LEAK TESTING. - TM-5-4120-384-140229

TM5-4120-384-14

LEAK TESTING.

5-14.

Nitrogen cylinder (item

8, Appendix E)

Supplies:

Refrigerant-22 (item 4,

Appendix E)

The entire refrigeration system should be thoroughly leak tested

after repair or replacement of any component, before it is

Leak testing is also the method for

recharqed with Refrigerant-22.

troubleshooting when-a system has lost all or part of its

refrigerant charge through an undetermined cause.

Disassembly.

NOTE

The following steps cover all the disassembly actions

necessary to prepare a system for complete leak

If the air conditioner has been partially

testing.

disassembled for repair, most of these actions will

already have been accomplished.

(1)

Disconnect

power

source.

(2)

Remove

top

covers.

(See

(See

(3)

Remove

supply

air

louver.

(4)

Remove

mist

eliminator.

(See

para

4-16.)

T e s t i n g Method.

There are

two

acceptable

methods

for l e a k

testing the refrigeration system.

(1) Refrigerant Gas Leak Detector. If an electronic

refrigerant gas leak detector is available it should be used i n

accordance with the procedures contained in TM 9-4940-435-14/, "Leak

Detector, Refrigerant Gas".

NOTE

The electronic refrigerant gas tester is highly

sensitive to the presence of a small quantity of gas

in the air, and due to this fact it is quite

However,

effective in the detection of small leaks.

due to the rapid dispersion of refrigerant gas into

the surrounding air, difficulty may be encountered in

The detector must be used

pinpointing large leaks.

in a well ventilated but draft-free area.

(2) Soap Solutions.

In this method, a strong solution of a

liquid detergent and water is brushed onto all points of possible

leakage while closely observing for the formation of bubbles.

5-30