PCE Instruments PCE-LDC 15 Users guide

© PCE Instruments

PCE-LDC 15 Leak Detector

User Manual

User manuals in various languages (français,

italiano, español, português, nederlands, türk, polski,

русский, 中文) can be found by using our

product search on: www.pce-instruments.com

Last change: 8 June 2022

v1.0

English

© PCE Instruments

Contents

1 Safety notes ........................................................................................... 1

1.1 About this document......................................................................................................... 1

1.2 General safety instructions ............................................................................................... 1

1.3 Use of class 2 laser .......................................................................................................... 2

2 Service and maintenance ..................................................................... 2

3 Environmental protection .................................................................... 2

4 Intended use .......................................................................................... 4

5 Technical specifications ...................................................................... 4

6 Delivery contents .................................................................................. 4

7 Identification .......................................................................................... 5

7.1 Name plate ....................................................................................................................... 5

7.2 Laser warning label .......................................................................................................... 5

8 Device description ................................................................................ 6

8.1 The PCE-LDC 15 ............................................................................................................. 6

9 Overview and application description of the different sensor types ........... 7

10 Start-up / Application of the PCE-LDC 15 ........................................... 7

10.1 Switch on ......................................................................................................................... 7

10.2 Headphone Volume Up / Volume Down ........................................................................... 7

10.3 Sensitivity level................................................................................................................. 8

10.4 Laser On/Off .................................................................................................................... 8

11 Operation ............................................................................................... 9

11.1 Initialization ...................................................................................................................... 9

11.2 Screen ............................................................................................................................. 9

11.3 Settings menu .................................................................................................................10

12 Charging the battery ........................................................................... 16

13 Warranty ............................................................................................... 17

14 Disposal ............................................................................................... 17

© PCE Instruments

1

1 Safety notes

1.1 About this document

• Read this documentation carefully and familiarize yourself with the
product before using it. Pay particular attention to the safety and
warning instructions to prevent injury and product damage.

• Keep this documentation handy for future reference.

• Share this documentation with future users of the product.

1.2 General safety instructions

• The product is to be used only in accordance with the intended
purpose and within the parameters specified in the technical data.
Do not use force for operation.

• Never measure with the device at or near live/energized parts!

• During leak detection on electrical systems, please maintain a

sufficient safety distance to avoid dangerous electric shocks!

• Avoid any direct contact with hot and/or rotating parts.

• Always switch on the device before putting on the headphones! At

high signal levels (bar graph headphones in the red area), the
volume can be correspondingly large. The sensitivity setting can be
used to reduce the volume.

• Observe the prescribed storage and operating temperatures.

• In case of improper handling or violence, the warranty claims are

lost.

• Interventions on the device of any kind, unless they correspond to
the intended and described procedures, lead to the expiration of
warranty and to the disclaimer.

• The device is intended solely for the described purpose.

© PCE Instruments

2

1.3 Use of class 2 laser

• Never point the laser directly towards persons!

• Absolutely avoid a direct irradiation of the eyes of humans and

animals!

• If a person‘s eyes are exposed to class 2 laser radiation, they
should shut their eyes and immediately move away from the
beam

• Do not stare into the beam

• Laser module: corresponds to DIN EN 60825-1: 2014 Class 2

(<1mW / 635nm)

• Laser output point trumpet and parabolic mirror:

2 Service and maintenance

Service and maintenance work must only be carried out by authorized personnel.

3 Environmental protection

• Disposal of defective batteries / dead batteries according to the valid legal
regulations.

• After the end of the useful life, take the product to the separate collection
for electrical and electronic equipment (observe local regulations) or
return the product to the manufacturer for disposal.

The manufacturer makes no warranty as to its suitability for any particular purpose
and assumes no liability for any errors contained in this manual. Nor for consequential damages
in connection with the delivery, performance or use of this device.

The following accumulator is contained in this electrical appliance

Battery type

Chemical system

Accumulator

LiIon 2S1P

Laseraustrittstelle
Laser output point

© PCE Instruments

3

Information on the safe removal of the batteries or accumulators

• Warning: Make sure that the battery is completely empty.

Removing the battery cover

Disconnecting the connector

Carefully pull out the battery

• Carefully remove the accumulator

• The accumulator and the appliance can now be disposed of separately

© PCE Instruments

4

4 Intended use

The PCE-LDC 15 is a leak detector for quick and reliable leak detection in/on compressed air
systems.
It is solely designed and constructed for the intended use described here and may only be used
for this purpose.
The user must verify that the device is suitable for the intended use. The technical data listed in
this datasheet are binding.
Improper handling or operation outside the technical specifications is not permitted. Claims of any
kind for damages arising from improper use are excluded.

5 Technical specifications

Dimensions hand-held
housing

263 x 96 x 280 mm (with preamp module and
acoustic trumpet)

Weight

0.55 kg with preamp module and acoustic
trumpet,
complete set in case approx. 3.0 kg

Operating frequency

40 kHz (+/-2 kHz)

Power supply

Internal 7.4 V lithium-ion battery

Operating time

> 10 h (continuous operation)

Charging

ext. battery charger (included in scope of
delivery)

Charging time

max.4 h

Laser

Wavelength 630–660nm, output power <
1mW
(laser class 2)

Connections

3.5 mm stereo jack for headset,
Power supply socket for connecting an
external charger
USB connection

Colour screen

3.5" touch panel TFT transmissive

Interface

USB for SW update.

Application Area

Indoor use

Operating temperaturer

-5 °C bis +50 °C

Storage temperature

-20 °C to +60 °C

Altitude

Up to 4000m above sea level

Max. Humidity

<95% RH without condensation

Pollution degree

2

Protection class

IP20

6 Delivery contents

1 x PCE-LDC 15, 1 x carrying case, 1 x mains adaptor, 1 x focus tube with focus tip, 1 x
acoustic trumpet, 1 x headphones, 1 x user manual

© PCE Instruments

5

7 Identification

7.1 Name plate

7.2 Laser warning label

Acccording IEC 60825-1:2014

Max. output power: <1mW @ 630-660nm
Complies with 21 CFR 1040.10 and 1040.11except for

conformance with IEC 60825-1 Ed.3., as described in
Laser Notice No. 56, dated May 8,2019

Laser 2

PCE-LDC 15

© PCE Instruments

6

8 Device description

8.1 The PCE-LDC 15

3.5" TFT colour display
with touch panel

On/Off button

Volume (+/-)

Acoustic trumpet

USB connection

USB connection

Laser On/Off button

35 mm jack for the headphones

© PCE Instruments

7

9 Overview and application description of the different sensor types

Acoustic trumpet (standard tool)

Straightening tube

The acoustic trumpet bundles incident
ultrasonic waves, thereby extending the
range of the device. This behaviour makes it
ideal for medium distances.
The leakage can be heard from large
distances, for precise detection, the user
must approach the leakage and consistently
follow the "loudest" point. Individual
compressed air components are then
checked for precise detection.
Quantification distance (distance) 1 – 6 m

Use of acoustic trumpet:

• Average distance to

pipe/component 0.2 - 6 m

• Low interfering noise

• Leakage freely accessible

The straightening tube permits only very few
ultrasonic waves to pass in the direction of
the ultrasonic transducer, allowing leakages
to be located very precisely.

For this reason, the use of the straightening
tube is recommended for small distances, for
the precise detection of the corresponding
leakage.

Quantification distance: 0…0.2 m
Use of focus tube:

• Short distance to pipe/component

0.05 m

• Pipe/component freely accessible

• Pipes and components to be

inspected are very close together

10 Start-up / Application of the PCE-LDC 15

10.1 Switch on

Hold down the power button for about 1 second, the power will turn on, and a start-up sequence
will appear on the display. Pressing the button again switches the device off again.

10.2 Headphone Volume Up / Volume Down

The volume up and volume down buttons in the headset can be increased or decreased in 16
steps. Continuously pressing the button automatically increases / decreases the value.

Please make sure the headphone level is <50% before putting on the headphones.

© PCE Instruments

8

10.3 Sensitivity level

Ultrasound levels can be understood as a "loudness" of the leakage.
With the “Sensitivity" button, the sensitivity of the PCE-LDC 15 can be adjusted to the

environment, which strongly influences the acoustic behaviour of the device and increases or
decreases the valid value range. A reduction in sensitivity reduces the range of the leakage.

The sensitivity levels or the automatic function are selected via the "Sensitivity" button.

Sensitivity levels
0–60 dB = Highest sensitivity level of the device (use with small leaks and no noise), selection

with the "Sensitivity" button

10 –70 dB = Leakages and noises get "less noisy", the range is reduced.
20–80 dB = Leakages and noises get "less noisy", the range is reduced.
30–90 dB = Leakages and noises get "less noisy", the range is reduced.
40–100 dB = Most insensitive stage (large leaks, many noises → for heavy-duty application)

10.4 Laser On/Off

The laser pointer can only be switched on by pressing the laser on / off button.
When switched on, the display shows a laser warning symbol.

Please note the warnings
for laser operation!
Avoid direct / indirect (via
reflexion) irradiation of the
eyes in humans and
animals!

The PCE-LDC 15 offers a manual selection
as well as an automatic function "Auto" for
setting the sensitivity.
Selection is made by pressing the

"Sensitivity" setting button.

When "Auto" is selected, the PCE-LDC 15
selects the best possible sensitivity level.

Sensitivity button

Laser „On“

Icon

© PCE Instruments

9

11 Operation

The operation is largely self-explanatory and menu-driven via the touch panel.
The selection of the respective menu items is done via short "tapping" with the finger or a soft
round pen.

Attention: Please use no pens or other objects with sharp edges! The foil can be damaged!

11.1 Initialization

11.2 Screen

The following picture shows and describes the display elements.

Signal level in dB

Bar graph of signal level

Settings menu

Sensivity level button

Laser „On“

Date/ Time and battery condition
indicator

After switching on the PCE-LDC 15,
the initialization takes place and then
switch to leakage display.

© PCE Instruments

10

Date / Time:

Battery condtion indicator

Battery condtion:

22%

Power supply connected and battery is charging:

11.3 Settings menu

The operation is largely self-explanatory and menu-driven via the touch panel.
The selection of the respective menu items occurs via short "tapping" with the finger or a soft
round pen.

Attention: Please use no pens or other objects with sharp edges! The foil can be damaged!

Before the leakage search is started, the device must be configured. The user can access the
menu by clicking the "Settings" button. The following figure shows the “Settings”-Menu.

Settings:

With the button „Settings“ you
access the basic menu of the PCE­LDC 15.

Return to measurement by pressing
„Back“ –button.

© PCE Instruments

11

11.3.1 Language

11.3.2 Time & Date

Here you can select one of 13
languages for the PCE-LDC 15.

For languages on page 2 please press

By pushing the Time Zone description
field and enter the correct UTC, you
can set the correct time all over the
world.

The summer and wintertime
switchover is realized by pushing the

Daylight Saving button.

© PCE Instruments

12

11.3.3 System settings

11.3.3.1 System update

If required, there is the possibility for the PCE-LDC 15 to download a firmware update to the
device via the USB stick.
The received file must then be stored on the USB stick and transferred to your device as described
below.

P1: V033
C1
I1

Update Kanäle

Check for updates

If it is required to install an older software version, you have press the button „Force all“.

Overview of System-Update-

Functions.

If the PCE-LDC 15 is correctly
connected to the USB stick and there
are new versions of the individual SW
Parts, the new versions are marked in
red.

The update is started by pressing the
„Update selections“ button.

© PCE Instruments

13

11.3.3.2 Factory reset

Bevor the settings are changed to the
production default settings a safety prompt
is displayed and must be confirmed by
pressing the button „Yes“.

Note: Saved data are not deleted or
overwritten.

If needed with „Reboot System“ the PCE­LDC 15 could be started (reboot) here.

© PCE Instruments

14

11.3.4 Calibration of touchpanel

11.3.5 Backlight brightness

If necessary, the touch-screen calibration
can be changed here.

Push Calibrate and it appears, 1. left
above,2. bottom right, 3. bottom left,

4.right above and 5. in the middle, a
calibration cross that must be pushed
consecutively.

If the calibration finished positive a
message “Calibration successful”
appears and have to be confirmed with

OK.

Is this not the case, so you can repeat the
calibration with the help of the Cancel and

Calibrate button.

Here you adjust the desired Backlight
(15-100%) of the display directly.

E. g. Backlight to 39 %

© PCE Instruments

15

Note: At the first touch, the Backlight in our example is reset to 39%, after that a "normal" function

operation is possible..

Important: If the Backlight dimming after button is not activated, then the Backlight stays
permanently on, in the currently set brightness.

11.3.6 Cleaning

With the help of the Backlight dimming

after button, after a definable time interval

(here after 15 minutes), the Backlight can
be reduced to the minimum.

As soon as the dimmed screen is
operated again, the Backlight is
committed automatically on the last set
value before dimming.

To reduce the energy consumption
(device runtime), you can switch off the
display backlight by setting "Backlight
off after".

This function can be used for cleaning the
touch panel during running
measurements.

If one minute is not enough time to clean,
the process can be repeated at any time.

Is the cleaning faster finished, then you
can push the to abort press long button
(for one or two seconds) to cancel.

© PCE Instruments

16

12 Charging the battery

The PCE-LDC 15 checks the charging status of the battery and starts the charging process
automatically if necessary.

To protect the Li-ION accumulator of exhaustive discharge the device is switching off
automatically if a cell voltage of 6.4 V will be reached.

Connect external power
supply to the charging socket.

Symbol „CHG“ is
displayed during
charging.

© PCE Instruments

17

13 Warranty

You can read our warranty terms in our General Business Terms which you can find here:

https://www.pce-instruments.com/english/terms.

14 Disposal

For the disposal of batteries in the EU, the 2006/66/EC directive of the European Parliament
applies. Due to the contained pollutants, batteries must not be disposed of as household waste.
They must be given to collection points designed for that purpose.

In order to comply with the EU directive 2012/19/EU we take our devices back. We either re-use
them or give them to a recycling company which disposes of the devices in line with law.

For countries outside the EU, batteries and devices should be disposed of in accordance with
your local waste regulations.

If you have any questions, please contact PCE Instruments.

© PCE Instruments

18

PCE Instruments contact information

Germany France Spain

PCE Deutschland GmbH PCE Instruments France EURL PCE Ibérica S.L.
Im Langel 26 23, rue de Strasbourg Calle Mayor, 53
D-59872 Meschede 67250 Soultz-Sous-Forets 02500 Tobarra (Albacete)
Deutschland France España
Tel.: [phone] Téléphone: [phone] Tel. : [phone]
Fax: [phone] Numéro de fax: [phone] Fax: [phone]
[e-mail] [e-mail] [e-mail]
www.pce-instruments.com/deutsch www.pce-instruments.com/french www.pce-instruments.com/espanol

United Kingdom Italy Turkey

PCE Instruments UK Ltd PCE Italia s.r.l. PCE Teknik Cihazları Ltd.Şti.
Unit 11 Southpoint Business Park Via Pesciatina 878 / B-Interno 6 Halkalı Merkez Mah.
Ensign Way, Southampton 55010 Loc. Gragnano Pehlivan Sok. No.6/C
Hampshire Capannori (Lucca) 34303 Küçükçekmece - İstanbul
United Kingdom, SO31 4RF Italia Türkiye
Tel: [phone] Telefono: [phone] Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone] Fax: [phone] Faks: 0212 705 53 93
[e-mail] [e-mail] [e-mail]
www.pce-instruments.com/english www.pce-instruments.com/italiano www.pce-instruments.com/turkish

The Netherlands United States of America Denmark

PCE Brookhuis B.V. PCE Americas Inc. PCE Instruments Denmark ApS
Institutenweg 15 1201 Jupiter Park Drive, Suite 8 Birk Centerpark 40
7521 PH Enschede Jupiter / Palm Beach 7400 Herning
Nederland 33458 FL Denmark
Telefoon: [phone] USA
[e-mail] Tel: [phone]
www.pce-instruments.com/dutch Fax: [phone]
[e-mail]
www.pce-instruments.com/us