SF6 LeakCheck P1 XTL
Portable SF6 Leak Detector
The SF6 LeakCheck P1 XTL by ION Science is a portable, precise and highly sensitive SF6 leak detector, built into a trolley style Peli Protector Case with a docking station for its wireless handgun. Using award winning Negative Ion Capture (NIC) technology, it detects SF6 leaks from 1×10-7 ml/s on the Standard model and 1×10-8 ml/s on the HIGHSense model, with a T90 response of about 0.5 seconds. It’s immune to 100% SF6, needs no warm up time, and can be upgraded to detect gas mixtures with C4-FN.
KEY BENEFITS
- Detects SF6 leaks, with an optional upgrade for gas mixtures with C4-FN (Novec 4710)
- Available in Standard (1×10-7 ml/s) and HIGHSense (1×10-8 ml/s) sensitivity models to suit different inspection requirements
- Award-winning NIC technology with non-radioactive source: no registration, storage or transportation restrictions
- Immune to 100% SF6, no loss of sensitivity, accuracy or response time after exposure to high concentrations
- T90 response time under 0.5 seconds with instant clear down and no warm-up time required
+ more in the Description tab below
SF6 Leak Detection for Modern Switchgear
Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) is still the main insulating gas in medium and high voltage switchgear. It’s also one of the most potent greenhouse gases, with a global warming potential of around 23,500 times that of CO2 over 100 years. Even minor leaks have a real environmental impact, which makes precise, reliable leak detection a key operational and regulatory requirement.
C4-FN (C4F7N, commercially known as Novec 4710) is increasingly used in gas mixtures as an SF6 alternative in newer switchgear, with a much lower global warming potential. The P1 XTL measures SF6 as standard and can be upgraded with a C4-FN option, so one instrument can cover both legacy and newer switchgear.
NIC Technology. No Radioactive Source.
Traditional electron capture detectors for SF6 use a radioactive source, which brings rules around storage, transport and disposal. The P1 XTL’s award winning Negative Ion Capture (NIC) technology works without a radioactive source.
It’s immune to 100% SF6. Even after exposure to high gas concentrations, it keeps responding without any loss in sensitivity, accuracy or response time. It also needs no warm up or stabilisation time.
Two Sensitivity Models
The Standard model detects SF6 leaks from 1×10-7 ml/s (1 ppm, 0.01 g/a). It suits routine switchgear inspection and standard leak testing.
The HIGHSense model extends sensitivity to 1×10-8 ml/s (0.1 ppm, 0.001 g/a). It suits ultra low level leak checks, quality testing on new equipment and the most demanding inspections.
Designed Around the Operator
The wireless handgun has a 2.8 inch touch display. Search Mode helps the operator track a leak, Measurement Mode quantifies it, and a concentration rise mode supports chamber testing. Alarms can be set to handgun vibration, audio tied to the leak rate, or LED projection, to suit the working environment.
The handgun charges inductively in the docking station inside the Peli Protector Case, with no cables needed. Sample flow, sensor condition, battery condition and hardware faults are monitored continuously through self diagnostics.
Wear parts are housed in an exchangeable SmartSensor, and the case has storage for three spares, keeping downtime low.
Beyond Switchgear
As well as SF6 testing in high voltage switchgear, the P1 XTL suits breathing apparatus testing, medical device testing, and ultra low level leak integrity checks on equipment containing (H)CFCs, in medical, refrigeration and air conditioning units.
Benefits
- Detects SF6 leaks, with an optional upgrade for gas mixtures with C4-FN (Novec 4710)
- Available in Standard (1×10-7 ml/s) and HIGHSense (1×10-8 ml/s) sensitivity models to suit different inspection requirements
- Award-winning NIC technology with non-radioactive source: no registration, storage or transportation restrictions
- Immune to 100% SF6, no loss of sensitivity, accuracy or response time after exposure to high concentrations
- T90 response time under 0.5 seconds with instant clear down and no warm-up time required
- Continuous self diagnostics for sample flow, sensor condition, battery condition and hardware faults
- Wireless handgun with 2.8-inch touch display and selectable vibration, audio and LED alarms
- Rugged trolley-style Peli Protector Case with docking station for inductive handgun charging
- Wear parts are housed in an exchangeable SmartSensor, with storage for three in the case
- Two year warranty when registered on the ION Science website
Detection principle
Negative Ion Capture (NIC), non radioactive source. Detects SF6 (standard) and gas mixtures with C4-FN (option)
Sensitivity (Standard)
1×10-7 ml/s, 1 ppm, 0.01 g/a
Sensitivity (HIGHSense)
1×10-8 ml/s, 0.1 ppm, 0.001 g/a
Response time T90
Approximately 0.5 seconds
Response time T10
Approximately 0.5 seconds
Warm-up time
None required
SF6 immunity
Immune to 100% SF6. No loss of sensitivity, accuracy or response time after exposure
Alarms
Selectable handgun vibration, audio frequency coupled to leak rate and LED projection
Display
2.8-inch touch display on handgun
Self-diagnostic
Continuous monitoring of sample flow, sensor condition, battery condition and hardware faults
SmartSensor
Exchangeable P1 SmartSensor holds all wear parts. Case stores 3 SmartSensors
Operating modes
Search mode, measurement mode, concentration rise measurement
Battery
Handgun: LiPo with inductive charging at docking station. Console: LiFe
Power supply
85 to 265V, 50/60 Hz
Operating temperature
0°C to 50°C
Storage temperature
-10°C to 60°C
Console dimensions
420 (H) x 240 (D) x 470 mm (W)
Handgun dimensions
300 (H) x 105 (D) x 90 mm (W)
Handgun weight
750 g
Housing
Rugged trolley-style Peli Protector Case with docking station
Warranty
1 year standard. 2 years when registered on the ION Science website
C4-FN (Novec 4710)
C4F7N
Sulphur Hexafluoride
SF6
- Aviation & Transportation
- Carpark & HVAC
- Medical & Healthcare
- Mining & Minerals
- Power Generation & BESS
- Technology & Semiconductor
The SF6 LeakCheck P1 XTL is a high-precision, high-sensitivity instrument designed for professional switchgear inspection and regulatory compliance leak testing, with NIC technology, two sensitivity models, wireless handgun, self-diagnostics, immunity to 100% SF6 and PC software support. The SF6 LeakMate is a compact, affordable entry-level SF6 leak detector for basic leak surveying. For critical infrastructure inspection and compliance testing, the P1 XTL is the appropriate instrument.
C4-FN (also known as Novec 4710 or C4F7N) is used in gas mixtures as an SF6 alternative in newer switchgear, with a much lower global warming potential. The P1 XTL measures SF6 as standard, and a C4-FN option lets it detect gas mixtures with C4-FN too, so one instrument can cover both.
The Standard model detects SF6 from 1×10-7 ml/s, suited to routine inspection and standard regulatory requirements. The HIGHSense model extends sensitivity to 1×10-8 ml/s for ultra-low level leak verification, quality assurance testing on new equipment and the most demanding inspection requirements.
No. The P1 XTL's NIC technology achieves equivalent or better sensitivity than traditional electron capture detectors without requiring a radioactive source, eliminating registration, storage, transportation and disposal restrictions.
The P1 XTL is immune to 100% SF6. Even after exposure to high concentrations, it keeps responding without any loss in sensitivity, accuracy or response time.
The standard warranty is one year. Register the SF6 LeakCheck P1 XTL on the ION Science website to extend it to two years.
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