Sparklike

The handheld device is not designed to work with laminated glass. Laminates aren’t all built using the same glass types/substrates and aren’t all the same thickness. Because of that variability, it’s possible it would work with a few as an exception, but it generally will not work with most.

It is recommended to have your device calibrated yearly to maintain accurate readings. GED offers Sparklike Handheld™ calibration service at the GED Sparklike Calibration Lab. Submit a calibration form here. Contact the GED Sparklike Calibration Lab at 440-600-8534 or sparklike@gedusa.com. 

Handheld device cannot be used in the field.

If you have same coating in both glasses, then the spark will not go through the unit. In any case, if you have Handhelds, you can simply try to see if the spark goes through the unit. If the spark goes though, everything should be fine, and if the spark spreads to the surface, then it doesn’t work.

The Sparklike YouTube channel contains many helpful how-to videos for all Sparklike IGU measuring devices. Here are the links to simple Handheld instructional videos:
https://youtu.be/S71WkiROBAU https://youtu.be/fA2CODzr9xQ

There are validations related to certainty of measurements, but no such criteria has been developed yet by Sparklike. The calibration report does not list the calculated measurement of uncertainty. Having the annual calibration service performed on your Handheld device gives a tolerance of +/- 2%.

An Argon / Krypton device is different in firmware than an Argon only device. So, an Argon only device is not convertible to Argon/Krypton. We currently offer calibration of Argon-only devices at GED. Argon/Krypton devices still need to be sent to Finland. A brand–new device ships calibrated already for the first year. For future calibrations, we can covert an Argon / Krypton device into an Argon only device, so that we’re able to calibrate it at GED. It can be restored to Argon/Krypton in the next calibration, if it’s decided you want to test Krypton again.

This software is free and downloadable from the Sparklike website. 

The Laser Portable 2.1 uses a different technology than the Handheld.
The Handheld uses Spark Emission Spectroscopy (SES) to determine the gas levels. The instrument looks at the intensity and the color of the spark to make its measurements. Background lighting can be detrimental to the operation of the Handheld. Different algorithms are used for argon and krypton measurements. The ability to measure krypton is an option and is not normally included with most Handhelds.
The Laser Portable 2.1 uses Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (TDLAS) to determine the gas content. By measuring the amount of the laser signal that is absorbed by the oxygen within the IG unit, the instrument calculates the gas content. The Laser Portable does not determine the type of gas within the unit. It cannot determine whether the insulating gas is argon, krypton, or a mixture. The Laser Portable also measures the configuration of the unit and supplies the dimensions of the glass, cavity thickness and overall unit thickness.

The tolerance of the Laser Portable is much better than the Handheld. The readings are within +/- 1% to levels as low as 1%. The accuracy does not decrease with lower gas levels as does the Handheld.

Sparklike devices are built to last for many years of services. In fact, GED calibrates and maintains devices today that are sometimes up to 8 to 10 years old. As with any other products, careful handling and annual maintenance/calibration of the device prolongs the device(s) usability. There isn’t a specific number of years to expect as the life of a Sparklike device because that is mostly affected by how the device is used on daily basis, but a general recommendation is 8 to 10 years.

Sparklike devices are quantitative tools that measure noble gases concentrations in insulating glass. The correlation of the measurement to a pass/fail criterion is entirely left to the user to conclude and cannot be made on the user’s behalf.
Sparklike devices can be used to determine a noble gas (Argon/Krypton, etc.) concentration as a percentage. Successive measurements taken from the same subject IG can quantify gas loss percentage. If rapid loss of gas is detected, it would mean the hermitic seal of the insulating glass unit has been breached either temporarily or permanently. Insulating glass units have an expected gas loss through permeability that is around 0-1-2% per year. Insulating glass units go through what is known as burst losses, that is when the environmental conditions surrounding the IG forces the gas to vent through the seal, and the seal would then reclose preventing further gas from escaping.

There is no MSDS sheet readily available for the Sparklike products. The only hazardous material contained in the devices is Li-Ion batteries (LP2.0 has 96Wh capacity and Handhelds have 29Wh capacity).

The same as with any IG unit: we must get in with the laser and out with the reflection. This is a bit tricky as it depends on the bending radius. Based on my experience R6000mm and bigger radii (i.e., flatter) should be possible. Anything exact must be tested.

An extra Argon tank is only necessary for non-manufacturers or those wishing to take measurements away from the manufacturing area. 21″ tall and 7″ diameter UN1006 ARGON, COMPRESSED 2.2 ARGON UHP GR 5.0 SIZE 35 DGA 580. Most manufacturing customers will not need an extra argon tank. They can use the supply of argon that they use to fill their IG units.

We recommend charging the Handheld once it drops below 14 V.  The low battery message will show up once it goes below 13 V.

If your device is a Handheld Argon only, it will need to be shipped to GED, Glenwillow, OH. Our calibration lab in the US is capable of calibrating the Handheld Argon devices. Please contact our calibration lab at 440-600-8534 or email Sparklike@gedusa.com. 
 
If your device is a Handheld Argon/Krypton or Laser Portable 2.0 or 2.1, it will need to be shipped to Finland for the calibration service. Please fill in the information at this link before shipping your device: https://sparklike.com/en/order-calibration/. 
 
For more information, read our blog on calibration services and locations by clicking here.