Leak Noise Correlation
Mathematical calculation of leak position using two sensors placed at known access points along a pipe, measuring sound arrival time differential.
How Leak Noise Correlation Works
Leak noise correlation is the most mathematically precise method for locating leaks on continuous pipe runs. Two or more sensors are placed at accessible points along a pipe—such as hydrants, valves, or exposed stubs—connected to a correlator processor. The processor measures the time delay of the leak sound reaching each sensor and calculates the exact position of the leak along the pipe based on the pipe material, diameter, and sound velocity. This technology eliminates the need to follow a sound gradient and provides distance measurements from known reference points with accuracy typically within 30 cm over 1 km pipe runs.
Applications in BC
- Municipal water main leak location on long pipe runs
- Long underground service line detection
- Transmission main leak surveys
- Fire main and irrigation main line leaks
- Industrial process piping leak detection
Advantages
- Mathematically precise — calculates exact position
- Works on pipe runs exceeding 1 km
- Effective through concrete, asphalt, and deep soil
- Filters out background noise
- GPS-integrated units map locations
Limitations
- Requires two accessible points on the pipe
- Pipe material properties must be known for accuracy
- Less effective on plastic pipes
- Higher equipment cost than basic acoustic
Equipment Used
- • Sewerin Phocus 3 correlator
- • Gutermann SeCorr 08 correlator
- • Echologics Echo correlator
- • Hydreka Hydr'Insight correlator
- • PermaPipe correlator
Professional Leak Noise Correlation in BC
LeakInspections.ca — a division of Anyleak.ca and Leak.ca. Call 604-239-9934.