No further reproduction or distribution is permitted.

ARTICLE 10

2013 SECTION V

MANDATORY APPENDIX X
ULTRASONIC LEAK DETECTOR TEST
X-1000

X-1030
X-1031

INTRODUCTION

This technique describes the use of an ultrasonic leak

detector to detect the ultrasonic energy produced by the
flow of a gas from the lower pressure side of a very small
opening in an envelope or barrier separating two regions
at different pressures.
(a) Due to the low sensitivity [maximum sensitivity of
10 2 std cm3/s (10 3 Pa m3/s)] of this technique, it should
not be utilized for the acceptance testing of vessels that
will contain lethal or hazardous substances.
(b) This is a semiquantitative method used to detect and
locate leaks and shall not be considered quantitative.

X-1020

EQUIPMENT
Instrument

An electronic ultrasonic leak detector capable of detecting acoustic energy in the range of 20 to 100 kHz shall be
utilized. Leakage shall be indicated by one or more of the
following signaling devices:
(a) Meter: a meter on the test instrument, or a probe, or
both.
(b) Audio Device: a set of headphones that emit(s) audible indications.

X-1032

Capillary Calibration Leak Standard

A capillary type leak standard per Article 10, T-1063.2.

GENERAL

X-1021 Written Procedure Requirements.

X-1021.1 Requirements. The requirements of
T-1021.1, Table X-1021, and the following as specified in
this Article or referencing Code shall apply.
(a) leak standard
(b) test pressure
(c) soak time
(d) pressure gage
(e) acceptance criteria

X-1060
X-1061

CALIBRATION
Standard Leak Size

The maximum leakage rate Q for the leak standard in

X-1032 shall be 1 10 1 std cm3/s (1 10 2 Pa m3/s), unless otherwise specified by the referencing Code Section.

X-1062

Warm Up

The detector shall be turned on and allowed to warm up

for the minimum time specified by the instrument manufacturer prior to calibration.

X-1021.2 Procedure Qualification. The requirements of T-1021.3 and Table X-1021 shall apply.

Table X-1021
Requirements of an Ultrasonic Leak Testing Procedure
Requirement
Instrument manufacturer and model
Surface preparation technique
Metal temperature [Note (1)] (change to outside the range specified in this article or as
previously qualified)
Pressurizing gas
Personnel performance qualification requirements, when required
Scanning distance (maximum demonstrated during system calibration)
Scanning rate (maximum demonstrated during system calibration)
Signaling device
Scanning direction
Post testing cleaning technique
Personnel qualification requirements

Essential Variable

Nonessential
Variable

X
X
X

...
...
...

X
X
...
...
...
...
...
...

...
...
X
X
X
X
X
X

NOTE:
(1) The minimum metal temperature during test shall not be below that specified in the referencing Code Section for the hydro, hydro
pneumatic, or pneumatic test. The minimum or maximum temperature during test shall also be compatible with the testing method.

252

X-1063

Scanning Rate

X-1073

The leak standard shall be attached to a pressure regulated gas supply and the pressure set to that to be used for
the test. The detector shall be calibrated by directing the
detector/probe towards the leak standard at the maximum scanning distance to be utilized during testing and
noting the meter deflection and/or pitch of the audible signal as the detector/probe is scanned across the leak standard. The scanning rate shall not exceed that which can
detect leakage rate Q from the leak standard.

X-1064

X-1074

Scanning Rate

The maximum scanning rate shall be as determined in

X-1063.

Frequency and Sensitivity

X-1075

Leakage Detection

Leakage shall be indicated and detected according to

X-1031.

X-1080
X-1081

EVALUATION
Leakage

Unless otherwise specified by the referencing Code Section, the area tested is acceptable when no leakage is detected that exceeds the allowable rate of 1 10 1 std
cm3/s (1 10 2 Pa m3/s).

TEST
Location of Test

The component to be tested shall, if possible, be removed or isolated from other equipment or structures
that could generate ambient or system noise that can
drown out leaks.

X-1072

Scanning Distance

After the required soak time per X-1072, the detector

shall be passed over the test surface. The scanning distance shall not exceed that utilized to determine the maximum scanning rate in X-1063.

Unless otherwise specified by the referencing Code Section, the sensitivity of the detector shall be verified before
and after testing, and at intervals of not more than 4 hr
during testing. During any verification check, should the
meter deflection or audible signal indicate that the detector/probe cannot detect leakage per X-1063, the instrument shall be recalibrated and areas tested after the last
satisfactory calibration check shall be retested.

X-1070
X-1071

ARTICLE 10

X-1082

Repair/Retest

When unacceptable leakage is detected, the location of

the leak(s) shall be marked. The component shall then
be depressurized, and the leak(s) repaired as required
by the referencing Code Section. After repairs have been
made, the repaired area or areas shall be retested in accordance with the requirements of this Appendix.

Soak Time

Prior to testing, the test pressure shall be held a minimum of 15 min.

253

No further reproduction or distribution is permitted.

2013 SECTION V