ADS Environmental Services QR 775014 A0 User Manual

ADS® Mikron User Manual

October 2009 QR 775014 A0

ADS LLC

4940 Research Drive

Huntsville, Alabama 35805

Telephone: [phone] / Fax: [phone]

www.adsenv.com

ADS Mikron User Manual

Copyright © 2009 ADS® LLC. All rights reserved.

ADS® is a registered trademark of ADS LLC.

All other brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of
their respective holders.

Notice of Proprietary Information

The information contained herein represents the latest information available at
the time of publication. ADS reserves the right to make any changes or
modifications to the content of this document, without notice, to reflect the
latest changes to the equipment. No part of this document may be reproduced
in any form without the written consent of ADS.

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ADS Mikron User Manual

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 System Overview..............................................................................1

Principle of Acoustic Leak Listening ..........................................................2

Minimum Noise Level Indication..........................................................3

ADS No-Hassle Warranty and Return Policy..............................................4

New Product Warranty ..........................................................................4

Replacement or Loaner Equipment .......................................................4

Shipping.................................................................................................4

Product Returns......................................................................................5

Chapter 2 Systems and Components ..............................................................6

Mikron Systems...........................................................................................7

Mikron – Alpha (Acoustic Probe System).............................................7

Mikron - Gamma (Ground Microphone System) ..................................8

Mikron – Alpha + Gamma (Combination System) ...............................8

Components ...............................................................................................10

Ground Microphone.............................................................................10

Hand Probe...........................................................................................10

Probe Handle........................................................................................11

Rods .....................................................................................................11

Ground Contact Tripod........................................................................11

Ground Spike.......................................................................................11

Magnet Attachment..............................................................................11

Headphones..........................................................................................12

Battery Charger....................................................................................12

Rugged Carrying Case.........................................................................12

Handheld Amplifier...................................................................................13

Sensor / Charger Connector.................................................................13

Headphone Connector..........................................................................13

Control Buttons....................................................................................13

Display Description .............................................................................14

Battery and Charging...........................................................................17

Chapter 3 Operational Procedure...................................................................18

Chapter 4 Index… ............................................................................................19

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C H A P T E R 1

System Overview

The ADS® Mikron is an advanced leak listening system. The design is based
upon a very high-performance sensor and incorporates low-noise processing
electronics to give excellent acoustic performance over a wide frequency
range. Mikron incorporates a minimum noise level detection system and is
simple to use.

Mikron enables the operator to listen to leak noise at available pipe fittings
and transmitted through the ground, taking measurements at regular intervals.
This method allows the operator to identify successive locations with the
greatest noise to ultimately determine the closest point to the leak.

ADS Mikron User Manual

The Mikron system offers the following benefits:

 Very high acoustic sensitivity
 Hand probe or ground microphone options
 Advanced ground microphone with wind-noise isolation
 Simple-to-use, lightweight amplifier
 Minimum noise level indication

Using a Mikron in the field

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ADS Mikron User Manual

Principle of Acoustic Leak Listening

The principle of leak noise listening is to determine the location with the
greatest leak noise. The path of the pipeline under investigation must be
known and other potential sources of noise interference must be
acknowledged.

Because sound travels much better through the pipe, the first step involves
listening directly at each accessible fitting (e.g., valve or hydrant) along the
pipe. This enables the operator to identify the pipe section where the leak
noise is greatest.

The next step involves using the ground microphone to listen to the leak noise
transmitted through the ground, taking measurements at regular intervals
along the ground surface above the selected section of the pipe. This method
should enable the operator to identify the location with greatest leak noise.

Filters are used to reduce the effects of noise interference and maximize the
reception of leak noise. Harder materials generally transmit sound better.
Therefore, iron and steel pipes coupled with paved surfaces tend to transmit
higher frequencies and higher levels of noise. Plastic pipes and soft ground
give poorer performance.

Listening on 3 hydrant/valve positions

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Minimum Noise Level Indication

To assist in leak location, the Mikron displays the Minimum Noise Level. This
represents the level of background noise without transient noise, such as
traffic noise. The Minimum Noise Level may also include leak noise. The
Mikron also displays the two previous Minimum Noise Level measurements so
that the user can determine whether he or she is moving closer to or further
away from the leak.

ADS Mikron User Manual

Surface Listening

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ADS Mikron User Manual

ADS No-Hassle Warranty and Return Policy

The following sections detail the hassle-free warranty and return policy for the
ADS Mikron.

New Product Warranty

ADS will repair or replace any Mikron equipment (supplied by ADS) that is
defective in materials and/or workmanship for up to two (2) years following
the date of shipment from ADS. To make a warranty claim, the customer
should simply call ADS at [phone] or contact the ADS Support Center
toll-free at [phone]. The ADS Client Services Agent will assign a
Return Materials Authorization (RMA) to the customer’s claim immediately.

The customer shall return a defective unit or part to ADS for troubleshooting
and repair or replacement within 10 days with the RMA.

Replacement or Loaner Equipment

For a defective part, ADS will ship a replacement part immediately once the
customer makes an initial claim. However, if ADS does not receive the
defective part within 30 days or testing concludes that the part experienced
excessive wear and tear or abuse for the period of use, ADS will bill the
customer for the replacement part.

For a defective unit, at the customer’s request, ADS will ship a temporary
(loaner) unit to the customer at the time of the initial claim. However, if ADS
does not receive the temporary unit from the customer within 15 days of
receiving the repaired or replacement unit or testing concludes that the unit
experienced excessive wear and tear or abuse for the period of use, ADS will
bill the customer for the temporary unit.

Shipping

The customer must pay to ship defective equipment to ADS for repair or
replacement. However, ADS will incur the costs for shipping the repaired or
replacement equipment back to the customer using the same priority shipment
procured by the customer upon returning the defective equipment to ADS.

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