Arkansas HVACR NewsMagazine September 2023

HVACR NewsMagazine September 2023

Tech News

Where To Find

R-22 & R410A Leaks

Top 10 Spots! Article by Craig Migliaccio

• Once the leak location is located, non corrosive bubble leak detector (see photo below) can be applied to the location to pinpoint the leak. The leak is found where the foaming action or bubbles form.

This article covers the ten most common locations where refrigerant leaks may be on an air conditioning system. An electronic leak detector is typically used to find the general area of the leak and non-corrosive bubble leak detector is used to pinpoint the leak. In the following pictures, an Accutrak ultrasonic leak detector and Big Blu non-corrosive bubble leak detector are used to search for and find refrigerant leaks. • A ultrasonic leak detector (see photo below) locates where the turbulent escaping gas is exiting the tubing. This tool can be used during a nitrogen pressure test, or while refrigerant is in the system (R-410A, R-22, or another refrigerant). Any gas escaping through a leak location makes a noise, which an ultrasonic leak detector can pick up. Oil on the inside of the tubing or water on the outside of the tubing creates an even louder sound when a leak is present.

Ten Common Leak Locations on an Air Conditioning System Leak Location #1: Valve Core (Schrader Valve) on the Outdoor Unit Port Check the valve core (Schrader Valve) on the outdoor unit port (see photo below) . A cap is placed on the valve core to prevent the refrigerant from escaping from this location and to protect the valve core from depression. This cap may be missing. The types of caps are listed below. • A plastic cap: This cap may crack, or it may not have an O-ring to create a seal.