Abstract: A system for detecting deposit formation on electrically-conductive materials in liquid and vapor phases includes a test cell for receiving a test liquid, for example. a lubricant, A heater heats the test liquid to generate a vapor phase of the test liquid in the test cell. A support frame supports at least a first set of electrical conductors in the test liquid, liquid phase, and at least a second set of electrical conductors in the vapor phase, each including a live and a neutral electrical conductor. A power source supplies electric current to the live electrical conductors. A sensor detects an electrical property in each set of conductors, which changes in response to formation of an electrically-conductive deposit connecting the first and second conductors in a respective set of conductors. Preferably, the electrical properties are detected by magnetic sensors such as Hall effect or eddy current sensors.

Abstract: A testing device includes a scaffold for supporting conductive wires. The scaffold is placed in housing in which liquid and vapor phases of a fluid are provided, such that a first of the conductive wires extends into the liquid and a second of the conductive wires remains in the vapor throughout a test. The scaffold may include a plurality of lower support members and a plurality of upper wire support members, each of the support members including a plurality of routing supports to wrap a respective one of the test wires around. The device allows measurements to be made contemporaneously for the test wires.

Abstract: A system for detecting deposit formation on electrically-conductive materials in vapor and liquid phases includes a test cell for receiving a test liquid (e.g., a lubricant). A heater heats the test liquid to generate a vapor phase of the test liquid in the test cell. A support frame supports at least a first set of electrical conductors in the test liquid and at least a second set of electrical conductors in the vapor phase, each of the first and second sets of conductors including a live electrical conductor and a neutral electrical conductor. A power source supplies an electric current to each of the live electrical conductors. A sensor component detects an electrical property each of the sets of conductors, the electrical property changing in response to formation of an electrically-conductive deposit which connects the first and second conductors in a respective set of conductors. Preferably, the electrical properties are detected by magnetic sensors, such as Hall effect sensors or eddy current sensors.

Abstract: A testing device includes a scaffold for supporting conductive wires. The scaffold is placed in housing in which liquid and vapor phases of a fluid are provided, such that a first of the conductive wires extends into the liquid and a second of the conductive wires remains in the vapor throughout a test. The scaffold may include a plurality of lower support members and a plurality of upper wire support members, each of the support members including a plurality of routing supports to wrap a respective one of the test wires around. The device allows measurements to be made contemporaneously for the test wires.