During a timed pressure drop test, if a pressure increase is detected due to thermal expansion, what should be done?

In a timed pressure drop test, the goal is to measure how quickly pressure decreases within a system, typically to assess for leaks or integrity issues. When a pressure increase is detected during the test, especially attributed to thermal expansion, it indicates that external factors are influencing the measurements.

Repeating the test after noting the pressure increase can help ensure that the results reflect the actual performance of the system without interference from thermal effects. This is critical because consistent and repeatable testing conditions are necessary to obtain reliable results.

Adjusting the regulator might not directly address the thermal expansion issue, as it could lead to further inconsistencies in readings. Similarly, ignoring the reading may overlook significant factors affecting system performance, while simply recording the increase without taking further action would not validate the integrity of the test results. Therefore, conducting the test again after identifying and understanding the influence of thermal expansion will yield more accurate and trustworthy outcomes.