If a technician suspects that refrigerant is leaking into the water circuit of a water-cooled condenser, what tool should they use to confirm their suspicion?

An electronic leak detector is specifically designed to identify and locate leaks of refrigerants. When a technician suspects that refrigerant is leaking into the water circuit of a water-cooled condenser, using an electronic leak detector allows them to accurately pick up on and confirm the presence of refrigerant gas, even in very small amounts. These tools are sensitive to the chemical properties of refrigerants, enabling technicians to pinpoint the location of the leak, which is crucial for taking proper remedial action.

Other tools, while useful in various situations, do not serve this specific purpose. A pressure gauge might provide some information on system conditions but would not indicate a leak in the water circuit. A manifold gauge can help monitor and assess refrigerant pressures but again lacks the capability to detect gas leaks directly. A vacuum pump is primarily used for evacuating or pulling a vacuum on the system and does not offer any functionality for detecting leaks. Therefore, an electronic leak detector is the most appropriate tool to confirm a suspected refrigerant leak in this context.