Production Leak Detection Systems
The RGA technique measures the amount of tracer gas leaking from a charged part into the Residual Gas Analyzer. Here, a gas other than Helium is used to measure the leak. The Residual Gas Analyzer is comparable to the mass spec unit in the other techniques mentioned above.
This method offers measurable leak rates as low as 10-9 std. cc/sec in high volume production applications. This technique features a relatively high sensitivity, flexibility, and temperature and test time independency. The method offers advantages in that it can test with a gas other than Helium.
Disadvantages include: a higher cost than the Effect of the Leak testing methods (click above for details), vacuum pump down time dependent, rough vacuum requires more highly skilled maintenance, test parts must be clean and dry, vacuum pump oil waste, and the location of the leak is not identified. Also, some gases used for testing have naturally high backgrounds that may make it difficult to calibrate, and the gases may have low contra-flow (if any at all).
| Sensitivity range [std.cc/sec] |  |
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| Temperature dependence |
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| Operator dependence |  |
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| Main factors affecting sensitivity |
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| Test pressure range | any |
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| Maintenance required |
Highly skilled maintenance required |
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| Cost |  |
