PoroTest 7
Coatings & Industry > Physical properties > Porosity & Permeability
High voltage Pinhole Detector PoroTest 7
Transportable high voltage Holiday Detector to locate pores, cracks and other faults in insulating materials (e.g. varnish, synthetic material, rubber, bitumen) on conductive substrates (e.g. steel, aluminium, earth-moist concrete constructions) as per DIN 55670.
The Holiday Detector, PoroTest 7, is specially designed to test functionally critical insulating layers, e.g. inner and outer linings of tanks and pipelines in the field of petrochemicals, anti-corrosion coatings in shipbuilding, protective coatings of sewage tanks etc.
The electronically controlled high voltage source unfailingly prevents the test voltage from exceeding and dropping below limit, a feature not provided in low-cost devices. Exceeding the limit can cause damage to the coating to be tested; dropping below the limit prevents detection of pores.
A wide range of special electrodes are available; we can also fabricate customised inner, outer and plate electrodes as per application requirement of the client.
Test principle
When scanning the high voltage search electrode smoothly over the surface, flaws are detected through spark discharge to the conductive substrate.
Test voltage can be adjusted from 500 Volt to 35.000 Volt.
The instrument has been designed for testing insulating materials from approx. 30 microns to 11.3 mm thickness.
High voltage probe P 7 or P 35
Due to the characteristic dielectric strengths of different materials, they require different ranges of test voltages.
To meet the requirements of such different applications, ElektroPhysik offers two high voltage probe models:
- P 7 : for thin coatings starting from 30 microns (1 mils) such as condenser or packaging films, paints, enamels
- P 35 : for thick coatings ranging from 1.4 mm (55 mils) thickness and more such as protective linings in pipelines
Porosity detection and corrosion control
Flaws in protective coatings such as pores, cracks and fissures, if undetected, may impair the corrosion resistance of a product.
The PoroTest 7 by ElektroPhysik has been specifically designed for non-destructive porosity testing of such coatings, based on automatic test voltage control specific to the thickness of material to be tested and vice versa.
The major fields of application of the PoroTest 7 range from vendor inspection to quality assur-ance in corrosion protection.
Test principle and field of application
Designed for detecting flaws and pores, the PoroTest 7 can be used for testing all insulating coatings on conductive substrates such as steel, Aluminium, etc.
The test instrument consists of a high voltage probe with an integrated high voltage generator and a test electrode, which is simply connected to the probe.
The control unit features a digital display and controlpad.
The control unit housing is fully portable and made of rugged ABS plastic with an integrated handle.
The high voltage probe and control unit are connected via a rugged cable.
To detect porosity, the appropriate test voltage specific to the material thickness is set on the control unit which applies, when activated, a spark discharge at the moment a material flaw is detected.
In addition to the spark discharge, flaws are indicated by a visible and audible signal and counted.
Typical applications:
Testing linings and coatings applied on ducts, pipes, hulls, oil and storage tanks, enamel, paint, rubber and bitumen linings, vessels and tanks, GFK and other plastics materials.
Application
Non-destructive detection of pores, cracks and other faults in insulating coatings on conductive substrates.
Features
- Testing of insulating coatings in a thickness range of 30 µm to 11.3 mm
- Electronically stabilized high voltage for reliable/safe detection of faults
- Wide range of application-specific testing electrodes
- Testing voltage 0.5 – 35 kV
- User guidance in 4 languages (German, English, French, Spanish)
- Audio and visual alarm
- Compact design enables use even on the scaffolding
- Electrical safety as per VDE 0411, Part 1
- Power supply either by batteries or mains connection
Scope of Delivery
- Holiday Detector, PoroTest 7, with integrated battery
- Connecting cable Holiday Detector - high voltage probe
- Metallic sweeper electrode
- Equipotential cable 5 m
- Power cable
- Shoulder belt
- Operating instructions
- Plastic carrying case
Operating range : P7: 0.5 kV - 7 kV
P35: 6 kV - 35 kV
Coating thickness : P7: 0.03 mm - 1.7 mm
P35: 1.4 mm - 11.3 mm
Voltage : DC
Test voltage indication : LC-Display, 3-digit
Accuracy of voltage setting : ± 0.1 kV - + 3 %of reading
Dimensions and weight : High voltage probe: 274 mm x 63 mm (l x dia)/550 g
Control unit: 225 mm x 150 mm x 85 mm (L x W x H)/1400 g
Alarm signal : 90 dB, 0.1 s/Pore, continuous tone in case of short-circuit
Signal output : potential free, Umax.: 100 V, Imax.: 0.4 A
Storage battery : 4 C-cells, IEC LR 14, 3.5 Ah, NiMH, replaceable
Storage battery life at maximum voltage : P7: ~ 20 h
P35: ~ 10
Storage battery charging time : 4 hour quick charge
Mains Voltage : 110 V - 230 V 50 Hz - 60 Hz automatic switch
Operating temperature : 0 °C - 50 °C
Humidity : avoid dew on the surface (refer to DIN 55 670)
Standards : DIN 55 670, DIN 50191 (VDE 0104), DIN EN 61010/Part 1 (VDE 0411/Part 1)