Page 1
LUDLUM MODEL 3030 & 3030E SERIES ALPHA-BETA SAMPLE COUNTER November 2017 Serial Number 185762 and Succeeding Serial Numbers...
Page 2
LUDLUM MODEL 3030 & 3030E SERIES ALPHA-BETA SAMPLE COUNTER November 2017 Serial Number 185762 and Succeeding Serial Numbers LUDLUM MEASUREMENTS, INC. 501 OAK STREET, P.O. BOX 810 SWEETWATER, TEXAS 79556 325-235-5494, FAX: 325-235-4672...
RETURN OF GOODS TO MANUFACTURER If equipment needs to be returned to Ludlum Measurements, Inc. for repair or calibration, please send to the address below. All shipments should include documentation containing return shipping address, customer name, telephone number, description of service requested, and all other necessary information.
Table of Contents INTRODUCTION ......................1 GETTING STARTED ...................... 3 Unpacking and Repacking ............................3 Software Installation ..............................4 External Counter HV Connector (3030E only) ......................4 Start-up ..................................4 SPECIFICATIONS ......................6 Model 3030 ONLY .............................. 6 Model 3030E ONLY ............................6 Common Specifications ............................
Page 11
QC Check ................................... 25 HV Plateau ................................. 29 MDA Calculations ..............................32 Data Logging ................................33 RS-232 Communication ............................34 COMMANDS ................................34 Bn – Background Subtract Status ..........................34 Cn – Count ................................35 Dn – Display Mode ..............................35 F –...
Page 12
Sample Printouts................................ 41 Software License Agreement ............................ 43 RECYCLING ......................... 46 PARTS LIST ......................... 47 Model 3030 & Model 3030E Alpha-Beta Sample Counters ................47 Amplifier / Processor Board, Drawing 337 × 189 ....................47 Display Board, Drawing 337 × 88 ........................50 Power Supply Board, Drawing 337 ×...
Parameters are stored in non-volatile memory. Time and date are maintained with an internal lithium battery. Another advanced feature, which may be enabled or disabled, is the QC (Quality Control) check function. When enabled, the user must perform Ludlum Measurements, Inc. Page 1 November 2017...
Page 14
"3030-2" prominently displayed. A detailed summary of these changes are found in Appendix A, starting with page A-1. The Model 3030E-2 is like the Model 3030-2, but with an external detector like the Model 3030E. Ludlum Measurements, Inc.
The Model 3030/3030E serial number is located on the back panel, lower left-hand corner. Most Ludlum Measurements, Inc. detectors have a label on the base or body of the detector for model and serial number identification.
If the computer interface is desired, revert to the previous subsection, “Software Installation,” before continuing, and then connect the instrument to the computer using the RS-232 cable provided. Ludlum Measurements, Inc. Page 4 November 2017...
Page 17
Set the control VOLUME to the desired level of audio. Proceed to use the instrument. For further information on instrument controls or functions, consult Sections 4 and 7 of this manual. Ludlum Measurements, Inc. Page 5 November 2017...
: series “C” for connection to an external counter Counter Connector Model 3030E ONLY Size : 24.1 x 13.5 x 25.4 cm (9.5 x 5.3 x 10.0 in) (H x W x D) Ludlum Measurements, Inc. Page 6 November 2017...
: adjustable from 0.1 to 30 minutes (PC setting is user-defined Count Timer via PC software) : 250 watts at 95-250 Vac, 50-60 Hz single phase; internal 12 Vdc, Power 1.2A/hr, trickle-charged battery provides power for eight hours Ludlum Measurements, Inc. Page 7 November 2017...
): a 90° rotary control used to lift the sample tray into position UNLATCHED and block all extraneous light from the detector. Tray switch should always be in the position while counting. LATCHED Ludlum Measurements, Inc. Page 8 November 2017...
Remove the calibration (cal) cover plate to access the following calibration potentiometers: A-TH : a multi-turn potentiometer used to vary the alpha pulse discriminator from 40 to 700 mV, normally set at 120 mV Ludlum Measurements, Inc. Page 9 November 2017...
HV Jumper : When shunt is on the two outside pins, the HV is adjusted manually with the HVM potentiometer. The normal shunt position is on the two inside pins. Ludlum Measurements, Inc. Page 10 November 2017...
Do not immerse the instrument in any liquid. Observe the following precautions when cleaning: 1. Turn the instrument and disconnect the instrument power cord. 2. Allow the instrument to sit for one minute before cleaning. Ludlum Measurements, Inc. Page 11 November 2017...
Caution! The operator or responsible body is cautioned that the protection provided by the equipment may be impaired if the equipment is used in a manner not specified by Ludlum Measurements, Inc. Caution! Verify instrument voltage input rating before connecting to a power converter.
See section 8, “Recycling,” for further information. Replacement of Main Fuse (Back Panel) Warning! For continued protection against risk of fire, replace only with fuse of the specified type and current rating! Ludlum Measurements, Inc. Page 13 November 2017...
Consult the individual detector manual for the needed specifications. A Ludlum Model 500 Pulser or equivalent is required. If the pulser does not have a high-voltage readout, use a high-impedance voltmeter with at least 1000 megohm input resistance to measure the detector voltage.
Page 27
800 Vdc. Place shunt back to the automatic side (inside two [2] pins). Set the LCD count time for 0.1 minute (6 seconds). Adjust the pulser count rate to 400,000 cpm and pulse amplitude to 20 mV. Ludlum Measurements, Inc. Page 15 November 2017...
Page 28
βSourceCα =β source count in α channel BackCα = background count in α channel βNetCβ = Net β source count in β channel For the alpha/beta scintillation detector, applicable 4π efficiencies are: Ludlum Measurements, Inc. Page 16 November 2017...
Page 29
Set the unit in mode with efficiencies, background subtract, and crosstalk correction numbers from the high voltage plateau. Set the count time to one minute and print out an MDA chart from the interface software. Ludlum Measurements, Inc. Page 17 November 2017...
Recalibration should be accomplished after any maintenance or adjustment has been performed on the instrument. Ludlum Measurements recommends recalibration at intervals no greater than one year. Local regulations may have precedence over this recommendation.
Page 31
If the unit is out of service for extended periods of time, charge the battery every six months. It is recommended that the internal gel-cell battery be replaced every four years. Ludlum Measurements, Inc. Page 19 November 2017...
Model 3030 is found, the parameters are downloaded from the instrument and the main screen is displayed. The main screen consists of a tabbed interface separating the various functions and include General Settings, QC Check, HV Plateau, MDA Calculation, and Data Logging. Ludlum Measurements, Inc. Page 20 November 2017...
Page 33
The default password is blank until it is changed by the user using the Change Password menu item. The password can contain the following characters: a-z, A-Z, 0-1, !@#$%^&*() and cannot exceed eight characters in length. Ludlum Measurements, Inc. Page 21 November 2017...
: This menu item will print out a Parameters/Print Parameters (Ctrl-P) report of all parameters to a printer. : When this is checked, certain functions Parameters/Password Protect require a password. Ludlum Measurements, Inc. Page 22 November 2017...
Page 35
Count Mode CPM, or DPM. If dipswitch 1 is “OFF,” the unit is always in scaler mode. The Ludlum Model 3030 can operate as a traditional radiation scaler, displaying measurements in terms of CPM (counts per minute). It can also be programmed to automatically adjust and display the measurements in DPM (disintegrations per minute).
Page 36
: When enabled, the following are Show Parameters during power-up displayed to the LCD display during power up: firmware version, date, time, high voltage, user-defined count time, and alarms. Ludlum Measurements, Inc. Page 24 November 2017...
Section 7 QC Check The Ludlum Model 3030 has a “QC Check” function that allows the user to determine whether the instrument is operating within predetermined limits. This function is optional and does not have to be enabled. There is also an option to update the background every 24 hours.
Page 38
20% to 30% to pass. Source Size : The DPM value of the source size is saved to the instrument and is used to determine the efficiency during a QC check. Ludlum Measurements, Inc. Page 26 November 2017...
Page 39
5. Enter the “Alpha Source Size” and “Beta Source Size” of the sources to be used during the QC check. It is preferred to use the DPM or µCi column wherever possible. Conversion from Ludlum Measurements, Inc. Page 27 November 2017...
Page 40
9. Press the COUNT button to start the background count. At the end of the count, the LCD will flash between the readings and BAC. If the QC check fails, the instrument should be taken out of service until it can be repaired. Ludlum Measurements, Inc. Page 28 November 2017...
2. Run the Model 3030 control software. Software will automatically detect the instrument and download all parameters. 3. When all the parameters have been downloaded, click on the tab marked “HV Plateau” at the top of the window. Ludlum Measurements, Inc. Page 29 November 2017...
Page 42
1. Alpha source (beta counts shown in parenthesis) 2. Beta source (alpha counts shown in parenthesis) 3. Alpha background in cpm 4. Beta background in cpm 5. % alpha efficiency (4π) 6. % beta efficiency (4π) Ludlum Measurements, Inc. Page 30 November 2017...
Page 43
ASCII text file or print the results for later reference. 10. You may choose the operating voltage according to your own standards. Ludlum Measurements current standards, which may or may not be appropriate for your use, are listed below: Tc efficiency (4π) greater than or equal to 27% Pu efficiency (4π) greater than or equal to 37%...
90%, 95%, or 99%. This screen is only available when the instrument is in DPM mode. The values are preset according to the current instrument settings but may be changed here. The data may also be printed to a printer. Ludlum Measurements, Inc. Page 32 November 2017...
: This button clears the instrument of all samples in memory. Clear Samples Save Samples : This allows saving the sample data to a user-defined file. The data is saved in a comma delimited (*.csv) file to allow for importing into other applications. Ludlum Measurements, Inc. Page 33 November 2017...
Sets background subtract ON/OFF or return background subtract status, where “n: is a value of 0, 1, or 2. 0 = Sets background subtract OFF. 1 = Sets background subtract ON. 2 = Returns status. Ludlum Measurements, Inc. Page 34 November 2017...
0 = Turn printing OFF. 1 = Turn printing ON. 2 = Return printing mode (OFF, ON). Sets quick power-on mode. The Model 3030 may be configured to display certain parameters during power-up. Ludlum Measurements, Inc. Page 35 November 2017...
Line 2 returns “BETA” if the loss of count timer has expired. Otherwise, “OK” is returned. RNn – Read MDA Reads the Minimum Detectable Activity (MDA). Returns nnnnnn. Ludlum Measurements, Inc. Page 36 November 2017...
RR – Read Count Reads the current alpha and beta counts. Returns HH:MM MM/DD/YY aaaaaa bbbbbb x tttt.t. aaaaaa = alpha count bbbbbb = beta count x = S (scaler), C (cpm), and D (dpm) Ludlum Measurements, Inc. Page 37 November 2017...
2 = Read alpha-to-beta crosstalk. RY – Read Recycle Mode Status Reads the status of the recycle mode. Returns OFF or ON. Rn – Read the Alarm Set Points Reads the specified alarm set point. Returns nnnnnn. Ludlum Measurements, Inc. Page 38 November 2017...
15 characters long. SLyyyyy.y – Set Loss of Count Timer Sets the loss of count timer in seconds. The max is 99999.9 seconds. SNnyyyyyy – Set MDA Sets the alpha and beta MDA. Ludlum Measurements, Inc. Page 39 November 2017...
Sets the real-time clock. Seconds are always started at 00. SUxxxxxxxxxx – Set Command Sets a user-defined, 10-character comment that is saved with the logged samples. SVxxxx – Set High Voltage Sets high voltage from 0000 to 2000 volts. Ludlum Measurements, Inc. Page 40 November 2017...
Set the specified alarm set point. 1 = Set alpha alarm set point. 2 = Set beta alarm set point. 3 = Set alpha + beta alarm set point. Sample Printouts Ludlum Measurements, Inc. Model 3030 Plateau Data ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 01/15/2001 10:05:07 AM...
To this end, Ludlum Measurements, Inc. strives to supply the consumer of its goods with information regarding reuse and recycling of the many different types of materials used in its products. With many different agencies –...
Appendix A Appendix Model 3030-2 and 3030E-2 The Ludlum Model 3030-2 (LMI Part # 48-3992) and Model 3030E-2 (LMI Part # 48-3448-2) are dual-channel counters designed for simultaneous alpha and beta sample measurement. Below are the differences between the Model 3030/3030E and the 3030-2/3030E-2.
Need help?
Do you have a question about the 3030E-2 and is the answer not in the manual?
Questions and answers