Refrigerant leaks may be detected with a ________ leak detector

• A. Halide
• B. Infrared
• C. Electronic
• D. Smoke

Answer: (A)

Refrigerant leaks are detected most effectively with a device that specifically senses halogenated gases. A halide leak detector is designed to respond to halogen elements like chlorine and fluorine found in common refrigerants, so as you move the detector around the system it quickly signals when refrigerant fumes are present. This targeted sensitivity makes it the quickest and most reliable way to locate leaks in typical HVAC systems. Infrared detectors rely on infrared absorption by the gas and can work, but they aren’t as universally responsive to all halogenated refrigerants and may require knowledge of the exact gas. Electronic detectors are a broad category and can vary in what they sense, so they aren’t as specific as a halide detector for standard refrigerants. Smoke detectors don’t detect refrigerants at all.