One detector for the whole life of the system — charged, or not charged yet.
The DXR-240 locates leaks in refrigeration and HVAC systems already running a refrigerant charge, and locates leaks in systems before they’re ever charged, using 5%H2/95%N2 non-combustible tracer gas. It’s the same tracer method as a helium leak detector, at roughly a fourth to a fifth of the tracer gas cost — one tool covering every system condition you’ll run into.
Every other refrigerant detector does one job.
Refrigerant-only sniffers are only useful once a system is already charged. Helium tracer-gas detectors solve the pre-charge problem, but at a steep gas cost. The DXR-240 covers both, without either drawback.
| Refrigerant-only detector | Helium tracer detector | DXR-240 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detects refrigerant gas (HFC / HFO / HC) | Yes | No | Yes |
| Detects H2/N2 tracer gas | No | No (uses helium) | Yes |
| Works on new, uncharged systems | No | Yes | Yes |
| Works on evacuated systems mid-repair | No | Yes | Yes |
| Reclaim required before repair | Yes — refrigerant reclaim | No | No |
| Tracer gas cost vs. H2/N2 | — | 4–5x higher | Baseline |
| Units needed to cover both job types | 2 | 2 | 1 |
Helium tracer-gas cost comparison based on typical per-fill pricing for 5%H2/95%N2 versus pure helium.
Built for every system condition, not just a full charge
Some of the most common leak-check jobs happen when there’s no refrigerant to detect in the first place.
Refrigerant already in the line
Detect HFC, HFO, and HC refrigerants directly, down to 1 g/yr, on any system already running a charge.
Nothing charged yet
Pressurize new piping with H2/N2 tracer gas and leak-check before a single ounce of refrigerant goes in.
Mid-repair, refrigerant removed
Once refrigerant is recovered for a repair, switch to tracer gas and keep testing without waiting on a recharge.
Tracer gas skips a step refrigerant can’t skip
Refrigerant is regulated and has to be recovered before you can safely open a system to repair a leak. The 5%H2/95%N2 mixture doesn’t carry that requirement.
Refrigerant gas workflow
H2/N2 tracer workflow
Why H2/N2 tracer gas is the smarter choice
It isn’t just a workaround for empty systems — it’s also a straight replacement for helium leak detection, at a fraction of the tracer gas cost, with none of the reclaim burden refrigerant carries.
Where technicians put it to work
Technical specifications
From the manufacturer datasheet. Full detail in the downloadable PDF.
| Detected gases | HFO, HFC, HC, R290, R600, and 5%H2/95%N2 tracer gas |
| Sensitivity | 1 g/yr min. for HFC and HFO; 1 g/yr min. for R600 and R290; 1×10⁻⁵ cc/s min. for H2/N2 tracer mixture (≈1 g/yr refrigerant equivalent) |
| Detection method | Suction-flow probe with fast response and degassing; 30 cm flexible probe with steel shape memory |
| Detection cell | Interchangeable — universal cell (refrigerant + H2/N2) or selective cell (H2/N2 only) |
| Warm-up / response time | ~60 seconds cell heating; ~1 second response |
| Calibration | Automatic calibration and zeroing to ambient; 3 sensitivity presets (HI / MED / LO); selectable gas family (HFC, HFO, HC, H2/N2) |
| Display | OLED graphic display; progressive graphic ramp with rising sound signal; battery level and ambient contamination indication |
| Housing | Shockproof plastic case, 0.350 kg |
| Power supply | Built-in rechargeable battery, ~8 hr autonomy; USB-C, full charge in ~12 hours |
| Operating conditions | 10–40°C, worksite and maintenance use. Non-explosion-proof — never use in a hazardous or explosive atmosphere |
| Included | Transport case, mains charger, user manual |
| Maintenance | Wear parts (detection cell, flexible probe) are directly interchangeable; support and spares provided by manufacturer SAPRE |
| Made in | France |
One tool, more jobs you can take on
Tracer-gas capability opens up work a refrigerant-only sniffer has to turn down.
- Take on commissioning jobs — leak-check new installs before any refrigerant is ever charged.
- Cut callback visits — higher sensitivity catches leaks a soap test or basic sniffer misses.
- Sell tightness testing as its own service — a premium line most shops can’t offer.
- Stand apart from single-mode competitors — one detector for the whole job, not two tools in the truck.
Get the full DXR-240 spec sheet
Detected gases, sensitivity by refrigerant type, and field specifications in one PDF.