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Distance-to-Leak Detection: Precision Monitoring for Critical Infrastructure
Precision Protection for Chilled Water Pipes and Server Rooms
In high-stakes environments such as data centres, laboratories, and plant rooms, water leaks along chilled water pipes or HVAC systems aren’t just maintenance issues — they pose serious risks to uptime, safety, and critical equipment.
A Distance to Leak Detection system is essential for preventing potential hazards before they escalate. Unlike traditional sensors that simply trigger a “leak detected” alarm, distance-to-leak technology provides both detection and precise location, enabling teams to respond quickly and confidently.
Implementing advanced Distance to Leak Detection systems enhances leak management by offering actionable insights. Facilities teams can identify not only the presence of water but also the exact point of the leak, improving operational efficiency, safeguarding infrastructure, and supporting proactive maintenance strategies.
Understanding and integrating Distance to Leak Detection technology is now a crucial part of modern facility management — especially in environments where every second counts.
What Is Distance-to-Leak Detection?
Distance to Leak Detection (DLD) represents a major advancement in facility monitoring that enhances safety practices. By continuously analysing a sensing cable for changes in conductivity, DLD systems can calculate the exact point of contact with water — displaying the location in metres on a control unit.
This transforms leak response from guesswork to targeted action, allowing teams to resolve issues before they escalate into downtime or damage. Even small, hidden leaks can waste thousands of litres of water each year, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), driving up both maintenance and energy costs.
Why Precise Leak Location Matters
In chilled water networks, HVAC ducts, and under-floor server room cooling systems, a single undetected leak can result in:
- Equipment outages or electrical short circuits
- Network downtime and data loss
- Corrosion, mould, or structural damage
- Costly repairs and reputational risk
A Distance to Leak Detection approach enables faster, more targeted responses. By pinpointing the exact location of a leak, facilities teams can act immediately, reducing downtime and preventing escalation.
Unlike conventional sensors that only signal a leak, locating the source manually along long cable runs or within concealed installations can waste hours of valuable time. Distance-to-Leak Detection eliminates this uncertainty by providing real-time distance readouts, allowing teams to address the leak directly — no hunting, no delay.
The DLD100 exemplifies effective Distance to Leak Detection, offering precise location monitoring that enhances operational reliability and supports proactive maintenance strategies.
Implementing Distance to Leak Detection not only safeguards infrastructure but also improves overall system performance and resilience.
Meet the DLD100: Locate Leaks with ±1m Accuracy
Distance to Leak Detection technology is essential for maintaining efficient and safe facility operations.
The DLD100 Distance-to-Leak Sensor from CMR Electrical does more than detect water — it pinpoints the exact leak location with ±1 metre accuracy along the sensing cable.
This level of precision reduces response time, minimises downtime, and limits costly damage. Whether monitoring under raised floors, inside HVAC zones, or along complex pipe networks, the DLD100 empowers teams to take a proactive, data-driven approach to leak management.
Beyond operational protection, timely leak detection also supports energy efficiency. By identifying leaks quickly, facilities can prevent excess energy use caused by inefficient cooling or heating, aligning with sustainability goals and reducing operational costs.
How It Works: Advanced Cable-Based Monitoring
The DLD100 uses a high-sensitivity sensing cable (20 m – 100 m lengths) that measures conductivity changes when water contacts the cable.
The system then calculates electrical resistance and signal delay to determine the precise leak distance.
🔧 Key Features at a Glance
- Leak location accuracy: ±1 m over 100 m cable
- Scalable design: Daisy-chain up to 10 units (1,000 m total) via RJ45
- Clear display: Backlit screen shows real-time leak distance
- BMS/PLC ready: Volt-free outputs for seamless integration
- Self-monitoring: Detects cable faults or disconnection
- Compact & efficient: Low-power, small-form factor (125 × 78 × 35 mm)
Designed for Demanding Environments
| Application | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Data centers | Fast leak pinpointing under floors or near cooling lines |
| Plant rooms | Monitors HVAC and mechanical pipework areas |
| Healthcare facilities | Protects sensitive zones (e.g. MRI, labs, sterilization) |
| Commercial kitchens | Detects leaks beneath appliances or in floor voids |
| Crawlspaces & basements | Enables early warning in low-access or high-risk areas |
ASHRAE highlights that chilled water leaks in data-centre cooling systems pose a dual threat — to equipment reliability and to thermal stability — making early detection vital to operational resilience. Source: ASHRAE – Data Center and IT Equipment Cooling
Engineered for Seamless Integration
The DLD100 connects easily to BMS, SCADA, or standalone alarm systems using standard volt-free relay outputs and RJ45 connectors — no proprietary cabling required.
It’s also an ideal upgrade path for legacy systems lacking location-tracking capability.
Each feature is designed to address the realities of modern facilities, from chilled water pipe runs in plant rooms to moisture-sensitive server environments.
DLD100 vs Traditional Leak Sensors
| Capability | Conventional Systems | CMR DLD100 |
|---|---|---|
| Leak location accuracy | Leak detected only | Leak + exact distance (±1m) |
| BMS integration | Limited or custom | Standard volt-free contacts |
| Cable fault monitoring | Usually passive | Real-time fault alerts |
| Expandability | Often fixed-length | Up to 10 chained units (1,000m) |
| Time to locate the leak | Hours | Immediate via display |
| Maintenance complexity | High | Reduced through precise data |
Driving Efficiency and Sustainability
Integrating Distance to Leak Detection into facility systems not only enhances operational efficiency but also promotes sustainability.
By pinpointing leaks instantly, teams can minimise energy waste caused by inefficient cooling or heating processes. This rapid detection reduces water loss, protects equipment, and ensures systems operate at optimal performance.
Implementing Distance to Leak Detection supports broader sustainability goals by lowering resource consumption and helping facilities achieve both environmental and operational efficiency.
Smarter Water Risk Management
Modern facilities need more than simple leak alerts — they require actionable intelligence. The DLD100 Distance-to-Leak Sensor provides precisely that, delivering fast, accurate location data that enables teams to respond quickly, minimise downtime, and protect critical infrastructure.
Implementing Distance to Leak Detection is essential for both new builds and upgrades to legacy systems, giving facility managers the visibility and control needed to prevent water damage before it escalates.
By integrating this technology, organisations can protect uptime, safeguard equipment, and act decisively — ensuring operational resilience across data centres, plant rooms, and other high-stakes environments.