Enersol S78 Automated Subatmospheric Pressure Air Leakage Tester

There are multiple models of this equipment that are currently available (Catalog Numbers: S78 / S78A / S78B / S78BH).

The various models of equipment have different test pressure capabilities, based on the connector standard for which they are designed to be used.

It is worth noting that the test method in ISO 80369-1:2018 Annex D can be carried out using this equipment, although in clause 7.1.2 of the standard it requires a very tight pressure range of 40 ± 0.1kPa to be applied and states that there shall be "no leakage". This is in stark contrast to the application pressures and limits in ISO 18250-3, and other standards. The test method in Annex D of ISO 18250-1 also refers to using the pressure and limit from the application standard. The ISO 80369-3 standard has a pressure requirement of 4.0 kPa to 4.8 kPa below atmospheric pressure, and leakage rate limit of 0.005Pam3/s. These application requirements are achievable using the S78A.

The S78 is an outgoing model that will eventually be replaced by the variant S78B. The S78 covers the requirements of ISO 80369-6:2016, ISO 80369-7:2016 and ISO 18250-8:2018 only.

There is no option to choose the protocols on this device. The S78 will apply a pressure between 80 kPa and 88 kPa below atmospheric pressure, hold for the lower end of the test period of 15s to 20s and will measure and assess the leakage rate.

The S78A is a variant specifically for two application standards. These standards are FDIS/ISO 80369-2 (2018) for RESP-125 (R1) connectors only, and all connectors of ISO 18250-3:2018.

The testing on ISO 18250-3 connectors can be carried out using the Annex D methods of ISO 80369-20 or ISO 18250-1.

For connectors of ISO 18250-3, the S78A applies a pressure between 4.0 kPa and 4.8 kPa below atmospheric pressure. The allowable leakage rate limit is 0.005Pam3/s and the hold period 15s to 20s.

For RESP-125 (R1) connectors, the S78A applies a pressure between 3 kPa and 5 kPa below atmospheric pressure. The allowable leakage rate limit is 0.00005Pam3/s and the hold period is 25s to 35s.

The user selects which of these two protocols is to be carried out by the S78A through a selection process on-screen. The S78A will apply a pressure within the selected range, hold for the lower end of the test period and measure and assess the leakage rate.

The S78B is specifically for all connectors of ISO 80369-6:2016 and ISO 80369-7:2016 small-bore connectors as well as FDIS ISO 80369-2:2018 for RESP-6000 (R2) and ISO 18250-8:2018.

For RESP-6000 (R2) connectors, the S78B applies a pressure between 35 kPa and 45 kPa below atmospheric pressure. The allowable leakage rate limit is 0.005Pam3/s and the hold period is 20s to 30s.

For connectors of ISO 80369-6, ISO 80369-7 and ISO 18250-8 the S78B applies a pressure between 80 kPa and 88 kPa below atmospheric pressure. The allowable leakage rate limit is 0.005Pam3/s and the hold period is 15s to 20s.

The user selects which of these two protocols is to be carried out by the S78A through a selection process on-screen. The S78A will apply a pressure within the selected range, hold for the lower end of the test period and measure and assess the leakage rate.

The S78BH is a variant of the S78B.

The S78BH is fitted with a chamber that is pressurised by the user to create a suitable atmosphere in which to apply the sub atmospheric pressure of 80 kPa to 88 kPa. The standards have not been written to accommodate all elevations above sea level, thus these equipment variants have been designed to be used by laboratories around 1,000m or more above sea level. Enersol has written a White Paper on the sub atmospheric pressure test and high elevations.

Automated Sub atmospheric Pressure Air Leakage Tester Operation

Following Annex D of ISO 18250-1 or ISO 80369-20, as appropriate, the test sample is conditioned prior to testing. In a test environment suitable for the conditions in the standard, the sample is then prepared with the appropriate reference connector of the application standard. The Enersol S15B Connector Assembly Device and Enersol reference connectors can be used to connect the sample with the reference connector.

Once assembled, the user can attach it to the Automated Sub atmospheric Pressure Air Leakage Tester. The equipment has a built-in touch screen, making it easy for the user to enter and select the test requirements. For the S78BH the user encloses the sample inside a chamber which is then pressurised by the user, before carrying out the test.

By following the on-screen prompts, the test is carried out and the equipment provides a result on-screen. A demonstration using one of the models is in the You Tube video embedded below.

The volume of the testing apparatus is known by the equipment, and the volume of the test sample assembly is entered by the user during the test set up. Once the test is started, the Sub atmospheric Pressure Air Leakage Tester applies the appropriate pressure for the specified test period and measures the pressure drop over the test period. The equipment calculates a measure of leakage rate as defined in ISO 80369-20 / ISO 18250-1 and compares it with limits in the application standard to return the result and PASS/FAIL status on-screen.

The ISO 80369 and ISO 18250 standards lack guidance on how to determine the volume under test. Enersol has written a White Paper on the testing of small-bore connectors and reservoir connectors to describe ways in which to determine this volume.

Comments:
Original Posting: 10/31/2017
Last Revision: 6/11/2021
Error corrections in, or comments about, the above data can be sent to: office@gagecrib.com