Water leaks are costly for both the water utility and consumer as well as damaging to the environment. With much of the water infrastructure underground, locating and pin-pointing leaks is challenging and can require a range of techniques and tools. With Radiodetection’s RD547 only a single control unit is required, on to which a specialist can attach the most appropriate accessory for the task in hand.

The RD547 is a multifunction control unit capable of both acoustic and tracer-gas methods of water-leak detection. When combined with the RD550 it can also be used to locate and trace water pipes. Together, the RD547 and the RD550 equip the water-leak specialist with a toolkit to tackle a broad range of water-leak detection tasks — saving cost, time and water.

For acoustic methods of detection, the RD547 has excellent listening capabilities and supports three different microphones. Optimized for flexibility, the universal microphone has a selection of attachments making it suitable for ground measurements or attaching to pipe fittings. The ground microphone (geophone) has a windproof shield for outdoor use and is sensitive to lower frequencies. A test rod with rigid handle and extendable tips allows measurements to be taken on deeper set utility fittings.

When tracer-gas offers a better option for leak detection, a ground sensor for the detection of hydrogen can be attached. The sensor handle contains a battery-powered pump that increases the sampling rate and speeds up the location process.

To locate and trace underground water pipes the RD547 can be used with the RD550. The pulse waves transmitted along the water pipe by the RD550 can be heard on the surface using the ground microphone of the RD547. This method is suitable for most pipe materials: PVC, PE, AZ, cast iron, steel, etc.

Supplied in six kit options the RD547 provides the water-leak specialist with a flexible toolkit to tackle a broad range of leak types in a cost-effective manner. For more information, click here.