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International Medcom Radalert 100 Operating Manual

Nuclear radiation monitor
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Radalert 100
Nuclear Radiation Monitor
Operating Manual

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Summary of Contents for International Medcom Radalert 100

  • Page 1 Radalert 100 Nuclear Radiation Monitor Operating Manual...
  • Page 2 Copyright 2006 by International Medcom, Inc. All rights reserved.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Contents 1 Introduction How the Radalert 100 Detects Radiation 2 Features The Display The Switches The Detector The Ports 3 Operation Units of Measurement Starting the Radalert 100 Operating Modes Taking a Timed Total Count Operating Ranges and Response Times...

  • Page 5: Introduction

    • Check for leakage from X-ray machines and other sources • Set the alert level and use the Radalert 100 in Alert mode; if the radiation goes above the level you set, the alert beeper sounds to let you know •...

  • Page 6: Features

    2 Features The Radalert 100 measures alpha, beta, gamma, and x-ray radiation. This chapter briefly describes the Radalert 100's functions. For more information on how to use the Radalert 100, see Chapter 3, "Operation." 4 LCD 5 Mode Switch 6 On/Off/Audio...

  • Page 7: The Display

    An hourglass (D) appears to the left of the numeric display during a timed count. • TOTAL (E) appears when the Radalert 100 is in Total mode. • X1000 (F) appears when the radiation level is displayed in X1000 mode.

  • Page 8: The Switches

    • MENU (J) appears when you are in the Utility Menu. The Switches The Radalert 100 has two switches on the front, and three buttons on the end panel. Each switch has three settings, which are described below. On/Off/Audio Switch ( Audio.

  • Page 9: The Detector

    Geiger tube has a thin disk of mica, which alpha radiation can penetrate, on its end. The screened opening at the top of the Radalert 100 is called the alpha window (8). It allows alpha and low-energy beta and gamma radiation to penetrate the mica end of the tube.

  • Page 10: Operation

    When installing the battery, place the battery wires along the side of the battery and not under it. To start the Radalert 100, set the top switch to the mode you want, and set the bottom switch to On or Audio. The Radalert 100 then does a four-second system check, displaying all the indicators and numbers.

  • Page 11: Taking A Timed Total Count

    Taking a Timed Total Count The Radalert 100 can give you a total count for a timed period of from one minute to 40 hours. A timed total count is useful for determining the average counts per minute over a period of time.

  • Page 12: Operating Ranges And Response Times

    If you move the Mode switch to one of the dose rate modes while the Radalert 100 is taking a timed count, the timed count will stop. Operating Ranges and Response Times The following table shows the radiation levels the Radalert 100 measures in each mode and how they are displayed.
  • Page 13 X1000 indicator) Maximum level. When the maximum level for the current mode is reached, the Radalert 100 beeps for three seconds, pauses for three seconds, and repeats that pattern. The numeric display flashes. The beeping pattern and the flashing continue until the level decreases or the Radalert 100 is turned off.

  • Page 14: Using The Alert

    The Radalert 100 can sound an audible alert whenever the radiation reading reaches a certain level. The three buttons on the end of the Radalert 100 allow you to turn Alert mode on and off and to set the alert levels.

  • Page 15: The Utility Menu

    To activate the Utility Menu, hold down the + button on the • end panel while you turn on the Radalert 100; the word MENU will appear at the bottom right of the numeric display. When you release the + button, a 1 (indicating menu option 1) will appear above MENU.

  • Page 16: Interfacing To An External Device

    Revision #. Displays the software version number. Interfacing to an External Device The lower output jack on the left side of the Radalert 100 is a dual miniature jack that provides a data output that can be used to drive external devices.

  • Page 17: Common Procedures

    Levels vary at different distances from the ground, and may differ even in different areas of the same room. To accurately interpret the readings you get on the Radalert 100, it is a good idea to establish the normal background radiation level for each area you plan to monitor.

  • Page 18: Checking An Object

    (for example 6, 12, or 24 hours). Checking an Object To check an object, place the Radalert 100 next to it with the end window facing and near the object; otherwise you may miss alpha and low-level beta radiation. To determine if an object is slightly radioactive, place the Radalert 100 next to it and take a timed count over an appropriate period of time.

  • Page 19: Maintenance

    Calibrating Using a Source Before you calibrate the Radalert 100, make sure the distance between the Radalert 100 and the source is correct to produce the appropriate dose rate. Place the Radalert with the end panel facing the source and the center of the alpha window aligned with the center of the source.
  • Page 20 Start with the Radalert 100 turned off and the Mode switch set to mR/hr. Hold down the – button on the end panel while you turn the On/Off/Audio switch to On. (Don’t use the Audio setting.) The display shows CAL, and the Radalert 100 counts down for 15 seconds, beeping each second.
  • Page 21 CPM mode by continuously holding down the – button; the reading now corresponds to the input frequency. Start with the Radalert 100 turned off and the Mode switch set to mR/hr. Hold down the – button on the end panel while you turn the On/Off/Audio switch to On.

  • Page 22: Precautions

    Do not put the Radalert 100 in a microwave oven. It cannot measure microwaves, and you may damage it or the oven. • If you expect to not use the Radalert 100 for longer than one month, remove the battery to avoid damage from battery corrosion.

  • Page 23: Troubleshooting

    Troubleshooting The Radalert 100 is a highly reliable instrument. If it does not seem to be working properly, look through the following chart to see if you can identify the problem. Problem Possible Cause What to Check Display is blank...
  • Page 24 6871 Abbott Ave. Sebastopol, CA 95472 707-823-0336, fax 707-823-7207 Do not attempt to repair the Radalert 100; it contains no user- serviceable parts and you could void your warranty. CAUTION: Do not send a contaminated instrument for repair under any circumstances.

  • Page 25: Basics Of Radiation And Its Measurement

    6 Basics of Radiation and Its Measurement This chapter briefly tells what radiation is and how it is measured. This information is provided for users who are not already familiar with the subject. It is helpful in understanding how the Radalert 100 works and in interpreting your readings.
  • Page 26 Beta radiation. A beta particle consists of an electron emitted from an atom. Beta particles penetrate matter less deeply than gamma or X-rays, but they are biologically significant because they can be more effective than gamma radiation at disrupting cellular material. Alpha radiation.

  • Page 27: Measuring Radiation

    The amount of radiation is generally determined by measuring the resulting ionization. The Geiger tube used in the Radalert 100 consists of an anode (positive electrode) positioned in the center of a tubular cathode (negative electrode) filled with a mixture of argon, neon, and either chlorine or bromine gases.

  • Page 28: Radiation Measurement Units

    and ionizes the gas, it generates a pulse of current. The Radalert 100 electronically processes these pulses to display the radiation level. Alpha Cathode Anode Window (Side Wall) Radiation Measurement Units Several different units are used to measure radiation, exposure to radiation, and dosage.

  • Page 29: Higher Than Normal Readings

    Higher Than Normal Readings Due to the random nature of radioactivity, the Radalert 100 reading varies from minute to minute. In one location with only background radiation, the reading in mR/hr might vary from .007 to .018 in ten minutes and from .004 to .021 in an hour. Averages for both periods would be very close.

  • Page 30: Appendix A Technical Specifications

    Appendix A Technical Specifications Sensor: Halogen-quenched Geiger-Mueller tube with mica end window (LND 712 or equivalent). Mica window density 1.5- 2.0 mg/cm . Side wall is .012” #446 stainless steel. Display: 4-digit liquid crystal display with mode indicators Operating Range: mR/hr: .001 to 110 CPM:...
  • Page 31 data collection systems. 0-9 V, 1 kOhm impedance. Calibration Input: 2.5 mm mono jack provides calibration input. 0-3.3 V, > 5 µs width, rising edge triggered. Anti-Saturation: “Jam” protection allows readout to hold at full scale in high radiation fields Temperature Range: -20°...

  • Page 32: Warranty

    Modification or repair of this instrument by anyone other than International Medcom voids this warranty. International Medcom is not responsible for incidental or consequential damages arising from the use of this instrument.

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