
Tinker & Rasor AP/W Holiday Detector
The Model APS is a pulsating DC holiday detector engineered for field and plant applications in corrosion and coating integrity inspections. Leveraging over three years of development and two years of rigorous field testing, the APS integrates regulated voltage output ranging from 800 V to 35,000 V in a single “stick‐type” instrument. Its ergonomic, open‐grip housing accommodates various hand and glove sizes, while a patent‐pending safety cutoff switch ensures immediate shutdown upon trigger release. Built for harsh environments, the APS delivers consistent, reliable performance that aligns with NACE International and ASTM standards, enabling operators to rapidly identify coating defects and pinholes on pipelines, storage tanks, and other coated structures.
Industries of Use
-
Oil & Gas Pipelines: Holiday detection on buried and aboveground pipeline coatings to prevent corrosion under insulation (CUI).
-
Petrochemical & Chemical Processing: Coating integrity checks on storage tanks, vessels, and reactor shells.
-
Water & Wastewater Infrastructure: Inspection of coated piping, penstocks, and pressure vessels.
-
Shipbuilding & Marine Maintenance: Verification of hull plating and coating integrity in corrosive marine environments.
-
Power Generation (Conventional & Nuclear): Assessment of boiler tubes, condensers, and cooling systems for coating defects.
-
Heavy Industrial Fabrication: Quality assurance on welded assemblies, structural steel, and fabricated components.
-
Aerospace & Defense Manufacturing: Pre‐delivery inspection of coated structural surfaces and hydraulic lines.
Features:
1. Integrated High/Low Voltage Ranges: Single‐knob voltage selector spans 800–8,000 V (Low) and 3,500–35,000 V (High), with 100 V resolution for precise adjustments. :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}
2. Patent‐Pending Safety Cutoff Switch: Trigger‐held mechanism instantly de‐energizes output when released—preventing unattended live arcs. :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}
3. Super‐Bright LED & Audible Alerts: High‐intensity LED holiday indicator visible in direct sunlight paired with dual‐level volume control for loud or louder feedback in noisy environments. :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}
4. Ergonomic Open‐Grip Design: Angled handle with full‐circle spring electrode connector accommodates various glove sizes and reduces user fatigue during prolonged scans. :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}
5. Digital Voltmeter Readout: LCD displays voltage in kV (e.g., 0.8 for 800 V, 35.0 for 35,000 V) and retains last setting to eliminate repeat adjustment during on/off cycles.
6. Modular Electrode Compatibility: Interchangeable adapters support wire brush, silicone brush, full‐circle, and “Spy” spring electrodes—streamlining field versatility across coating types and geometries. :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}
Applications:
Product Applications
**1. Pipeline Holiday Survey:** Insulate an onshore pipeline—set APS to 20 kV and traverse weld seams to locate pinholes or voids in fusion‐bonded epoxy coatings. Once a fault is detected, LED flashes and audible tone alert the inspector to immediate repair requirements. :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}
**2. Storage Tank Floor Inspection:** Remove insulation around tank bottom—use Low range (1 kV–8 kV) to map thin coatings, then switch to High range (3.5 kV–35 kV) for thicker, multi‐coat systems. The APS’s ergonomic stick configuration and modular wand facilitate confined‐space scanning. :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}
**3. Ship Hull Integrity Check:** In dry dock, set APS to 15 kV and perform a sweep along hull plating—detect holidays under primer coatings before final topcoat application, ensuring no cathodic protection anomalies post‐launch. :contentReference[oaicite:19]{index=19}
**4. Power Plant Boiler Tube Audit:** Inspect boiler tube bundle coatings through insulation—use 8 kV to find micro‐pinholes, then confirm weld seam integrity at 30 kV to prevent CUI and potential unplanned outages. :contentReference[oaicite:20]{index=20}
**5. Aerospace Structural Coatings Verification:** On a ground‐support structure, use a small full‐circle electrode (up to 8″) at 5 kV for thin film aluminum coatings—guaranteeing compliance before assembly. :contentReference[oaicite:21]{index=21}
**6. Petrochemical Piping Line Check:** For thick insulation and fusion‐bonded epoxy (FBE) on refinery piping, ramp APS to 35 kV and scan flanged sections, ensuring no pinholes through multilayer linings. :contentReference[oaicite:22]{index=22}
**7. Offshore Platform Coating Survey:** During turnaround, inspect steel support members—set APS at 25 kV, use 36″ full‐circle electrode to survey broad cylindrical surfaces, confirming cathodic protection readiness post‐maintenance. :contentReference[oaicite:23]{index=23}
**8. Chemical Storage Vessel Inspection:** On thick‐film vinyl coatings, use APS’s regulated voltage output to detect voids—switching from 8 kV for topcoat screening to 35 kV for substrate layer verification. :contentReference[oaicite:24]{index=24}
**9. Industrial Fabrication QA/QC:** In steel fabrication plants, set APS at 3 kV to detect defects in zinc galvanizing, then verify weld integrity on structural beams at 20 kV—assuring paint adhesion quality. :contentReference[oaicite:25]{index=25}
**10. Water Treatment Facility Coating Checks:** Inspect internal pipe linings through insulation—APS’s Low range (0.8 kV–8 kV) accurately finds pinholes in epoxy‐coated water mains before commissioning. :contentReference[oaicite:26]{index=26}
**11. Heavy Equipment Paint Defect Survey:** At manufacturing yard, set APS to 1.5 kV for thin primer coats on earth‐moving equipment surfaces—detect micro‐holiday defects before final topcoat variations. :contentReference[oaicite:27]{index=27}
Battery Type | Rechargeable dry-cell NiCad pack |
Cable Length | 20 ft (50.8 cm) flexible ground wire |
Carrying Case | Heavy duty 8.5 x 12.25 x 19.75 in (21.59 x 31.12 x 50.17 cm) |
Standard Accessories | Battery charger High voltage wand Ground lead Carrying case and straps |