cloth weaves is a frequent source of false alarms and also takes a long time to dry following the detection of a real leak.
A new class of "continuous run" sensing systems has recently emerged, primarily using cable-based intelligent sensors. These solutions allow for more comprehensive protection by supporting detection of multiple leaks, covering larger areas, and better pinpointing the exact location of a leak.
One technology being deployed is based on Time Domain Reflectrometry (TDR), which measures the signal loss through a detuned resonant circuit. It can detect more than one leak on the cable and can be instructed to ignore a leak until it can be repaired; however, the first leak has to be small relative to subsequent leaks in order for the latter to be properly detected. TDR-based solutions available on the market today require connectors to be installed in the field and need up to 20" of liquid to be in contact with the cable in order to trigger an alarm.
For detailed information on Proline Water Leak Detection Systems, please use the links: nero and sc-100
