What type of testing uses water to assess the integrity of a system, often involving pressure controls?

Hydro testing, commonly referred to as hydrostatic testing, involves filling a system with water and assessing its integrity by applying pressure. This testing method is crucial for pipelines, tanks, and other pressure vessels where leaks need to be detected before they can be placed into service. The use of water helps ensure that any potential weaknesses or defects in the material can be identified because water is incompressible and can easily highlight any leaks when pressure is applied.

Pressure controls are integral to hydro testing, as they allow operators to maintain specified pressure levels during the test. This capacity to control pressure ensures that the system is evaluated thoroughly under conditions similar to actual operational pressures, ensuring safety and reliability.

The other types of testing mentioned, while related to assessing the integrity of systems, operate under different principles or conditions. Vacuum testing involves creating a vacuum rather than applying pressure, leak testing may not always use water or pressure controls, and hydraulic testing typically refers to systems utilizing liquid under pressure to perform testing, but may not specifically involve the same protocols as hydro testing.