What are Water Leak Noise Correlators?

Water leak correlators are acoustic listening devices for used conducting water leak surveys and pinpointing individual leaks. These devices are commonly used by municipal water authorities to perform regular leak audits on their systems or to identify precise leak locations.

• The advantages of water leak noise correlators include:
• The ability to perform leak audits without shutting down the water supply.
• The ability to pinpoint precise leak locations over large distances
• The ability to survey up to six sections of pipeline with a single set up
• A reliance on computer analyzation of leak sounds as opposed to operator skill
• The recording of leak detection data for sharing with maintenance workers and other staff.

In this article, we will cover water leak detection equipment: specifically, water leak correlators. Leak correlation equipment will be defined, and its strengths and weakness will be reviewed. We will then cover how to choose the right leak correlation equipment for your organization’s needs, followed by an introduction to the water leak correlation device sold by Precision Outdoor Tech.

What problems does leak correlation equipment solve?

Municipal water supply systems not only supply clean water to our cities and towns, they help to guarantee the high quality of life expected in our modern society. These supply systems are complex and can often encompass hundreds or even thousands of miles of pipelines.

With such large systems that are often built with different sections of variously aged pipes, leaks are bound to happen. A few small leaks here or there are expected, and generally do not pose significant threats to the system as a whole. However, as a few leaks develop into a few dozen, and then a few hundred, they can cause a large aggregate water loss, a significant drop in system water pressure, and can increase the likelihood of contamination in customers’ water supply lines.

Many water supply systems are equipped with pressure sensors that will alert management if a large loss of pressure is detected on a line. However, if numerous small leaks appear gradually, or if a single small leak gradually grows, the pressure loss may go unnoticed.

Due to the potential for system wide water loss and, in extreme cases, failure of a water supply system entirely, all municipal water supply organizations should have water leak audits and surveys as part of their regular maintenance plans.

Water leak correlators can be a useful tool for maintenance teams performing these audits and can lead to significant savings in time and money for the system management organization.

What are Leak Correlators?

Water leak correlators are tools designed for performing water leak audits and surveys across multiple pipelines at once. They can also be used to identify leak locations with pinpoint accuracy.

Unlike traditional acoustic leak detection equipment, which only surveys one line at a time, leak correlators are built with an integrated computer system that processes acoustic signals along multiple pipelines. These signals are then translated into data that can indicate leak locations along each pipeline.

Since leak correlation data is collected by sophisticated listening devices and interpreted by computer-based algorithms, the potential for user error is reduced when compared with traditional acoustic leak detection equipment. Water leak correlators are best used in busy city environments where loud noises can overwhelm a human listener or where multiple water lines need to be audited at once.

What is the difference between an acoustic leak detector and a leak noise correlator?

Acoustic water leak detection equipment and water leak correlators are often confused. They each work by gathering leak sounds along a pipeline, however the leak correlator is a far more advanced, versatile, and accurate leak locating device.

Leak detectors operate along a single pipeline at a time. The sounds collected by the ground microphone are listened to and interpreted by an operator. Leak detectors may have noise filters and powerful amplifiers, but the interpretation of leak sounds is solely reliant on the skill and experience of the operator.

Water leak correlators, like traditional acoustic leak detectors, are listening devices designed to read the sounds of leaks along pipelines. However, in a water leak noise correlator, a computer collects noise data from multiple water lines at once and can correlate the data to identify not only which lines are leaking, but the exact distance to the leak locations. Since the sounds are collected from within the pipeline itself and are interpreted by a computer-based system, the potential for user error is reduced, even when multiple lines are being surveyed at once.

Parts of a water leak noise correlator

Water leak correlators have two primary components, the Main Processor Unit, and a series of Pre-Amplifier Transmitters.

The Leak Correlator Main Processor Unit

The main processor unit is the heart of a leak correlator. During a water leak audit, the size, material, length, and water pressure of the pipeline being audited are entered into the processor. When the sounds of leaks are collected by the pre-amp transmitters and sent to the main processor unit, they are interpreted by computer-based algorithms to precisely locate leak locations along the pipeline system. The leak location data is then displayed on the screen of the main processor unit. The data can also be transferred to a laptop or desktop computer for sharing with office or maintenance staff.

The Leak Correlator Pre-Amp Transmitter

The pre-amp transmitters collect leak noise data for the main processor unit to use. These units are placed inside the water system at different locations such as hydrants or valves. At each location the sound of water running through the lines is recorded. The location of each transmitter is also recorded by GPS. All of this data is then sent to the main processor unit by radio signal for processing.

How to use a leak noise correlator

To use a leak noise correlator, the area to be surveyed must first be defined. Depending on the size of the survey area and the number of pre-amp transmitters being used, up to 6 pipeline segments can be surveyed at once.

The pre-amplifiers are then placed inside the section of the system to be surveyed. The amplifiers are directly connected to the main processor unit or can be connected remotely through radio. When placed, the amplifiers must have a clear view of the sky to enable their GPS units to connect with satellite systems. If placed in deep pipeline locations, the pre-amplifiers can be connected to antenna that have a clear view of the sky, ensuring that the locations can be accurately recorded.

Once the pre-amplifiers have been installed, they are then connected to the main processor unit. The unit is then turned on and information about the pipeline is entered into the computer. This information can include pipe diameter, material, and length.

The main processor unit is then set to receive and interpret sounds inside the pipelines that are collected by the pre-amplifiers. Once the data has been received, correlated, and interpreted, the main processor unit will display the data on the screen, or the data can be transferred to a laptop or desktop computer system for further analysis, interpretation, or sharing.

Water Leak Noise Correlator Prices

Water leak noise correlation equipment represents a significant investment. However, they can easily pay for themselves in a single use by correctly identifying leak locations. This can help water supply system managers to save on repair costs and water losses over time.

The proper use of water leak noise correlation equipment can prevent expensive groundbreaking activities in the wrong locations while also reducing the amount of time that busy city streets and sidewalks will need to be shut down or diverted.

In addition, the surveys conducted by water leak noise correlators can be completed without shutting off service to customers, reducing system downtime and keeping customers and other stakeholders happy.

Choosing a Water Leak Noise Correlator

A water leak correlator is not the only leak detection device on the market. If you are looking for a device that can perform leak audits or surveys on one line at a time, or in rural areas, an acoustic leak detector may be the correct tool for the job. However, if you are seeking a device that can survey large sections of a water system quickly and accurately, specifically in noise-dense urban areas, a water leak correlator can get the job done.

The LC-5000 is the ONLY leak correlator carried by Precision Outdoor Tech. This device is available in two packages: the two pre-amplifier package or the four pre-amplifier package. With GPS location technology and a powerful main processing unit, this correlator is designed for busy city streets and provides precise leak locations during water leak surveys and audits. If you would like to learn more about this unit, you may find more information on the LC-5000 product page.

Contact us with any Leak Detector or Leak Correlator Questions

At Precision Outdoor Tech, we want to make sure that you find the leak survey or audit device that meets the needs of your project. Give us a call with your question, and we will be happy to help you out. If we don’t’ know the answer, we will find it for you. If it is after hours, please use the contact form listed in the municipal contact section below and we will respond shortly.