ESCO Air Conditioning Practice Exam 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

In modern HVAC systems, the most commonly used device to detect refrigerant leaks is the infrared detector. Infrared leak detectors work on the principle of identifying the specific wavelengths of infrared light that refrigerants absorb. When there is a refrigerant leak, the concentration of the refrigerant in the air will increase, which can be detected by the infrared sensor.

This type of detector is highly sensitive and capable of identifying even small amounts of refrigerant gas, making it ideal for use in HVAC applications where detecting leaks promptly is crucial for efficiency and environmental safety. It also minimizes the risk of cross-sensitivity to other gases, providing more accurate readings specifically for refrigerants.

The other types of detectors listed, such as flame ionization detectors, mercury vapor analyzers, and ultrasonic leak detectors, are either less common for refrigerant detection or less suitable for general HVAC applications. Flame ionization detectors are primarily used for detecting hydrocarbons and are not designed specifically for refrigerant gases. Mercury vapor analyzers are specialized for detecting toxic mercury vapors rather than refrigerants. Ultrasonic leak detectors can identify leaks based on the sound produced by the escaping gas but are less direct compared to the specific sensitivity of infrared detectors for refrigerants.