DURRIDGE RAD7 User Manual
  1. Manuals
  2. Brands
  3. DURRIDGE Manuals
  4. Measuring Instruments
  5. RAD7
  6. User manual

DURRIDGE RAD7 User Manual

Radon detector
Hide thumbs Also See for RAD7:
Table of Contents

Advertisement

Quick Links

Download this manual
RAD7 RADON DETECTOR
User Manual
Owner__________________________
Serial #______________
SERVICE RECORD
Date
Service
It is recommended that the unit be returned to DURRIDGE Company annually, for recalibration.
DURRIDGE Company Inc.
524 Boston Rd
Billerica, MA 01821
Tel: (978)-667-9556
Fax: (978)-667-9557
service@durridge.com
Revision 7.4.0. © 2015 DURRIDGE Company
www.durridge.com
1

Advertisement

Table of Contents
loading
Need help?

Need help?

Do you have a question about the RAD7 and is the answer not in the manual?

Questions and answers

Related Manuals for DURRIDGE RAD7

Summary of Contents for DURRIDGE RAD7

  • Page 1 RAD7 RADON DETECTOR User Manual Owner__________________________ Serial #______________ SERVICE RECORD Date Service It is recommended that the unit be returned to DURRIDGE Company annually, for recalibration. DURRIDGE Company Inc. 524 Boston Rd Billerica, MA 01821 Tel: (978)-667-9556 Fax: (978)-667-9557 service@durridge.com Revision 7.4.0.
  • Page 2 WARNING Opening the cover of this instrument is likely to expose dangerous voltages. Disconnect the instrument from all voltage sources while it is being opened. Due to battery power, the instrument may still be dangerous. Using this instrument in a manner not specified by the manufacturer may impair the protection provided by the instrument.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ....................GETTING STARTED: ................YOUR FIRST DAY WITH THE RAD7 Unpacking ..................... RAD7 Packing List ! General Safety Instructions ................1.2.1 Air Travel ..........................Taking a Look ....................The RAD7 Professional Electronic Radon Detector! Starting a Two-day Test ................
  • Page 4 Special Serial ......................... 2.5.15 Special Beep ........................... 2.5.16 Special Relays ........................Infrared Printer ....................Alpha Energy Spectrum! BASICS OF RAD7 TECHNOLOGY: ..........HOW IT WORKS Introduction ....................Radon Decay Chain ..................Radon and Thoron decay chains! 3.2.1 Radon-222 (Radon) ........................
  • Page 5 Other Alpha Emitters ......................3.11.7 Beta and Gamma Emitters ..................... 3.12 Precision & Accuracy ................... 3.12.1 Dry operation ......................... Table: 3.12 Typical RAD7 precision based on counting statistics only.! 3.12.2 Humidity Correction ......................3.12.3 Concentration Uncertainties ....................3.13 Spectrum Examples ..................3.13.1 Operational Radon Spectra ....................
  • Page 6 ................4.5.8 Internal Cell Thoron Sensitivity Calibration ................. 4.5.9 Setting up a Thoron Measurement ..................4.5.10 Thoron Mode .......................... Recommended RAD7 Thoron Configuration! Managing Background .................. Airflow Rate Limits ..................4.7.1 Maximum Airflow Rate ......................4.7.2 Minimum Airflow Rate ......................
  • Page 7 PC Connectivity Basics ................6.1.1 Connecting the RAD7 to the Computer .................. Connecting the RAD7 to a computer using the StarTech USB to Serial Adaptor! Connecting the RAD7 to a computer using the KeySpan USB to Serial Adaptor! CAPTURE Software ..................6.2.1 CAPTURE Installation ......................
  • Page 8 Filters ............................. 7.1.6 Batteries ..........................7.1.7 Real-time Clock and Non-volatile Memory ................7.1.8 Printer and Adapter ....................... Operating ranges ................... Table 7.2 RAD7 Operating Ranges! Service and Repair ..................7.3.1 Calibration ..........................7.3.2 Repair ............................. 7.3.3 Shipping ..........................7.3.4 Upgrades ..........................
  • Page 9 Paper Installation ........................A1.3.3 Cleaning the Printer ......................A1.3.4 Cleaning the Print Head ......................A1.4 Infrared Printer Specifications ..............Table A1.4 Infrared Printer Specifications! Appendix 2: RAD7 Specifications ............... Table A2.1 Functional Specifications! Table A2.2 Technical Specifications! Table A2.3 Physical Specifications!

  • Page 10: Introduction

    While you can start to make good measurements on the first day of ownership of the RAD7, it can take years to master the subtleties of radon and thoron behavior, and to appreciate the full capabilities of the instrument.

  • Page 11: Getting Started

    Chapter 1 Getting Started GETTING STARTED: YOUR FIRST DAY WITH THE RAD7 Unpacking First make sure you have everything you are enclosed with the shipment. If anything is supposed to have. Take the materials out of the missing, please email DURRIDGE immediately packing boxes and see if you have all the items or call us at (978) 667-9556.

  • Page 12: General Safety Instructions

    Allowing the dry air from the RAD7 outlet to exhaust into the interior Do not open or attempt to repair the machine. of the bag will keep the RAD7 in a clean and dry The detector has an internal high voltage supply environment.

  • Page 13: Air Travel

    Air Travel RAD7 documentation. A copy of that should be carried and presented when requested, when The RAD7 is safe to take on an airplane either as traveling with a RAD7 by air. carry-on or checked baggage. It is probably easiest, and least likely to cause problems, if it is put inside a suitcase, with clothes, and checked in.

  • Page 14: Starting A Two-Day Test

    ⅛” ID segment at the other and the from the screw cap. printer. c) Attach the filter to the Inlet port of the RAD7. On first starting up, you may need to set the clock The air sampling system is now set up for the for your time zone (See Setup Clock, Chapter measurement.
  • Page 15 Medium and Long format settings print more information each cycle. If you allow the RAD7 to complete a run, it will print out a summary of the entire run, including: 1. Date and time 2.

  • Page 16: Starting A Sniff Test

    You will need the same equipment as for the 2- c) Attach the filter to the Inlet port of the RAD7. day test, above, except that a small drying tube Make sure it is firmly fit onto the inlet. The air...
  • Page 17 Push . You should [MENU] [ENTER] ➔ ms), so the response of the RAD7 to thoron is see on the LCD display: >Test Start virtually instantaneous. For thoron, the first 5- n) Push . The pump will start running.

  • Page 18: Basics Of Rad7 Operation

    . The enter key [ENTER] = 30 minutes) which counts down to zero when tells the RAD7 that you have made your selection. the detector is Live (i.e., a test is in progress). You are telling it what you want it to do.

  • Page 19: Quick Save-And-Restart

    B, C, D, etc. ➔ or less, by using the desiccant. The RAD7 records 8 windows (A - H) every time Bottom left is the battery voltage. This should you make a measurement. They separate counts range from about 6.00V to 7.10V. A discharged due to daughters of radon and thoron, and the battery (less than 6.00 ) should be recharged as...

  • Page 20: Test Start And Test Stop

    Save >Test Clear will terminate the suspended test, store it to In order to dry out the RAD7 without using up memory (Save) or wipe it out (Clear), and clear much desiccant, connect the hoses from the the counters to begin a new run.

  • Page 21: Test Lock

    0000 to then the readings will continue as normal, with signify that the cycle is not completed. the RAD7 recording all the data, until the end of the run. Data Switching the unit off, while locked, will stop the...

  • Page 22: Data Print

    0501! 2.69 " 2.83! Sniff 21-MAY-99 19:41 If no data are available to print, the RAD7 will 26.8 EC RH: 7% B:7.06V beep and display No tests stored Line 1 is the run/cycle number, the radon...

  • Page 23: Data Summary

    RAD7, may be used. See Chapter 6 for more details on data 910 cycles free. communication. The RAD7 can store up to 999 cycles of data. As 2.3.4 Data Summary the memory fills with data, the Data Free indicator decreases.

  • Page 24: Data Renumber

    Setup Cycle Setup How long a test do you want, and how often do you want the RAD7 to take a reading (a cycle)? The Setup group of commands configures the A typical radon test is made up of many cycles.

  • Page 25: Setup Recycle

    How long a test do you want, and how often do statistical precision by counting both you want the RAD7 to take a reading (a cycle)? polonium-218 and polonium-214 alpha peaks. You determine the length of your test by choosing both the length and number of cycles.

  • Page 26: Setup Pump

    In the Geiger Off. setting, anyone will recognize a radon "gusher" by the rapid-fire chirping the RAD7 produces. Auto means that the RAD7 switches the pump on and off according to a predetermined pattern that 2.4.8 Setup Format allows for sufficient sampling of air while conserving battery charge and pump wear.

  • Page 27: Setup Units

    User protocol according to the present Setup Dates are listed with the day of the month first, parameters. You must answer Yes, and push then the month, then the year. As with the RAD7 [ENTER] , to confirm that you wish to change the clock, the date is set by using the arrow keys to User protocol.

  • Page 28: Setup Review

    "Special SPrOff" command. check that the instrument is set up properly, and When you turn off the RAD7 and turn it on again, confirm this, in hard copy, right on the data it always restores output to the infrared printer.

  • Page 29: Special Comspec

    Special ComAll Infrared Printer (Version 0244/940221 or later) - Output complete set of RAD7 test data (up to 1000 readings) to the The RAD7 uses an infrared link to print to the serial port in comma delimited format. supplied printer. Note that all references to the RAD7 printer in this manual apply to the 2.5.10 Special SPrAll...

  • Page 30: Alpha Energy Spectrum

    Chapter 2 Basics of RAD7 Operation Mode: Auto Where the lifetime is the actual time spent waiting Thoron: Off for an event, slightly less than the elapsed time. Pump: Auto The windows, A, B, C, D, and all the rest, O,...

  • Page 31: Basics Of Rad7 Technology

    RAD7. It is not necessary to master the underlying physics to become A decay chain is a series of distinct proficient in the use of the instrument, but some transformations.

  • Page 32: Radon And Thoron Decay Chains

    Chapter 3 Basics of RAD7 Technology Radon and Thoron decay chains...

  • Page 33: Radon-222 (Radon)

    Polonium-210 has a half-life of 138 days and beta particles, or gamma rays, or combinations of decays with a 5.30 MeV alpha particle to these. The RAD7 was designed to detect alpha Lead-206, which is stable. The 5.30 MeV alpha particles only, so we will emphasize alpha particle from Polonium-210 creates unwanted radiation .

  • Page 34: Sniffers

    Very few instruments Unique to the RAD7 is the ability to sniff for other than the RAD7 are able to do this. thoron. Polonium-216 has a 150 ms half life, so the instrument response is virtually instantaneous.

  • Page 35: Rad7 Solid-State Detector

    In calibration, the RAD7 is exposed to a known concentration of radon (or thoron) and the count The RAD7 's internal sample cell is a 0.7 liter rates are measured. Your radon calibration hemisphere, coated on the inside with an certificate gives the two radon sensitivities.

  • Page 36: Rad7 Spectrum

    DURRIDGE CAPTURE software in CAPTURE, force the graph to display the can perform additional calculations and data as if the RAD7 stayed in Sniff mode corrections: throughout the measurement, and thus see the rapid changes with a measurement time a.

  • Page 37: Windows

    A or B or C or D, the RAD7 is The alpha peaks may appear the same, but the probably not working properly.

  • Page 38: Isotope Equilibrium

    C. We call window C the of radon-222 within the RAD7 sample chamber. "old radon" window, since it represents counts from radon that was present in the RAD7 an hour For the first 5 minutes or so, the count rate or more before.

  • Page 39: Modes: Sniff And Auto

    For real-time monitoring, you are always better because of the two-way split from Bismuth-212. off to leave the mode in AUTO. The RAD7 is up So, in calculating radon concentration, the RAD7 to speed quickly, and is not influenced by old corrects the counts in window A for any thoron measurements.

  • Page 40: Adsorbed Radon Gas

    3.11.5 Contamination by Radon, or Thoron, Radon atoms can adsorb on or absorb into internal Producing Solids surfaces of the RAD7, on the inside of tubing or on desiccant granules. This radon can stay behind If radon- or thoron-producing solids, such as...

  • Page 41: Beta And Gamma Emitters

    Table: 3.12 Typical RAD7 precision based on counting statistics only. NORMAL mode with sensitivity 0.500 cpm/pCi/L. Table values are two-sigma uncertainty (or 95% confidence interval) in units of pCi/L (percent).

  • Page 42: Humidity Correction

    Poisson statistics, where the standard The high sensitivity of the RAD7 is a result of the deviation (one-sigma) is the square root of the large collecting volume of the measurement count.
  • Page 43 83.1 Bq/m3. Such values are typical for cycles containing zero counts. This should not be taken to suggest that a negative concentration may have occurred. The RAD7 does not report different positive and negative uncertainties, and it is expected that the user will recognize that the negative uncertainty can never be greater than the base value of the reading.

  • Page 44: Spectrum Examples

    The count rate in window C is about the same as in window A. C. New radon The RAD7 spectrum after less than one hour of exposure to radon. The peak in window C is just beginning to grow in, but its count rate is still much less than in window A.

  • Page 45: Thoron Spectra

    Chapter 3 Basics of RAD7 Technology 3.13.2 Thoron Spectra A. New thoron The RAD7 spectrum while continuously sampling thoron laden air B 6.78 MeV Po216 B. Thoron in equilibrium The spectrum after continuously sampling thoron laden air for more than 12 hours. The...

  • Page 46: Combination Spectra

    Chapter 3 Basics of RAD7 Technology 3.13.3 Combination Spectra Radon and thoron spectra can add together to The RAD7 takes this into account, and always form combination spectra. Peaks in window B adjusts the window A count rate to correct for the...
  • Page 47 Chapter 3 Basics of RAD7 Technology D. Equilibrium radon with old thoron The count rate of A is roughly the rate of window C plus half the rate of window D. E. Old radon with old thoron. The count rate in window A is no more than about half the count rate of window D.

  • Page 48: Pathological Spectra

    It results from the buildup of lead-210 on the detector surface. Lead-210 has a 22 year half-life. It is not a problem for the RAD7 because the peak is outside window A, and thus does not contribute to the background.
  • Page 49 G. Shifted peaks. Peaks appear normal, but are shifted in position. Shows a malfunction of the RAD7, which should be returned to DURRIDGE for service without delay. H. Heavy tails on alpha peaks.

  • Page 50: Using The Rad7

    4.2.2 Purging O, and other DURRIDGE accessories. For the RAD7 to be all set to go, ready to start a test, it should be purged for at least five minutes Continuous Monitoring beforehand. This may be done in the car, en route to the test site.

  • Page 51: Test Location

    This would weeks. If data is periodically downloaded to a include a full-height basement, but not a crawl PC, and erased from the RAD7, there is no limit space. to the measurement duration. With the laboratory...

  • Page 52: Running The Test

    If the RAD7 path. The temperature reading gives a base for mean is consistently, significantly different from future reference, see below.

  • Page 53: Examining The Data

    Chapter 4 Using the RAD7 the end of the run. If the RAD7 can be accessed If the house was not properly closed up until the before the run is finished, simply place the printer measurement was started, you may expect to see a in position on the face plate and switch it on.

  • Page 54: Locating Radon Entry Points

    While making this sketch map, the RAD7 can be gas. Sniffing to locate radon entry points may, taking a benchmark radon measurement in the therefore, be focused on detecting thoron, if it is center of the room.

  • Page 55: Drilled Sampling Points

    RAD7 to the location to be tested, or when the beneath and to test the communication between RAD7 is pre-occupied with continuous different areas of the slab.

  • Page 56: Protocol

    4.4.4 Taking the Sample uranium, thoron results from the decay of natural thorium. Both uranium and thorium are If the RAD7 is at the location, simply start the test commonly found in soils and minerals, sometimes [MENU][ENTER][ ] [ENTER] ➔...

  • Page 57: Calculation And Interference Correction

    C to fill the internal cell. And the RAD7 clears just as decay to one tenth of its original value. rapidly when you purge the instrument with thoron-free air.

  • Page 58: Decay Correction, Flow Rate, And Thoron Calibration

    C2, about inconvenience of a few days at worst. 95.5% of C1. Within the RAD7 internal cell, the equilibrium thoron concentration, C3, will be 4.5.5 Decay Correction, Flow Rate, and...

  • Page 59: Thoron Mode

    4.5.10 Thoron Mode technique is of great importance. Thoron mode causes the RAD7 to print both For accurate thoron measurement, always use the thoron and radon concentrations (in pCi/L or Bq/ same sample taking arrangement. Keep the...

  • Page 60: Managing Background

    . Let the >Test Purge will remain in effect only when the RAD7 is RAD7 purge for 5 to 10 minutes, or longer if the configured exactly as instructed on the Thoron sample was exceptionally “hot”. Calibration Certificate. Generally this entails operating the RAD7 in Thoron Protocol, causing The two alpha peaks decay at different rates.

  • Page 61: Harsh And Hazardous Environments

    RAD7 inlet. Either situation can cause malfunctions and corrosion. If If the RAD7 is to be placed in a location that is the RAD7 is to be operated in a harsh hazardous to the health of individuals, remote...

  • Page 62: Using Rad7 Accessories

    The accessories discussed here are not included with the RAD7. For full details on the usage of a given accessory, please see its user manual. All product manuals are available in print form, and on the DURRIDGE website (www.durridge.com)

  • Page 63: The Water Probe Accessory

    Regardless, it is often of interest to exchanger in a closed loop. During this process, determine the radon concentration in soil gas. the RAD7 is set to operate in continuous mode, as described in Chapter 4.2. Thoron is usually associated with radon in the soil.

  • Page 64: Running The Test

    With ambient air, concentration of the soil gas. the RAD7’s internal pump may be set to On, for a continuos flow. In both cases, a flow meter is For thoron, some estimate has to be made of the required.

  • Page 65: Very Low Emission Rates

    For this purpose the volume In addition to radon, thoron can also be measured inside the RAD7 may be taken as 800mL. The in the Bulk Emission Chamber. In the open loop initial rate of increase in radon concentration...

  • Page 66: The Surface Emission Chamber

    The Range Extender The Range Extender mixes fresh air with the air being sampled, reducing the concentration of radon entering the RAD7 by a factor of ten. This greatly increases the instrument’s effective range. The Range Extender consists of two parallel capillary tubes joined at one end to an outlet hose connector.

  • Page 67: The Drystik

    RAD7 by transferring moisture from the flow with the built-in Duty Cycle Controller the sample about to enter the RAD7 to the air means that continuous soil gas readings may be being pumped out of the instrument. As the air...

  • Page 68: Pc Connectivity

    CAPTURE, which makes it easy to perform these write their own software for communicating with actions, as well as to monitor the RAD7’s status, the RAD7. graph radon and thoron data, apply corrections to account for environmental factors, and export the 6.1.1...

  • Page 69: Connecting The Rad7 To A Computer Using The Startech Usb To Serial Adaptor

    Chapter 6 PC Connectivity Connecting the RAD7 to a computer using the StarTech USB to Serial Adaptor Connecting the RAD7 to a computer using the KeySpan USB to Serial Adaptor It is recommended that the RAD7 remain plugged into a USB port on the computer (it is not...

  • Page 70: Capture Software

    CAPTURE is intended to simplify the transfer of appropriate version of the software for Windows data from the RAD7 to a computer. It also or Mac OS X. In Windows an installer program provides a wealth of graphing and data analysis...

  • Page 71: Feature Summary

    RAD7 data and more complete error-corrected be obtained. When a download operation is RAD7 data in a number of formats, for use in complete, the results are saved to disk in the spreadsheets and other analysis tools. Summary format of the user’s choice.

  • Page 72: Rad7 Communication Protocol

    These characters, trailing decimals, etc., which may commands all start with the word "SPECIAL". need to be trimmed. When the RAD7 responds to One such command is "SPECIAL STATUS" a Data Com or Special ComAll command, each which gives information about the current status line returned represents a different cycle.

  • Page 73: Table 6.3.3 Rad7 Data Record Content

    Bit 5 indicates if spectrum will print after each test Bit 6 indicates if there are multiple (recycle) tests Bit 7 indicates whether RAD7 is in SNIFF test mode. Radon concentration Expressed in pCi/l, Bq/m3, cpm, or # counts, depending on the units the RAD7 has been set to use.

  • Page 74: Terminal Emulator Tips

    If a terminal emulator or custom software mode to get these functions. The function keys application is used, it is recommended that F1, F2, F3, and F4 act as a remote RAD7 keypad, communication be conducted at a data rate not corresponding to the RAD7 keys [MENU] exceeding 9600 baud.

  • Page 75: Maintenance

    Drierite desiccant. The water capacity of each When used as a Sniffer, the small desiccant tube tube is 3 grams. We will assume that the RAD7 is recommended. It will last for several hours pump operates continuously, for an average flow before replacement or refilling of the tube is rate of 1.0 liter per minute.

  • Page 76: Cascading Drying Tubes

    Full recharge takes about 48 hours. entering the RAD7 test chamber. With the power cord plugged in and the RAD7 in The filters are manufactured in various pore sizes fast charge mode (not measuring radon), the by several companies, including Millipore and batteries will charge more quickly.

  • Page 77: Real-Time Clock And Non-Volatile Memory

    Never store the RAD7 without first recharging the These functions are powered by a lithium cell batteries. If you intend to store the RAD7 for a with an expected lifetime of ten years. long period of time, you must recharge the batteries at least every four months, as they can be 7.1.8...

  • Page 78: Service And Repair

    Shipping every six months in a radon calibration chamber, although most RAD7 users are satisfied with The RAD7 is shipped to you in a plastic bag, annual recalibration. DURRIDGE’s standard packed in a box with styrofoam peanuts, and RAD7 calibration requires four to five working finally packed inside another box that also holds days from the receipt of the instrument.

  • Page 79: Rad7 Quality Assurance

    A clean available for your RAD7. Please advise us if you spectrum is indicative of an instrument in perfect want to have an upgrade made. We intend to keep...

  • Page 80: Troubleshooting

    Make sure the RAD7 is properly plugged in to an fault with the RAD7 and it should be returned to external power source and is switched on.

  • Page 81: Water Catastrophe

    The desiccant is used up. Replace it. of the RAD7 to dry out the air path. When the air b) The desiccant insufficiently regenerated. path is fully dry (after dry air has been blown Follow the instructions in Chapter 7.1.1.

  • Page 82: Appendix 1: Wireless Infrared Printer

    (refer to A portable wireless printer is provided as a Section Set-Up Mode). standard accessory with the RAD7. It uses infrared technology to communicate with the A1.1.5 Push Buttons instrument using the Infrared Data Association (IrDA) standard, or HP protocol.

  • Page 83: Infrared Printer Component Locations And Functions

    Appendix 1 Wireless Infrared Printer Infrared Printer Component Locations and Functions...

  • Page 84: A1.2 Infrared Printer Operation

    Appendix 1 Wireless Infrared Printer A1.2 Infrared Printer Operation A1.2.3 Setup Mode The printer has been set up at the factory with the A1.2.1 Precautions following default parameters: To ensure the proper operation of the printer and Baud rate:! 9600bps prevent the possibility of voiding the warranty, be Handshaking: DTR sure to observe the following precautions:...

  • Page 85: A1.2.4 Using The Printer

    (45 cm) away from the instrument, at an mode END !!” should be printed. angle of no more than 30 degrees. Issue a RAD7 command such as Data Print to initiate printing. If the printer does not print, or if random...

  • Page 86: A1.3.3 Cleaning The Printer

    Appendix 1 Wireless Infrared Printer Infrared Printer Maintenance A1.3.3 Cleaning the Printer isopropyl alcohol and cotton swabs, and should be completed as follows: External surfaces of the printer may be kept clean by simply wiping with a damp cloth. Do not use 1.

  • Page 87: A1.4 Infrared Printer Specifications

    Appendix 1 Wireless Infrared Printer A1.4 Infrared Printer Specifications The following table contains the physical and technical specifications for the infrared printer. Printing Method Direct thermal 32, 48 columns, 384 dots/line Number of Columns Character Size 0.06 x 0.12 in. (1.5 x 3.0 mm) Line Pitch 0.1 in (4.0 mm) Paper Width...

  • Page 88: Appendix 2: Rad7 Specifications

    Specifications for the RAD7 exceed those of all radon gas monitors made in North America, as well as those in its price range world-wide. This is a partial list of specifications that make the RAD7 so highly regarded in the field.

  • Page 89: Table A2.3 Physical Specifications

    Statistical analysis tools track concentration averages and uncertainties Chart Recorder mode provides real-time RAD7 status monitoring Control RAD7 operations from computer via direct or remote connection Automatic calculation and display of radon in water for RAD AQUA Automatic combination of multiple RAD7 data Table A2.3 Physical Specifications...

This manual is also suitable for:

Rad 7

Table of Contents