A detection
system (S) for detecting water-based leaks, i.e., conductive liquids, which is installable on an element (E) to be monitored in a
plant, comprises a detection device (20) and at least one sensor cable (40) to be positioned on said element (E) to be monitored. There are signaling elements (50, 52, 60) which are used to
signal possible leaks detected by the sensor cable (40). The device (20) comprises a power and connection connector (70) for powering the detection device (20) and the signaling elements (50, 52, 60) also adapted to allow the communication of the detection device (20) with an operating
control room and / or supervision systems. The sensor cable (40) comprises a sensing part (42) and a non-sensing part (41), and the sensing part (42) of the sensor cable (40) comprises a central portion (CC) made of conductive material and an outer protective sheath (G) which is electrically insulating and permeable to water and to water-based liquids. The detection device (20) comprises a
processing unit (21) adapted to receive the signals generated by the sensor cable (40), to process them and to decide, based on calibration parameters and based on thresholds defined by the sensitivity set for the detection device (20), whether a leak has been detected or not through detecting a variation in the resistance of the sensor cable (40) due to the presence of water-based liquids on said sensing part (42), and if so, the
processing unit (21) is adapted to activate the signaling elements (50, 52, 60) and the communication elements (70) communicating with the
control room and / or the supervision systems for requesting maintenance on the monitored element (E).