Made in the USA Since 1931

Customers Contact:

XLT-20 CE
Fisher Research Laboratory
200 W. Willmott Rd.
Los Banos, CA 93635
Tel: (209) 826-3292; Fax: (209) 826-0416
Email: info@fisherlab.com
www.fisherlab.com LEAK DETECTOR

FEATURES...

✓ Acoustically Shielded
Big Foot Crystal Probe
✓ Direct Pipe Contact
Cylinder Probe
✓ High-Gain Solid-State
Amplifier
✓ Night Light on Meter Dial
✓ Visual & Audio Detection
✓ Detects All Types of
Liquid Leaks

Operating Manual
FISHER RESEARCH LABORATORY
FRL8700680-A
 Table of Contents

Brief Instructions................................................................... 2
Practical Leak Detection & Location................................. 2
Summary of Acoustical Leak Detection............................ 4
Leak Sounds........................................................................ 5
Competing Sounds............................................................. 5
The XLT-20 CE Instrument Set.......................................... 7
Control Box........................................................................... 8
Leak Survey Preparation.................................................... 11
Setting Up for Use................................................................ 12
Survey & Detection without Direct Contact....................... 12
Quartering............................................................................. 13
Survey & Detection with Direct Contact............................ 14
Periodic Leak Survey.......................................................... 15
Special Applications............................................................ 17
Care....................................................................................... 18
Changing Batteries ............................................................ 19
Specifications....................................................................... 20
Ultrasonic Sound & Leak Detection................................... 21

1
Brief Instructions
Historically, much acoustical leak detection was done with crow
bars or screw drivers held firmly against a pipe to transmit sounds
to the water operator’s ear. There are still successful practitioners
of this method. Today’s pipe materials and operating conditions make
these older methods much more difficult. This is true principally be-
cause in most areas, pipes being laid are no longer made of metal;
they are usually plastic or asbestos-cement which are much poorer
conductors of sound. Added to this is that more distracting noises
have come about through more traffic and urbanization. Distracting
noises from things like vehicles can be obstacles to leak detection
efforts.
Modern electronic leak detection equipment not only amplifies
the raw leak sounds coming up from the ground, but allows the op-
erator to selectively filter out the distracting sounds so that he can
more easily home in on the unusual sound of a leak as it stands out
from normal flow sounds. The Fisher XLT-20 CE Leak Detector and
Locator was designed to be the first line of defense to assist water
managers in reducing unaccounted for water. All who set out on this
endeavor should realize that there are no magic short cuts in acous-
tical leak detection. Anyone being initiated to this discipline will need
to spend some time with his particular system and with full knowl-
edge of the layout, depths, pipe materials and pipe lengths, cou-
plings and valves; pressures, history of the system and the precise
location of the centerlines of each pipeline to be surveyed. Be willing
to invest a minimum of three hours per week, for six weeks, to be-
come familiar with leak detection.
Practical Leak Detection & Location
Leak detection is largely a “process of elimination” when there
are no obvious signs in an area that leaks are present. Usually when
the master meters in an area are compared to the service meter
totals and there is a significant discrepancy, leaks can be expected.
As much as possible, isolate this area, even if it means shutting off
service to certain customers for an hour so that all flow in the area
can be monitored. Older parts of your system and areas with higher
than normal leak history should be the first areas of suspect; of course
if water is surfacing or draining into sewers, etc., you may want to
start in that vicinity. Recent excavations are always a reason to sus-
2 3
pect that a waterline was disturbed and started leaking. Once you
have systematically narrowed down the area using the above crite-
ria, arbitrarily start in the middle of the selected section.
It is assumed at this point that the operator recognizes leak
sounds. The sound is described by some as a hiss or gurgle and
stands out from normal leak sounds. In practice, one cannot really
know the sound until he experiences it anymore than he can know
the sound of a siren or bell when described as a “wail” or “ding” until
he actually hears it. Ideally, going to the site of a known leak and
listening to it, as well as areas up and downstream from it would be
an excellent introduction.
There is no real substitute for spending some hours listening to
one’s own water system so that the normal flow sounds are very
well ingrained into one’s memory. After several sessions of listening
to these same or very similar sounds of flow, a leak sound will stand
out as being distinctively different. When this sound is identified, it
then becomes a more simple task of pinpointing or closing in on it
so that a small hole can be dug for repair. Remember, not all leaks
sound alike and probably no two sound exactly alike, but if you ap-
proach leak detection as a “process of elimination,” knowing that it
really is important to know where the leaks are not, as well as finding
the leaks themselves, you will continue methodically until you are
confident that all leaks of consequence have been found in the area.
More ground can be covered, (i.e., more pipeline can be sur-
veyed in a given time), if leak detection is accomplished by a two-
person team. One, of course, is the operator of the instrument and
the other accompanies him with a clipboard and form(s) showing a
sketch of the area to be surveyed and “boxes” to enter meter read-
ings at the test points.
Diagram A
 Referring to Diagram A on the previous page, your start point
should coincide with a valve location or known joint. Your initial
sensings should then be over the joints, every 20 feet, until you reach
the end of the section being surveyed. If nothing is sensed, go back
to the midpoint and again sense every 20 feet in the opposite direc-
tion. If this again does not elicit a leak, go back to the starting point
and work the “A leg” again by bisecting the original sensing points.
This would then be followed by bisecting the test points on the “B
leg.” Continue working in this manner if needed.
Let’s refer to the equipment for a moment. In your initial search
of both legs, you will be using “No Filter” on the XLT-20 CE. Once a
leak sound is identified, a shift to “Band Select” and a slow rotation
of the Frequency Knob will be made to enhance the leak sound.
This will also mask frequencies above and below the leak sound.
Usually, the leak sound will be found between a reading of E and F.
The Bandwidth Knob can be considered as a fine tuning control of
the Frequency Knob but normally is left in the 12 o’clock position
until a precise fine “tuning” is needed. After the Frequency Knob is
placed in its best position, rotate the Bandwidth Knob slowly to fur-
ther enhance the perception of the leak sound. From that point on,
the operator and his assistant will be making efforts to pinpoint the
leak, making small movements with the Big Foot Probe and listen-
ing as well as recording the meter level with each placement. At the
highest level of a leak sound, a 1” hold should be made. The 1/4”
stainless rod or rods with the cylinder probe should then be pushed
down through the pavement to confirm that the leak sound is present.
An impact driver can help clear the way through the pavement and
below it. Sometimes water comes up from such a hole as a further
confirmation of a nearby leak. Before drilling the hole, however, refer
to paragraph H-2, on pages 13-14 on “quartering” the leak.
Summary of Acoustical Leak Detection
1. Be thoroughly familiar with your equipment and be sure that all
its electrical and physical connections are tight so that distract-
ing noises are not introduced.
2. Leak detection personnel should be selected carefully. Develop
specialists who are the only ones who do detection. A special
aptitude is not nearly as important as having person(s) being
enthusiastic about results and consider water conservaation a
challenge. Leak detection is most successfully done by persons
4 5
who are methodical and possess good common sense and who
know the pipeline systems they are working.
3. Practice with the equipment in various areas of your water sys-
tem BEFORE there are serious leaks to be found.
4. Do not be hasty in making your final pinpoint prior to excavation.
Leak Sounds
A pressurized liquid escaping through an orifice in a buried pipe
will generate three types of sound. Type 1 sounds are caused by the
friction of the escaping liquid against the orifice and are generally in
the 500-1,000 Hz range. Type 2 sounds are generated by the liquid
striking the soil. Type 3 sounds are caused by the turbulence of the
liquid circulating in the eroded soil cavity adjacent to the leak. Type 2
and Type 3 leak sounds are normally below 400 Hz.
The three different sound waves travel along the pipe and through
the soil in expanding concentric circles much like the ripples caused
when a stone is thrown into a pond. The distance traveled is depen-
dent on such variables as the type of sound, size of leak, pipe diam-
eter, pipe material, internal pressure and the composition of the
ground.
Type 1 sounds may travel a considerable distance through the
soil and even farther down the pipe wall, while Type 2 and 3 sounds
will travel only a very short distance away from the leak. Dry, sandy
soil will transmit sound waves best while damp clay absorbs sound
vibration. Water-saturated soil of any type greatly dampens leak
sounds. For example, a given leak sound may be detectable 100
feet along the pipe if the fill is dry sand, but only 5-20 feet if the fill is
saturated mud.
Competing Sounds
Normal & Distracting Sounds: The sound generated by the
leak competes with other normal every sounds in the area. You may
hear a combination of the sound of water flowing through pipes,
pump noises in the system, meters clicking, machinery running,
traffic noises, power stations, pedestrians walking and sounds cre-
ated by vibrations from all things other than the leak itself. Even the
wind may become part of the ambient sound level.
 The XLT-20 CE Instrument Set
It may be necessary to survey the water system late at night or
1. Control Box:
early in the morning in order to eliminate all distracting sounds. Di-
The controls are contained in a sturdy extruded aluminum box.
rect contact with the pipe using the Hydrophonic Cylinder Probe elimi-
The function of each control is explained in the following pages.
nates much of the interference from traffic and pedestrian noise.
2. Big Foot Probe:
In all leak detection, it is abnormal sound that you must identify,
This probe is used ONLY on concrete pavement. The rubber
and you cannot accurately and quickly detect the abnormal sound
shield forms close contact with the pavement to keep out above-
unless you are thoroughly familiar with normal sounds.
ground sounds. The handle swivels just above the rubber shield
to allow for placement under vehicles or other obstructions.
3. Hydrophonic Cylinder Probe:
This probe is used either with the four inch sound rod or the T-
handle and one or more of the 24 inch sound rods screwed to-
gether. When tightening the rods or T-handle in place, be sure to
avoid twisting internal wiring in the probe and eventually causing
a short circuit or break. The probe with a sound rod can go
through small apertures to gain access to valves, meters or pipes.
It also can be pushed into the ground to touch or be near the
pipe when it is attached to the T-handle and one or more of the
24 inch sound rods. The Cylinder Probe is attached to a four
Little Foot
inch probe rod for evaluating sounds close to the surface such
(Optional Accessory) as a lawn watering system or penetrating pipe installation for
direct contact with pipe. The toggle switch on the probe allows
the operator to leave it on, do a momentary on, or snap it all the
way on.
Using the Big Foot
4. Sound Rods:
Probe over Concrete
The Sound Rods can be joined in 24 inch sections up to a total
of 72 inches or more for direct or indirect contact probing of
2
8
deeply buried pipe. Also furnished is the four inch rod described
above.
5. T-Handle:
The T-Handle is screwed on below the Hydrophonic Cylinder
Probe before threading on the Sound Rods to prevent strain on
the probe when pressing the rod or rods into the ground.
6. Headphones:
These headphones have been constructed for extreme comfort
during long periods of use. They have the ability to shut out dis-
6 9
tracting sounds while providing excellent response through the
1
entire frequency range.
5
3

7 4
Complete Instrument Set

6 7
7. Carrying Straps: 1. Meter Light/Mute:
The two black straps, one going around the neck and the other This two-position toggle switch illuminates the meter for night
around the operator’s waist leave the hands free to make tuning reading when turned to Meter Light. In the Mute position, it cuts
adjustments during the leak survey. off power to the meter and sound to the earphones and may be
8. Carrying Case: used when moving the probe from one location to another to
The carrying case is lined with protective foam to hold each com- shut out distracting sounds such as passing vehicles.
ponent securely during transport. 2. Volume:
9. Coil Cord: This control increases or decreases the sound to the head-
This cable has two male jacks. One fits into the socket on the phones.
right end cap of the XLT-20, the other into the socket located on 3. Meter Sens:
the Big Foot handle shaft or the Hydrophonic Cylinder Probe This control varies meter sensitivity or needle movement in re-
housing. The jack should be fully inserted into the receptacle sponse to the input signal. If the input signal is of low intensity
and the lock nut tightened. and the operator wishes to detect minor differences in meter
10. Little Foot: needle response, he should increase Meter Sens. If the noise
This transducer or probe is an optional accessory. It is normally level is high and needle fluctuations are wide, the operator should
used for sensing leaks in slab floors, walls or ceilings. The op- decrease Meter Sens to stay on scale.
erator presses the probe against the concrete and turns it on or 4. Off/On - Test Charge:
off with the red button. a. Off/On: This rotary switch has four positions. All the way to
the left is the Off position. The first position clockwise from Off is
the On position.
Control Box b. Battery Test: The XLT-20 CE is powered by alkaline batter
ies. To check the level of the batteries, turn the knob from Off to
Battery Test and see if the battery condition is above 80 on the
6 5 meter. If not, the batteries need to be charged using only the
charger supplied with the instrument.
5. Type of Filter:
1 No Filter: With the knob in this position, all sounds are ampli-
fied. This mode is normally used to commence the leak search.
In addition to the No Filter setting, the operator can choose the
7 following electronic filters provided in the instrument:
9 a. Band Select: This filter amplifies a range of frequencies fall-
8 ing within a ‘window,” while rejecting those outside the window.
2 The “window” is determined by the setting of the frequency knob.
b. Band Reject: This filter eliminates frequencies falling within
a “window” while amplifying those outside the window.

3
4

8 9
 Leak Survey Preparation
c. Lo Freq Reject:
This filter rejects frequencies that are lower than the setting of
the frequency knob while amplifying those that are higher. Whenever possible, the operator should study the water system
d. Hi Freq Reject: plans for:
This filter rejects frequencies that are higher than the setting a. Location of all pipes. The locating of metallic pipes can be
while amplifying those that are lower. accomplished with a Fisher Pipe & Cable Locator, such as the Fisher
6. Bandwidth: M-Scope TW-6 or TW-770 Line tracer.
This knob permits the operator to choose the Bandwidth (i.e., b. Location of joints, valves and siphons, meter boxes, etc.
the width of the frequency window in the Band Select and Band c. Location of service laterals.
Reject filter modes.) Turning the knob clockwise results in fre- d. Pipe sizes and types (cast iron, cement asbestos, PVC, etc.)
quency window of narrower width, and vice-versa. Normally leave e. Water system pressure.
the setting between D and E. It is really a “fine-tuning” of fre- f. Location of all pumps and nearby noise sources.
quency and not always needed. The operator will save considerable time and inaccuracy of evalu-
7. Frequency: ation by preparing a layout sketch of the system and selecting test
The effect of the Frequency knob for the positions of the Type of points in advance of the search. Check for visible water. Check all
Filter knob is as follows: fire hydrants, meter boxes and valves in the search area and its
a. Band Select: The setting of the Frequency knob determines water system. Note that escaping water will often migrate a dis-
the frequency of the “window” selected. tance before appearing on the surface or will sink leaving no detect-
b. Band Reject: The setting of the Frequency knob determines able surface trace.
the frequency of the “window” rejected.
HOUSE HOUSE
c. Lo Freq Reject: The setting of the Frequency knob deter-
mines the lower frequencies rejected. METER
d. Hi Freq Reject: The setting of the Frequency knob deter- HYDRANT
SHUT
HYDRANT
mines the higher frequencies rejected. OFF
MAIN
e. No Filter: The Frequency and Bandwidth knobs have no ef-
VALVE
fect when the Type of Filter knob is in the No Filter position.
SIPHON SIPHON SWIMMING
Frequencies are marked A through H to provide an easy refer SHUT SPRINKLER
OFF POOL
ence without cluttering the panel. Leak search in Band Select is HOUSE VALVE HOUSE VALVE
best commenced with the Frequency knob set between D and
E. Subsequently, turn the Frequency knob through the full range POOL PUMP
of frequencies, while listening for the clearest possible reception POOL
of a leak sound. Diagram B
8. Probe Connector:
This female socket located on the right end cap of the electron- Check for surface indentations indicating settling of the soil. Again,
ics box accepts the coil cord which connects the control box to this can occur at a considerable distance from the actual leak as
the probe selected. water flows along the path of least resistance. Check all water meter
9. Headphone Jack: indications. If the service (house, factory, etc.) has turned off all taps
This female socket is located on the left end cap of the control and water services, the meter should indicate zero flow of water.
box and accepts the headphone plug. The general area of the leak can often be determined by compari-
son of meter readings, and meters themselves provide easily ac-
cessible test points.

10 11
 Using the Hydrophonic Cylinder Probe and the Sound Rod, the If the main is under the street or sidewalk, the operator should
operator may make direct contact with the pipe or the face of the use the Big Foot probe, and at intervals of five feet directly over the
meter dial and evaluate the sound quality. This may lead to detection main, test the sound without changing control settings, and record
of a leak in defective fittings, the pipeline itself or the remote branches the value indicated on the XLT-20 CE meter. The sounds heard when
of the suspect system. using the Hydrophonic Cylinder and Sound Rods without direct con-
tact to the pipe will be duller because the ground absorbs sound.
Setting Up for Use
Quartering
When the operator has prepared his survey or search plan, the
XLT-20 CE can be put into service.
1. Connect the headphones, making certain the plug is fully inserted.
2. Check batteries in Battery Test. If okay, proceed to step 3. Oth-
erwise, recharge the batteries and then proceed.
3. Turn the Power switch to the On position.
4. Set the Frequency knob to a beginning level at the red arrow or
at mid-range (if using band select).
5. Turn the Type of Filter knob to the No Filter position.
6. Turn the Meter Sens knob to the red arrow. Diagram C
7. Connect the pickup to the Big Foot or Hydrophonic Cylinder
Probe, place the probe on the ground and test the sensitivity of Center the leak by “quartering” (see Diagram C) the isolated
the unit by tapping your foot on the ground near the probe as- leak area. At the test point which generated the highest meter read-
sembly. Adjust the volume to the headset. If the instrument set- ing, use the probe best adapted to the job and establish the leak
tings are correct, a loud noise will be heard in the headset and frequency by setting the Meter Sens at a level giving approximately
the meter will indicate a rapid rise and fall with each tap of the mid-scale deflection on the meter, then rotate the Frequency knob
foot. The instrument is now ready to use. until maximum meter deflection is indicated. This determines the
frequency of the leak sound. Mark the spot on the surface over which
the strongest signal is heard. At a distance of 18 inches, compare
Survey & Detection without Direct Contact the meter readings at the four points of the compass around the
1. Test all pre-selected test points (see Diagram A for typical test leak. Strong and equal readings at all four points indicate that the
points). leak has been centered. If a higher reading is obtained on one of the
a. Check all service shut-off controls, valves, meters and ex- quadrant’s points compared to the others, relocate the marked spot
posed fittings. At the first check point, set the meter sensitivity at on the surface in that direction and again quarter the leak.
20. This knob (Meter Sens) setting should be used throughout
the initial survey, and use the same probe (either Big Foot or
Hydrophonic Cylinder Probe) throughout the initial evaluation.
When the leak sound is heard, the operator will sense it either
by the meter indication or from the difference in sound quality
through the headphones.
b. After listening to the test points, the operator should evaluate
the entire system, even if a leak was discovered at the outset in
the exposed fitting survey. To do this, the center line of the main
must be accurately located and marked along its entire length. Diagram D

12 13
 At a distance of 30 inches, again quarter the spot marked on the
surface. Being farther from the noise source, the sub-surface will
attenuate more of the total signal and provide consistency of signal
strength. Continue quartering the leak until its precise location is
determined, adjusting in the direction of the highest meter reading.
As you continue refining the location of the leak, you will hear the
leak sound more clearly. Continue to adjust the Frequency control to
filter out sounds other than the leak. Use Bandwidth for fine tuning.
Rely on the discriminatory power of the ear to detect and identify
the exact sound of the leak and you will hear the hiss of water es-
caping through the orifice, the tumbling action of sand and pebbles
as the water impacts on them, and the characteristic sound of the
pipe vibration itself.
Survey & Detection with Direct Contact
1. Where leak conditions or circumstances do not respond to the
Survey, Detection with Direct Contact method, it is necessary to
use probe contact with exposed sections on the pipeline. These
may consist of meters, risers, shut-off valves or an exposed
part of the pipe itself. In some cases, contact may have to made
by inserting the sound rods through a small drill hole in the earth
or concrete leading to direct contact with the pipe. If a piece of
the pipe is already exposed, the Sound Rod and Hydrophonic
Cylinder Probe provide direct contact. The Cylinder Probe must
be held in a vertical position.
a. Place the Hydrophonic Cylinder Probe on a water meter which
is in close proximity to a supposed leak or leaks.
b. The best results are obtained when the Sound Rod is placed
directly on the exposed portion of the lateral side inside the meter
box, but satisfactory results may also be obtained if the rod is
placed on top of the meter. The probe itself should NOT BE HAND
HELD in position or distracting sounds may be added. Use the
T-Handle.
c. Move the detector and probe to adjacent meters and record
the readings on both sides of the meter originally selected in the
same manner as above.
d. The highest meter reading will be obtained at the water meter
or lateral nearest the actual leak. If readings do not decrease on
one lateral or another, continue to survey an additional meter
away from the initial checkpoint.
14
e. When the highest reading is obtained indicating the water
meter or lateral in closest proximity to the leak, check the lateral
and main in that vicinity by the non-contact method.
f. If the leak is not detected by this non-contact method, bore
holds should be drilled to the main and laterals and the Sound
Rods used to contact the pipe. These holes should be about six
feet apart; with three bore holes it is quite possible to accurately
locate the leak. (If the middle hole does not give the highest read-
ing on the meter, a fourth or fifth hole will be necessary to locate
the leak. The contact closest to the leak will provide the highest
reading on the meter).
g. In cutting the street for leak repair, favor the area in the vicinity
of the highest indication on the meter. This location must be
carefully centered through the Quartering method, either with
or without direct contact through additional bore holes.
Note: A leak the size of a needle point will generate vibrations suffi-
cient to carry five to six feet along the pipe. Larger leaks cause
greater vibrations. The distance that sound will carry along a pipe
increases proportionally with the size of a leak (if internal pressure
is equal. In all cases, the strongest vibration is at or above the point
of the leak.
Periodic Leak Survey
If a periodic survey indicates leak noise, a survey should be con-
ducted by the non-contact method in the vicinity over the main and
a contact method survey should be conducted at nearby water
meters. Before drilling holes to the main, attempt to narrow down
the suspect area by actual contact at service connections or by the
non-contact method. If a leak noise can be detected at several ser-
vice connections, it is evident that the leak is on the main and not on
any of the laterals tested.
If, on the other hand, the leak sound is indicated on only one
lateral (at the meter), it can be assumed that the leak is on that
particular lateral leading from the main.
To obtain valid results, follow a distinct routine and record the
readings methodically. Keep a record of all known factors regarding
the pipe system traversed. Work with a sketch of the layout of the
area showing all valves, services and hydrants with notes as to the
open or closed position of the valves.
15

A systematic test on the easily available points will quickly show
in what particular section of a line a leak is located. For example, if
on the previous survey check-point number 101 indicated 30 on the
meter, and on this survey indicates 35 or 40 or more, in all probabil-
ity, there is a leak in that area. Check-point identification may be
accomplished through the use of a distinctive color of spray paint,
such as dayglow orange.
When there are no points available for long distance between
readings, it is generally worthwhile to provide bore holes or small
openings to the main so the Sound Rods may be used.
If a large leak is suspected and the general location has been
determined, holes at intervals of from 100 to 200 feet will provide
sufficient indication to narrow down the search quickly. When the
search is narrowed down by examination at these widely spaced
holes, closer spacing and search within the narrowed area is justi-
fied.
Before narrowing down by additional drilling, attempt to find the
leak with the Big Foot Probe in the non-contact method. If a leak
sound is detected between two widely spaced holes, the non-con-
tact method is usually very effective in eliminating further drilling by
indicating actual leak sounds.
Do not expect the Big Foot to record the same intensity as when
using Sound Rods. When the Sound Rod gives a reading of 90 in
the vicinity of the leak, the reading may be only 25 or 30 when using
the Big Foot. This is perfectly normal because vibration will travel
through a rod much greater distance and at a higher intensity than it
will through the ground.
When commencing a leak survey, if the sound level at the first
checkpoint is recorded with a meter Sens control setting in a spe-
cific position, all subsequent readings should be taken with the same
sensitivity control setting.
Surveys should not be conducted in conditions of high wind or
rain because noise created could make readings unreliable. The
coil cord should not allowed to flop around in the wind.
When an automobile or truck passes close to the probe, the
meter needle goes way up until the vehicle has passed out of range.
Should a constant vehicle noise be detected at such a high level for
several minutes, it is well to turn the instrument off. Holding the Mute
button down for the period of high noise levels turns off the sound.
16
Special Applications
1. PVC or Non-Metallic Pipe: These are poor sound conductors.
Sound transmission along the pipe is poor, but ground trans-
mission is unchanged. By isolating the leak (see “Quartering”)
through measurements at short intervals the operator will de-
tect PVC leaks through the noise generated by water under pres-
sure escaping through an orifice and impacting the surrounding
material.
2. Pipe Under Cement Slab, Pool Decking, etc.: Detection of
these leaks can be accomplished by laying out a grid over the
surface. The grid should be at intervals of about one foot and
each grid intersection tested for sound intensity, applying the
same methods as in “Survey & Detection” and “Quartering.”
3. Wall Leaks: Wall leaks can be detected and located by using
the Big Foot probe. Care must be used so that hand motion is
minimized. A wall may be surveyed in the same manner as pipe
under cement, i.e., setting up a grid.
4. Radiant Heating Leaks: See #1 above.
5. Asbestos Insulated Pipe: Turn off all rotary pumps in the heat-
ing system. If pressure in the system is too low, use compressed
air or allow the pipe to gravity drain and turn on the valve to listen
for the sound of air escaping. This technique may also be ap-
plied in detecting leaks in swimming pool systems. An ultrasonic
sound detector such as the Fisher XLG-80 can be very helpful.
6. Encased Pipe: In this case, the water escaping through an ori-
fice soon fills up the encasement. Subsequent escaping water
impacts on water only, generating no characteristic noise. In
these instances, the entire system must be purged of water
and pressurized by air. As the air escapes through an orifice, a
high frequency signal is generated which can be detected with
some sonic leak detectors. Do not exceed 5 PSI when introduc-
ing air into the system to prevent pressure surges which could
create new leaks. The Fisher XLG-80 can be used for ultrasonic
situations.
17
 Care
The Fisher XLT-20 CE is one of the finest liquid leak detection
instruments available to date and deserves reasonable care to keep
it at peak operating efficiency. Always charge the batteries before
going out on a leak survey if necessary, and always keep all compo-
nents stored in the original foam lined case to prevent loss or dam-
age.
Changing Batteries
To change batteries, place the controil box on a flat, clean sur-
face. Remove the two large thumb nuts located on the end with
headphone jack. The housing plate may then be removedd by pull-
ing it straight out.
Looking into the housing, you will find batteries on each side at
the bottom. Disconnect the battery clip leads from the battery packs.
Handle the battery clip leads by the plastic end connection when
removing. Do not pull the clip off by pulling on the wires.
Remove the battery holders one at a time. Replace all 6 AA
cells, making surethat each one is inserted with polarity (+ or -) in
the same direction as the ones you rremove. Slide the battery holder
part way into the housing and snap the wire connector in place,
then push the battery holder all the way in. Follow the same proce-
dure with the other set.
As aan alternate. or temporary power source, you may use two
9V NEDA 1604 batteries, but it will reduce battery life approximately
50 to 60 percent.

PLEASE NOTE!

1. 2.
XLT-20 CE DO NOT GRIP
HYDROPHONIC OR TWIST BY
CYLINDER PROBE HAND TO TIGHTEN

USE SMALL SPANNER

OR WRENCH TO TIGHTEN
TO T-HANDLE

Diagram E
3. 4.

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Specifications Ultrasonic Sound & Leak Detection
Operating Frequency Range........... 80 Hz-8 kHz One of the techniques in locating water leaks is to purge the line
with low pressure air and to listen for the sputtering sound of escap-
Gain................................................. 82 dB ing water and air. Usually this is done as a final confirmation in pin-
pointing the leak. The frequency of the sound can be in the ultra-
Type of Filters.................................. Band Select sonic range, hence the Fisher XLG-80 can be a very handy com-
Band Reject panion detection set along with the XLT-20 CE.
Low Frequency Reject
High Frequency Reject

Meter Output Indication.................... One Milliamp, 0-100 Linear

Scale

Power Supply................................... 9 VDC consists of 12 AA

Alkaline batteries arranged as
2 six packs.
Battery life over 100 hours.

Headset Impedance......................... 100 Ohms

Weight.............................................. 25 lbs., 8 oz. (11.6 kg) in case.

Case Dimensions............................ 8-3/4”x9-1/2”x32-3/8”

(22.2x24.1x82.3cm)

Shipping Weight............................... 26 lbs. (11.8 kg)

Shipping Dimensions...................... 10”x12.5”x35”

(25.4x31.7x88 cm)

The XLG-80 Ultrasonic Detector

The XLG-80 Ultrasonic Detector was designed for sensing in-

dustrial trouble spots such as pressurized telephone cable leaks,
corona discharge, bearing wear, steam trap leakage, valve leaks
and water leaks when purged with air.

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