The most common mechanical failure is a broken or seized bearing. However this type of failure normally does not happen instantly. When the bearing begins to fail, its sound will change. This change occurs in the ultrasonic range and can be detected with AccuTrak® instruments by touching the bearing housing with the touch probe and listening for abnormal sounds. Periodic preventive maintenance tests can prevent major disasters in both the machinery and down time.

The AccuTrak® can be used to test a thermostatic expansion valve (TXV), check valve, ball, needle, gate or any type of valve which may be leaking internally.

Are valves functioning properly? When in the closed position are they truly closed? Is the TXV clogged or iced? Restrictions or leaks in a valve can cause serious problems, and inefficiency. Any fluid or gas passing through a poorly seated valve will generate ultrasound, and clearly be heard using the AccuTrak®.

This test method is similar to that of steam traps. Use the touch probe to test around the perimeter of the valve housing. The sound will be loudest at the point of the leak (the area where the gate, ball, needle, etc. seats into place to stop the fluid or gas flow. Use the sensitivity adjustment to eliminate any extraneous pipe noise and you will be able to hear only the internal flow of the valve.

By using the readings on the display and your ear, you can actually determine which side of the valve is leaking.

A proven contributor to energy loss are steam leaks, specifically from faulty steam traps.  Steam traps can fail for a variety of reasons causing steam to escape.  Since the system is closed it is not  possible to know if the trap is operating correctly without the proper tools. With the AccuTrak® Touch Probe you can easily determine if a trap is cycling correctly or if it is letting steam blow by.  Testing steam traps using ultrasound requires very little training, however a basic understanding of how a particular steam trap operates is certainly helpful.  Is the trap blowing steam?  Listening for the tell-tale rushing sound of a leak enables the user to make an accurate judgement immediately. If done regularly, this simple test can save tens of thousands of dollars in energy costs.

Superior AccuTrak® Instruments are non-invasive leak detectors that can detect both pressure and vacuum leaks of ANY GAS. AccuTrak® leak detectors receive the ultrasonic sound that escapes from a leak point, processes it, and displays its strength. The larger the leak, typically the higher the indication will be on the instrument. In addition to the display, AccuTrak® instruments also produce an audio reproduction of the leak sound. The intensity of the audio will change proportionally to the display. This is why when you use AccuTrak®, you can see the leak, and also hear the leak. This allows you to easily identify leaks, distinguish them from other sources of ultrasound, and then quickly pinpoint the exact location of the leak.