Ensuring the correct gas fill rate in double glazed insulating glass units is essential for consistent product quality and compliance with industry standards. Yet, many questions arise when selecting and using measurement equipment in daily production.
The Sparklike Handheld NOVA is developed to provide a fast, reliable, and non-destructive way to verify argon concentration directly from sealed units. Built on proven spark emission spectroscopy technology, it delivers results in approximately two seconds while supporting efficient workflows in factory environments.
As the next generation of Sparklike handheld devices, NOVA introduces improved usability, enhanced data handling, and optional traceability features, all designed to support modern insulating glass production processes.
In the following FAQ, we answer the most common questions about Handheld NOVA™, including its technology, applications, compatibility with different glass structures, and how it integrates into quality control routines.
What is new in Sparklike Handheld NOVA™ compared to Handheld 3.0?
Answer:
Sparklike Handheld NOVA™ is an updated generation of the Handheld device. While the measurement technology and measurement time remain the same, NOVA introduces an updated design and improved functionalities that support more efficient daily production use, including enhanced usability and expanded data handling options.
Read From Gasglass to Handheld NOVA™: Over 20 Years of Non-Destructive Gas Measurement Evolution
Does Handheld NOVA™ use the same measurement technology as Handheld 3.0?
Answer:
Yes. Handheld NOVA™ uses the same spark emission spectroscopy technology as previous Handheld generations. This ensures reliable, non-destructive argon measurement in sealed insulating glass units, with measurement results available in approximately 2 seconds.
Read more about spark emission spectroscopy technology.
Where is Sparklike Handheld NOVA™ typically used?
Answer:
Handheld NOVA™ is primarily designed for use in factories, supporting quality control at different stages of the insulating glass production process.
Sparklike does not recommend using the Handheld device in direct sunlight, as strong ambient light can interfere with measurement accuracy. However, it has been successfully used in some cases for measuring installed windows. As a rule of thumb, accurate results depend on knowing the glass structure being measured.
What types of insulating glass units can Handheld NOVA™ measure?
Answer:
Handheld NOVA™ is designed for double glazed insulating glass units filled with argon. Measurement range is between 50 – 100 %.
The device measures gas concentration non-destructively through the glass.
Can Handheld NOVA™ be used on coated or laminated glass?
Answer:
Sparklike Handheld NOVA™ can measure certain coated and laminated double glazed insulating glass units, but there are limitations depending on the glass structure.
Low-E coatings:
Yes. Handheld NOVA™ can measure double glazed insulating glass units with one Low-E coating, provided the other pane is clear glass. The measurement must always be taken through the clear side, as Low-E coatings reflect the light emission used in spark emission spectroscopy.
Laminated glass:
Handheld NOVA™ can measure through thin laminated glass under specific conditions:
- Typically one or two interlayers of 0.38 mm each (e.g. 3+3 mm or 4+4 mm glass)
- Higher gas fill rates improve spark penetration (Measurement range: 50 – 100 %).
- Measurement should be taken close to the spacer for best accuracy
- The spark must be visible during measurement
Laminated units with multiple interlayers or excessive thickness may not produce reliable results.
For insulating glass units with multiple coatings, complex laminations, or triple glazing, Sparklike recommends using a Sparklike Laser device, which measures through coatings and laminations using laser (TDLAS) technology.
What gases can Sparklike Handheld NOVA™ measure?
Answer:
Handheld NOVA™ measures argon as standard. Krypton measurement is available as an optional configuration.
Please note that the gas type cannot be changed later, as the measurement configuration is defined during production. Customers should confirm their preferred gas type when ordering the device.
How fast is the measurement process?
Answer:
A single measurement takes approximately 2 seconds. The device provides immediate results, supporting efficient quality control without slowing down production.
How is Handheld NOVA™ used in practice?
Answer:
The user places the device against the glass surface, initiates the measurement, and receives the gas concentration result directly on the device.
Can Handheld NOVA™ store or transfer measurement results?
Answer:
Yes. Handheld NOVA™ stores measurement results and supports wireless data transfer to Sparklike’s web-based software. Results can also be linked to individual insulating glass units using optional QR-code-based traceability.
Note: Does not operate as a network-connected IP device.
Is Handheld NOVA™ suitable for factory and on-site use?
Answer:
Yes. Handheld NOVA™ is a handheld, battery-operated device designed primarily for production environments, but it can also be used for on-site inspections.
Please note that direct sunlight can interfere with measurement accuracy. Accurate on-site results depend on knowing the glass structure being measured.
What level of accuracy can I expect?
Answer:
Handheld NOVA™ uses spark emission spectroscopy compliant with ASTM E2649-20. The technology enables repeatable and reliable determination of argon concentration in sealed insulating glass units.
Independent testing performed by ift Rosenheim for Sparklike Handheld 3.0, which uses the same spark emission spectroscopy technology, demonstrated an average deviation of ±1.0% compared to gas chromatography. Download the ift Rosenheim report for Handheld 3.0.
Is Handheld NOVA™ suitable for existing Handheld 3.0 users?
Answer:
Yes. Handheld NOVA™ is designed as the next generation of Sparklike Handheld. The updated design and improved functionalities make it suitable for users who want enhanced usability and workflow support in daily production and quality control.
Can Handheld NOVA™ be used in the same applications as Handheld 3.0?
Answer:
Yes. Handheld NOVA™ is intended for the same core applications as previous Handheld devices, including production quality control, routine inspections, and on-site measurement of double glazed insulating glass units.
Does Handheld NOVA™ support unit-level traceability?
Answer:
Yes. Handheld NOVA™ supports optional unit-level traceability by linking measurement results to individual insulating glass units via QR codes and supported barcode formats.
Is Handheld NOVA™ battery-operated?
Answer:
Yes. Handheld NOVA™ is a handheld, battery-operated device designed for use in production environments and on-site inspections without the need for external power.
How long does the Handheld NOVA™ battery last?
Answer:
Handheld NOVA™ battery last approximately 16 hours.
Will Handheld 3.0 and previous models still be supported?
Answer:
Yes. Sparklike continues to support existing Handheld devices according to its standard service and support policies. Customers using Handheld 3.0 can continue normal operation and maintenance like Sparklike Handheld 2.0.
Customers will be informed if their Sparklike device maintenance or calibration ends.
Do I need new training to use Handheld NOVA™?
Answer:
Handheld NOVA™ is designed for intuitive use. Both new and existing Handheld users can start using NOVA quickly.
Can Handheld NOVA™ measure krypton?
Answer:
Yes. Krypton measurement is available as an optional feature, depending on the device configuration.
