Pore testing

Pore Testing

Pore testing (holiday detection) is used to detect defects, holidays and pinholes in coatings. Depending on the application, low-voltage testing with wet sponge or high-voltage spark testing is used – in accordance with ASTM D5162 and NACE SP0188. Test sets include electrodes (spring, brush, ring), test liquid, grounding accessories, voltage calculation based on coating thickness, calibration and digital reporting functions.

Applications & Benefits

Pore testing is used in pipeline and tank construction, steel construction, shipyards, bridges, vessels and industrial coating technology. Correctly executed holiday testing reliably detects even the smallest holidays, prevents corrosion damage and enables audit-proof approvals – both on the construction site and in the laboratory.

Measurement Tasks & Set Configuration

Low-voltage testing: The wetted test sponge is guided over the coated surface; in case of a defect the instrument triggers an acoustic or visual alarm. This method is suitable for thin, non-conductive coatings.

High-voltage testing: The test voltage is calculated based on the coating thickness and set on the instrument. Depending on geometry, spring, brush or ring electrodes are used. Reliable grounding is essential to avoid false readings and unwanted discharges. Key parameters are test speed, electrode width and the wetting quality of the medium.

Documentation: All detected defects are marked, documented photographically and clearly assigned via labels/QR codes. The results can be exported as PDF/CSV reports and stored in an audit-proof way via serial number and user management.

Product Areas & Integration

The portfolio includes low-voltage holiday detectors, high-voltage pore testers (pulsed or DC), spring, brush and ring electrodes, test liquids, grounding cables and clamps as well as calibration and verification sets. In addition, app and cloud solutions with interfaces are available to map test processes digitally. We define scope of testing, standards to be applied and test point plans, and integrate the instruments into QA workflows, photo and report archives and audit processes. Result: transparent pore testing with traceable documentation and compliance with standards.

Benefits at a Glance

• Standards-compliant – ASTM D5162 & NACE SP0188
• Safe & efficient – correct voltage, grounding & electrode selection
• Digital documentation – labels/QR, PDF/CSV & traceability
• Field-ready – robust sets for site, pipeline & tank

Top Manufacturers – Pore Testing

• Elcometer – holiday detectors (low/high), electrodes & reporting.
• DeFelsko – PosiTest LPD/HHD, app/cloud documentation.
• TQC Sheen – pore testers & accessories.
• BYK-Gardner – visual assessment & reference materials.
• Erichsen – test equipment & accessories for coatings.
• Rhopoint – test equipment & visual inspection.
• Neurtek – accessories & laboratory supplies.
• PCE Instruments – instruments & loggers.
• Testo – climate/ΔT for stable test conditions.
• Rotronic – climate/humidity monitoring.
• Extech – field/electrical measuring instruments.
• OMEGA – sensors, probes & data acquisition.
• Phoenix Instrument – laboratory/test equipment.
• Grant – temperature/data loggers.
• KSJ – portable inspection instruments.
• 3M – marking/label systems & PPE.
• SIS Verlag – standards/guidelines & training materials.
• SATA – accessories for compressed air.
• beschicht. – QA templates, QR/label sets & customer-specific kits.

Go directly to pore testing – or to consulting & instrument configuration.