Integritest Exacta Filter Integrity Test Instrument
Operating and Maintenance Manual Troubleshooting 209
EXACTA GROSS LEAK TROUBLESHOOTING PROCEDURE
During an integrity test an assumption is made that the pressure loss occurring on the
upstream side of the housing is due to gas diffusing through the filter membrane. When there
is a pressure drop or gas volume change related to something other than gas diffusing
through the filter it becomes important to isolate the cause. The Exacta will display a “Gross
Leak” error message if the pressure loss is too large. The decision criterion for when this error
message is displayed is included at the end of this procedure. When a “Gross Leak” error
message is displayed it is important to isolate the root cause of the error message. The cause
will be related to one of the following categories listed below. The following sections cover
each of these in turn.
Instrument
Hardware
Filter
Environmental
Instrument
The “Gross Leak” error message could be due to a problem with the Exacta itself. In order to
verify that the instrument is working correctly, check the following:
Verify that the correct test is being run with the appropriate parameters.
Check all pneumatics connections to the Integritest Exacta instrument and make sure all
connections are firmly attached.
Cap off the outlet tubing at the stainless steel disk test adapter.
Run a diffusion test on the disk test adapter. The parameters for an LAGL Optiseal filter may
be used. If there is a leak, the diffusion test will fail and the “Gross Leak” error message will be
displayed. If the unit passes diffusion test ten, a leak in the instrument can be eliminated as a
possible cause for the error message.
Hardware
Leaks between the housing and all elastomeric seals may prevent the housing from
pressurizing or maintaining the test pressure. To verify that this is not the cause of the error
message, check the following.
During installation inspect all hardware sealing surfaces to insure that equipment is clean and
free of any burrs or dents.
Check all seals to verify that the gaskets, o-rings and other elastomeric seals are in good.
Verify that all clamps, valves and connections on the upstream side of the housing are securely
fastened and are sealing properly.
As part of a routine maintenance program o-rings and other elastomeric seals contained in
the housings should be inspected and changed out on a periodic basis.
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