Abstract:The principle of electrical leak detection method in double-lined landfills was studied. A detection model was established. In this model, the current flowing through a leak and the source current were regarded as two point source currents. The potential distribution equation was deduced. The thinner the detecting layer was, the more obvious the potential anomaly around the leak was, the easier the leak was detected; the vertical position of the detection electrodes hardly affected the potential distribution when the detection layer thickness was limited. Experiments validated this model.