An apparatus for detecting a break in a screen of a vibratory separator includes an infeed section coupled to the housing such that at least a portion of the material passing through the screen and directed from the housing is directed through the infeed section, a detector screening element receiving material from the infeed section, wherein the detector screening element has a plurality of openings having a size equal to or slightly larger than the opening size of the screen in the vibratory separator, and a level sensor positioned above the detector screening element, wherein the level sensor is positioned to detect material build up on the detector screening element. A method for detecting a break in a screen of a vibratory separator includes the steps of directing at least a portion of material that passes through the screen to a detector screening element including a detector screening element having a plurality of openings having a size equal to or slightly larger than the opening size of the screen in the vibratory separator, detecting when the material directed to the detector screening element builds up to a predetermined level and sending a signal in response to the detection of materia! build up to the predetermined level.