INFICON SL3000 Helium and Hydrogen Sniffer Leak Detector
About these instructions
These operating instructions describe the construction and maintenance of the sniffer lines:
- SL3000
- SL3000XL
Product names may occur in the document, which are added for identification purposes only and belong to the respective owner of the rights.
Target groups
This instruction manual is intended for operators and technically qualified personnel with experience in leak detection technology and the integration of leak detectors in leak detection systems. In addition, the installation and use of the device require knowledge of electronic interfaces.
Warnings
- DANGER Imminent hazard resulting in death or serious injuries
- WARNING Hazardous situation resulting in potential death or serious injuries
- CAUTION Hazardous situation resulting in minor injuries
- NOTICE Hazardous situation resulting in damage to property or the environment
Safety
Intended use
The SL3000 and SL3000XL sniffer lines are used to locate gas leaks on test specimens in conjunction with the leak detectors:
| SL3000 | SL3000XL |
| Protec P3000 | Protec P3000XL |
| Ecotec E3000 | XL3000flex |
| UL3000 Fab Plus | |
| UL3000 Fab ULTRA | |
| UL6000 Fab |
Incorrect usage
- Use in radioactive areas
- Use of accessories or spare parts, which are not included in this instruction manual
- Use outside the technical specifications, see “Technical Specifications”
- Testing of wet or damp test objects
- Pumping off solids
- Suctioning of liquids into the device
- Operation without an exhaust line on the Gas Detection Unit
- Using the device in potentially explosive atmospheres
- Using the device with detectable defects or defective power switch
Duties of the operator
- Read, observe, and follow the information in this manual and in the work instructions provided by the owner. This concerns in particular the safety and warning instructions.
- Always observe the complete operating instructions for all work.
- If you have any questions about operation or maintenance that are not answered in this manual, contact customer service.
- Owner requirements
The following notes are for companies or any person who is responsible for the safety and effective use of the product by the user, employees or third parties. - Safety-conscious operation
- Operate the device only if it is in perfect technical condition and has no damage.
- Only operate the device properly in accordance with this instruction manual, in a safety and risk conscious manner.
- Adhere to the following regulations and observe their compliance:
Intended use
Universally valid safety and accident prevention regulations International, national and local standards and guidelines Additional device-related provisions and regulations - Only use original parts or parts approved by the manufacturer.
- Keep this instruction manual available on site.
Personnel qualifications - Only instructed personnel should be permitted to work with and on the device.
- The instructed personnel must have received training on the device.
- Make sure that authorized personnel have read and understood the instruction manual and all other applicable documents.
Scope of delivery
| Item | Quantity |
| Sniffer line SL3000 or SL3000XL in ordered version and quantity. See also “Accessories and spare parts [► 21]“. | |
| Operating manual | 1 |
Description
The SL3000 and SL3000XL sniffer lines are used to locate gas leaks on test specimens in conjunction with the leak detectors:
| SL3000 | SL3000XL |
| Protec P3000 | Protec P3000XL |
| Ecotec E3000 | XL3000flex |
| UL3000 Fab Plus | |
| UL3000 Fab ULTRA | |
| UL6000 Fab |
The sniffer lines are available in different lengths and with different sniffer tips, see “Accessories and spare parts [} 21]”.
The sniffer line consists of a multifunction cable, a sniffer handle and a sniffer tip. There are special sniffer lines for robot applications, see “Scope of delivery [} 7]”.
SL3000
The SL3000 sniffer line pinpoints gas leaks on test specimens in conjunction with the leak detectors.
Construction
- WARNING Risk of eye damage
- LEDs on the sniffer handle produce focused light that can damage the eyes. Do not look into the LEDs from a short distance or for longer periods of time.
- CAUTION Danger of blockage due to liquids
- Liquid may destroy the device. Do not draw in any liquids (e.g. water or adhesives).
- The display of the sniffer handle displays part of the information of the main display.

| 1 | Leak rate as bar graph | 4 | “ZERO” push button |
| 2 | Leak rate, numerical | 5 | Push button (individual assignment) |
| 3 | Measured gas |
The leak rate is shown as a bar graph and displayed numerically. The unit of measurement is the same as on the main display of the respective leak detectors used.
There are two push buttons on the sniffer handle. Pressing the left button sets the background display to ZERO. For more information on the functions of these buttons, refer to the operating instructions of the leak detectors used.
The sniffer handle is equipped with LEDs for work in dimly lit places.
Sniffer tip SL3000![]()
| 1 | Sinter filter (bronze Poral filter) | 5 | cone seal | |
| 2 | O ring | 6 | Brass capillary filter | |
| 3 | Stainless steel capillary with adapter | 7 | Metal filter | |
| 4 | Sniffer tip | 8 | Cotton filter | |
| 9 | Replacement plastic capillary filter incl. filter set | 10 | Water conservation tip | |
SL3000XL
The SL3000XL sniffer line pinpoints gas leaks on test specimens in conjunction with the leak detectors.
- WARNING Risk of eye damage
- LEDs on the sniffer handle produce focused light that can damage the eyes. Do not look into the LEDs from a short distance or for longer periods of time.
- CAUTION Danger of blockage due to liquids
- Liquid may destroy the device. Do not draw in any liquids (e.g. water or adhesives).
- The display of the sniffer handle displays part of the information of the main display.

1 Leak rate as bar graph 4 “ZERO” push button 2 Leak rate, numerical 5 Push button (individual assignment) 3 Measured gas
The leak rate is shown as a bar graph and displayed numerically. The unit of measurement is the same as on the main display of the leak detectors used.
There are two push buttons on the sniffer handle. Pressing the left button sets the background display to ZERO. For more information on the functions of these buttons, refer to the operating instructions of the leak detectors used.
The sniffer handle is equipped with LEDs for work in dimly lit places.
Sniffer tip SL3000XL![]()
| 1 | O ring | 5 | Adapter with sniffer tip |
| 2 | Connection adapter | 6 | Union nut |
| 3 | Filter | 7 | Sniffer tip |
| 4 | O ring | 8 | Tip protection |
| 9 | Water conservation tip |
Technical data
| SL3000 | SL3000XL | |
| Gas flow | ||
| for Ecotec E3000 | 160 sccm | |
| for Protec P3000 | 300 sccm | |
| for UL3000 Fab, UL3000 Fab ULTRA, UL6000 Fab | 160 sccm | |
| for Protec P3000XL | 300 sccm / 3000 sccm | |
| for XL3000flex | 300 sccm / 3000 sccm | |
| Good-Bad-Display | Yes | |
| ZERO via button | Yes | Yes |
| Connection on the device | Via separate socket on the device | Via separate socket on the device |
| Display with measurement view | Yes | Yes |
| Acknowledge faults via buttons on the sniffer probe | Yes | Yes |
| SL3000 | SL3000XL | ||
| End standby via a button on the sniffer probe | Yes | Yes | |
| Acknowledge calibration via a button on the sniffer probe | Yes | Yes | |
| Operating voltage | 5V | ||
| Mains frequency | DC voltage | ||
| Power consumption | 20 VA | ||
| Max. height above sea level | 2000 m | ||
| Maximum relative humidity | 80% to 31 °C and 50% above 31 °C | ||
| Max. storage temperature | -20 °C to +60 °C | ||
| Permissible ambient temperature (during operation) | 5 °C to 50 °C | ||
Installation
- For connection to the respective leak detector, the sniffer line is connected to the connection socket provided on the front or rear of the device for this purpose.
- Via this connector, both the electrical connection and the connection of the vacuum system is made.
- The leak detector has an interface for an SL3000 sniffer line. ü The SL3000 sniffer line is available.
- Connect the sniffer line to the leak detector.
- The sniffer line is ready for operation.
Maintenance
Maintenance SL3000
SL3000 Filter kit no. 200004312![]()
| 1 | O-rings (5x) | 4 | Cotton filter (50x) |
| 2 | Sinter filter (bronze poral filter, 5x) | 5 | Needle tip tool |
| 3 | Replacement capillary filters made of plastic (5x) |
Change cotton filters in the sniffer tip![]()
Fig. 1: Sniffer tip SL3000 with cotton filters removed
The cotton filters in the sniffer tip are dirty (brass or plastic capillary filters).
The sniffer tip is not screwed on.
- Carefully remove both cotton beads from the front using the pointed end of the needle tip tool. Note: The metal filter behind it is maintenance-free and must not be damaged or moved out of position by the needle point tool. This would impair the effectiveness of the metal filter. For the position of the metal filter, see also “SL3000 [} 8]”.
- Using the blunt end of the needle tip tool, stuff two clean cotton filters into the capillary filter.
Capillary filter change, different![]()
| 1 | Sniffer tip and replacement capillary filter made of brass, cotton filter already included |
| 2 | Sniffer tip and protection from water tip, cotton filter not required |
| 3 | Sniffer tip and replacement capillary filter made of plastic, cotton filter already included. The cone seal must be removed from the sniffer tip. Use the needle tip tool for this purpose if required. |
Procedure
ü The capillary filter is to be replaced by a brass capillary filter. Or: ü The capillary filter is to be replaced by a plastic capillary filter. Or: ü The capillary filter should be replaced by a water protection tip.
- Unscrew the capillary filter.
- Take the new capillary filter made of brass or plastic or the water protection tip as desired. The necessary filters are already built in.
- If you want to replace a capillary filter made of brass with a capillary filter made of plastic, also remove the cone seal. See also “SL3000 [} 8]”.
- Screw the new capillary filter or the water protection tip hand-tight onto the sniffer tip.
The new sniffer tip can be used again.
Check / replace sinter filter and O-ring![]()
| 1 | Sinter filter (bronze Poral filter) | 3 | Connection adapter |
| 2 | O ring | 4 | Mounting screws (2x) |
- The leak tester is switched off and the sniffer line removed.
- The sniffer tube is removed from the sniffer handle.
- Loosen the two fastening screws.
- Remove the O-ring and the sinter filter.
- Visually inspect the sinter filter and the O-ring for dirt and damage.
If damage or dirt is found, always replace the O-ring and sinter filter in pairs. - Screw the sniffer tube back on to the sniffer handle. ð The sniffer line is ready to be used again.
Maintenance SL3000XL
Overview![]()
| 1 | Filter | 3 | O-ring mount |
| 2 | O ring | 4 | Adapter with sniffer tube |
Assembly![]()
| 1 | O ring | 5 | Adapter with sniffer tip |
| 2 | Connection adapter | 6 | Union nut |
| 3 | Mounting screws | 7 | Tip protection |
| 4 | Filter |
Maintenance plan
| Assembly | Maintenance work SL3000/ SL3000XL | Operating hours/years (intervals are repeated) | Service level | Spare part number | |||
| 500 | 2000 | 10000 | As required | ||||
| 1/4 | 1/2 | 1 | |||||
| Check the sinter | Sinter filter for | 1 | I | 20003 500 | |||
| filter of the sniffer tip | sniffer probe | ||||||
| and replace, if | |||||||
| necessary | |||||||
| Replace the filter | Felt for capillary | 1 | I | 200001116 | |||
| inserts of the | filter | ||||||
| capillary filters and | |||||||
| the water | |||||||
| conservation tip. | |||||||
Explanation of the maintenance plan:
- I Service level I Customer
- II Service level II Customer with technical training
- III Service level III Authorized INFICON service technician
- X Carry out maintenance as per operating hours or duration
- X1 no time limit only operating hours · X2 Carry out maintenance work as per duration
- Depending on environment and use
Decommissioning the measuring instrument
Sending in the device
WARNING Danger due to harmful substances Contaminated devices could endanger the health. The contamination declaration serves to protect all persons who come into contact with the device. Fill in the declaration of contamination completely.
- Please contact the manufacturer and send a completed declaration of contamination before sending anything to us. ð You will then receive a return number.
- Use the original packaging when returning
- Before sending the device, attach a copy of the completed contamination declaration. See below.
Declaration of Contamination![]()
Appendix
Accessories and spare parts
| Sniffer line SL3000 | |
| SL3000-3, sniffer line 3 m length | 525-001 |
| SL3000-5, sniffer line 5 m length | 525-002 |
| Sniffer line SL3000-5, 5 m length, with FTS385XL tip | 521-034 |
| SL3000-10, sniffer line 10 m length | 525-003 |
| SL3000-15, sniffer line 15 m length | 525-004 |
| Sniffer tips for SL3000 | |
| Sniffer tip ST312, 120 mm long, rigid | 12213 |
| Sniffer tip FT312, 120 mm long, flexible | 12214 |
| Sniffer tip ST200, 200 mm long, rigid | 12218 |
| Sniffer tip FT250, 250 mm long, flexible | 12266 |
| Sniffer tip ST385, 385 mm long, rigid | 12215 |
| Sniffer tip FT385, 385 mm long, flexible | 12216 |
| Sniffer tip FT600, 600 mm long, flexible | 12209 |
| Sniffer tip, rigid, 500 mm. 45° angled(ST 500) | 12272 |
| Water conservation tip | 511-025 |
| Spare parts kit (complete) | 200004312 |
| Sniffer line SL3000XL | |
| SL3000XL-3, sniffer line 3m length | 521-011 |
| SL3000XL-5, sniffer line 5m length | 521-012 |
| SL3000XL-10, sniffer line 10m length | 521-013 |
| SL3000XL-15, sniffer line 15m length | 521-014 |
| Sniffer tips for SL3000XL | |
| Sniffer tip ST312XL | 521-018 |
| Sniffer tip FT312XL | 521-019 |
| Sniffer tip ST385XL | 521-020 |
| Sniffer tip FT385XL | 521-021 |
| Sniffer tip FT250XL | 521-022 |
| Sniffer tip FTS312XL | 521-026 |
| Sniffer tip FTS385XL | 521-027 |
CE Declaration of Conformity
| Index | |
| C | |
| Capillary filter change | 15 |
| Change cotton filter | 14 |
| Connection | 13 |
| D | |
| Declaration of Contamination | 19, 20 |
| F | |
| Filter kit | 14 |
| G | |
| Gas flow | 11 |
| I | |
| Incorrect usage | 5 |
| R | |
| Return | 19 |
| S | |
| Sniffer line | 21 |
| Sniffer tips | 21 |
| Spare parts | 21 |



















