The air conditioning and refrigeration assembly and manufacturing process is clearly divided in two steps; the manufacturing of components such as compressors, coils, valves, evaporators, condensers as well as sub-assemblies and the assembly of the final - refrigeration or A/C - systems. Each step requires a different type of leak detection process and technology. For economic, practical and environmental reasons, components, sub-assemblies and assemblies are helium leak tested.

The last step of the manufacturing/tests process consists of pressurizing with refrigerant checking the performance of the final system and leak test it using a refrigerant leak detector.