People need gas in residential and commercial settings for various purposes. Cooking tops the list of usage activities alongside other heating applications such as water boilers. While gas remains an essential need for most people, you cannot write off the imminent risks that come with potential leaks. These leaks can result from faulty equipment, bad usage tendencies and poor installation are some of the common causes of gas leaks. You need to be vigilant when gas leaks occur because the results can be catastrophic. Many plumbers may not have the right technology for flashing out these leaks, but you can talk to an expert and let them assist for the best results. Here is a guide to the technology you should seek:

Electro-catalytic and Catalytic Leak Detection

Electro-catalytic and catalytic detectors measure changes in voltage levels coming from the catalytic burning of the target gas in a specific sensor. When the detector encounters the gas, oxidation occurs amidst a catalyst. The reaction is simultaneous with an increase in the temperature of the immediate surrounding, which raises the sensor's resistance. The offset voltages resulting from the rise in temperature transforms into a signal that can be used to isolate the leak using a bridge circuit.

Electro-catalytic and catalytic detectors are a good bet for any gas plumber because of their robust, reliable and economical means of delivering results. They are self-compensating for atmospheric elements such as pressure and humidity, meaning that you do not need secondary equipment to strike the operational balance.  

Electrochemical Detectors

Your next choice of equipment is electrochemical detectors. They are reliable, accurate and quick to respond to target gas molecules. When using these devices, the gas molecules in question react to encountering an electrode, which generates a current in the end. The current generated has a linear relationship with the number of gas molecules in a particular location. Essentially, the higher the current generated, the higher the number of gas molecules detected. Leakage points will yield the highest current because they are the only places where gas molecules are located outside of the designated pipework. On the downside, electrochemical detectors are sensitive to atmospheric pressure and temperature. These elements can affect their accuracy in extreme cases.

Infrared (IR) Detectors

Gas detection technology uses open-path infrared detectors to spot leaks in gas piping. Here, the infrared detectors evaluate the absorption of atmospheric pressure in a particular region. The target gas (the one leaking) is absorbed in certain places and is not absorbed in others. You get a ratio between the absorption lines of the gases, with the highest variances indicating a leakage point.

To learn more, reach out to a local gas leak detection service.