Fluid Conservation System MAN-080-0002-A Bmic Electronic Leak Monitoring Tool Instruction Manual
- June 1, 2024
- Fluid Conservation System
Table of Contents
Fluid Conservation System MAN-080-0002-A Bmic Electronic Leak Monitoring
Too
Specifications
- Handheld control unit
- Microphone unit with cable & Tripod Unit
- 2 probe rods
- AC adapter
- Headphones
- Carry bag
- IP65 showerproof rating
- Nickel Metal Hydride battery
- 110-240V AC supply compatibility
Using the Bmic
The Bmic is a leak detection device that is simple to operate:
- Select either the probe rods or the tripod unit and screw into the microphone unit.
- Connect the headphones to the connector and connect the microphone cable to the forward connector.
- Pull on the headphones and press the trigger button on top of the unit to listen for leaks.
- Adjust volume/sensitivity using the rotary control.
LED Indication
The LED on the Bmic shows green when operating and red when indicating low
battery power.
Care of the Bmic
The Bmic is rugged and showerproof (to IP65) but contains electronic
circuitry. It should be handled with care, kept clean, dry, and cleaned with a
damp cloth when necessary.
Battery Warning
The Bmic contains a Nickel Metal Hydride battery that should only be replaced
with batteries supplied by Halma Water Management to prevent safety hazards.
Battery Replacement
To replace the battery, undo the screws underneath the hand-held unit,
separate the two halves of the Bmic unit, gently pull out the battery holder,
replace the battery, and ensure no wires are trapped when refitting.
Charging the BMIC
To charge the Bmic, connect the charger lead to the headphone connector and
connect the charger power lead to a universal 110-240V AC supply. The Bmic can
be charged overnight or using a vehicle cigarette lighter adapter.
FAQ
Q: What causes noise in pipelines for acoustic leak detection?
A: Causes of noise in pipelines can include partial blockages,changes in pipe
diameter, changes in pipe direction, installed pumps or meters, consumer
usage, and pipeline damage such as holes, cracks, splits, leaking joints, or
valves.
BMIC Operators Guide
Warning: This manual contains important safety and operating information. Please read, understand and follow the instructions in the manual.
Bmic
The Bmic (pronounced “Bee mike“) is an easy-to-use, low cost, electronic
listening stick and ground microphone combined. It is ideal for general leak
sound-ing operations and can be fitted with either a tripod foot (for use as a
ground microphone) or probe rods (for sounding at fittings or in soft ground).
The control unit is a “trigger” operation and a volume/sensitivity rotary
control. An LED indicates operation and battery status. It can be used to
confirm the position of underground leaks audibly from ground level; sound
pipe fittings; penetrate soft ground to listen for leaks or carry out
traditional acoustic surveys.
Equipment list
- Bmic handheld control unit
- Microphone unit with cable & Tripod Unit
- 2 probe rods
- AC adapter
- Headphones
- Carry bag
- Instruction manual
The Bmic equipment is shown below (note the AC adapter, carry bag and manual are not shown).
Bmic Controls
The picture below shows the location of the rotary control for volume and
sensitivity, LED and the trigger switch plus the Electrical connections for
the headphones / battery charger and microphone.
Using the Bmic
The Bmic is simple to operate. Select either the probe rods or the tripod unit
and screw into the microphone unit. (Use the tripod foot on hard ground and
use the probe rods on soft ground or when accessing water pipe fittings).
Connect the headphones to the connector and connect the microphone cable to
the forward connector. Put on the headphones and press the trigger button o n
t o p o f t he unit to listen for leaks. The volume/sensitivity can be
adjusted using the rotary control.
LED indication
The LED shows green when the unit is operating and red to indicate low battery
power.
Care of the Bmic
The Bmic is rugged and showerproof (to IP65) but contains electronic circuitry
and should be handled with care. It should be kept clean and dry and when
necessary, cleaned with a damp cloth.
The Bmic in use
Battery Warning
The Bmic contains a Nickel Metal Hydride battery which must not be used on any
other equipment if removed. Only batteries supplied by Halma Water Management
must be used as replacements. Do not short circuit or misuse these batteries
as this may result in an explosion or fire.
Battery Replacement
Although the battery is rechargeable it may eventually need to be replaced. To
do this undo the four screws underneath the hand-held unit and separate the
two halves of the Bmic unit. Gently pull out the battery holder and replace
the battery. When refitting the battery and battery holder make sure no wires
become trapped.
Charging the BMIC
Connect the charger lead to the headphone connector of the Bmic and connect
the charger power lead to the universal 110-240V AC supply. The Bmic can then
be charged overnight. An optional accessory is the vehicle cigarette lighter
adapter that can also be used to charge the battery.
- Bmic Operator Guidance: Background information for effective acoustic leak detection
- All acoustic leak detection methods are based on the premise that normal water passage through pipelines takes place noiselessly. When the water passage is disturbed, a noise is created. Causes can include partial pipe blockages, sudden changes in pipe diameter, abrupt changes in pipe direction, pumps or meters installed in the pipeline, consumer usage or pipeline damage. Pipeline damage can include holes, cracks or splits, complete pipeline rupture, leaking joints or leaking valves.
- Careful application of leak detection techniques will enable the operator to eliminate detected noises generated by poor pipeline design or consumer usage and to identify leakage due to pipe system damage.
- The strength and clarity of noise generated by leaks will be affected by the water pressure, the size and shape of the orifice allowing leakage, the type of ground material around the pipeline, the type of ground cover over the pipe, the diameter, wall thickness and material of the pipeline and the quantity of water leaking.
- A small orifice or hole and high-water pressure generally produce a higher frequency noise. Often the noise level increases around valves, pipe elbows, T connections, pipe ends etc. since the partial obstruction increases pressure and creates some further disturbance in the water path.
- Leak noise is transmitted along the pipeline both through the water and the pipe wall as well as into the ground around the pipe. The noise travels much better through “hard” materials so that the noise travels much further along metallic pipes than asbestos cement pipes which themselves are better than plastic pipes. Ground material generally provides a poorer travel path than the
- pipeline itself. Soft sandy ground provides a worse travel path than well compacted ground with a hard paved surface covering.
- The leak noise can change in strength and pitch as it travels along the pipe or through the ground. The deeper the pipe is buried and the softer the ground the more the noise will be dampened.
- The harder the pipe material is, the higher the frequencies detected will be, and the further from the leak the noise will be detected, this makes it harder to accurately find the exact point of maximum noise.
- Background noise can interfere with leak detection. Traffic and machinery noises can travel for considerable distances through both air and ground material and often occur in the same frequency bands as leak noise. Sometimes it is necessary to use leak detection techniques at night when interfering noises are less.
- It is very important to adopt a methodical approach when using any instrument for acoustic leak detection.
- It is necessary to practice good technique in order to distinguish between different sounds, recognizing background or interfering noises, so that they can be eliminated. It is also essential that other (non-leakage) noise sources such as consumer draw-off or partially closed valves are eliminated by logical site inspection practices prior to any excavation taking place.
Hand probe
For normal soft ground surfaces, the single pointed extension rod should be
connected, do not over tighten the screw thread. For direct contact with
underground fittings via access covers it may be necessary to use the second
extension rod. To do assemble this, remove the single rod and connect the
extension rod and re-fit the pointed rod again. If the rods have been over
tightened, spanner slots allow easy removal.
Surveying
The leak location can be narrowed down by listening at accessible contact
points such as meters, hydrants, valves and stop-taps, which provide points of
good sound pick-up particularly if the pipe is metallic. Use the hand-
probe/extension rod to listen at these points.
If there are no accessible contact points or if the pipe is of non-metallic
material use the microphone foot for listening, placing the foot over the pipe
route in the area of the suspected leak. Move along the pipe route listening
at each accessible pipefitting or at regular positions on the ground until you
have identified the area of maximum noise level.
Note: When you are listening on pipefittings the location of the point of maximum noise will probably not indicate the leak position, only the fitting closest to the leak. The noise level will also appear stronger where there is less thickness of ground or other material for it to pass through. The leak noise will follow the path of least resistance.
Pinpointing the leak position
Pinpointing the leak position involves a process of comparing a number of leak
noises. Select the most suitable sensor device, the microphone foot for hard
ground surfaces or the hand probe for soft ground.
Press the trigger to operate the Bmic and adjust the headphone volume control
to a comfortable listening level. Once you have listened to the noise through
the headphones, release the trigger to switch off the amplifier and move the
microphone foot or hand probe to the next test position.
Repeat the sequence to listen to each of the test locations moving along the
pipe route in the direction where signal strength is increasing. If the leak
noise level falls you have passed the leak and should go back and reduce the
distance that you move between measurements. The loudest leak noise will then
indicate the location of the leak bearing in mind the ground conditions
already mentioned.
Technical Specification
- Bmic handheld unit/sensor housing
- Piezoelectric high sensitivity sensor mounted in PC-ABS (polycarbonate) housing
- Single headphone/charger input socket with automatic sensing of device connected
Connectors
Amphenol military specification connectors for microphone and
headphone/charger connections
Charging
Universal 110-240V AC charger with 12V DC output 4-pin Amphenol connectors to
control unit
Charge time: Overnight charge.
Microphone housing
High sensitivity piezo-electric sensor mounted in rubber housing with integral
strain relief Low noise 0.75m cable (detachable)
4-pin Amphenol connection to control unit
Weight: 400g
Hand probe attachment
2 stainless steel extension rods (each 400mm long)
Weight: 150g
Headphones
Lightweight high quality headphones
Impedance: 16 Ohms
4-pin Amphenol connector to control unit
LED
Green = normal operation
Red = low battery power
Optional accessories
High-specification aviation-quality headphones
Car cigarette lighter adapter with 12V DC output
Acoustically shielded ground microphone foot, for use in all weather
conditions
Warranty
All equipment is warranted by HWM to be free from defects in materials and
workmanship for a period of one year (unless otherwise stated) from the date
of shipment to the original customer. This warranty is only valid if the
equipment has been installed and used in the correct manner as described in
this manual.
Repair or replacement (at HWM’s option) will be made without charge provided
the above conditions have been met.
If any problems occur, notify Halma Water Management or its authorized
representative giving full details of the problem, and the model and serial
number of the equipment. You will receive technical advice and/or shipping
instructions depending upon the nature of the problem.
Fluid Conservation Systems 1960 Old Gatesburg Road STE 150
State College, PA 16803 (800)531-5465
fluidconservation.com
MAN-080-0002-A [BMIC Operators Guide – Version 1