capacitive sensor for leakage detection

[jeenanrex]

capacitive sensors can be used to detect corrosion or leak. with one end of the capacitor open the dielectric material is exposed to the pipe. if any leakage occurs the liquid will change the capacitance of the capacitor and hence the flaw can be detected. but, of course, the dielectric should be porous. any idea of such dielectric material?

also, i would like to know of any potential flaw in this method of leak detection from you guyz.

 

[panic mode]

i think this would be usefull if you know where the leak would occur and dripping fluid would be detected by sensor. however this is very impractical. embeding sensor into volume of monitored fluid would be even worse because few escapd drops would affect volume only very slighly and it would require positioning of the sensor at the place where tis could be detected. what are you trying to do?
detect leak?
of what material?
in what system? (complex piping or geometrically simple body such as cylinder)
what is the pressure of the system? (this could be a good way to detect leaks) but again - it depends on what are you trying to do...
what is the temperature of the system or are there any other restrictions (corosive, toxic,...)

 

[plot]

Never seen a leaking capacitor where fluid actually drops from it, looks more like corrosion on the canister instead.

check out www.badcaps.net , and read up on where badcaps come from... it's an EXTREMELY interesting read. It involves some high level corperate espionage basically.