1. Manuals
  2. Brands
  3. IMI Manuals
  4. Measuring Instruments
  5. Radalert 100 Series
  6. Operation manual

IMI Radalert 100 Series Operation Manual

Nuclear radiation monitor
Hide thumbs
Table of Contents

Advertisement

Quick Links

Download this manual
X
Nuclear Radiation Monitor
Operation Manual
January 27 2023

Advertisement

Table of Contents
loading
Need help?

Need help?

Do you have a question about the Radalert 100 Series and is the answer not in the manual?

Questions and answers

Subscribe to Our Youtube Channel

Related Manuals for IMI Radalert 100 Series

Summary of Contents for IMI Radalert 100 Series

  • Page 1 Nuclear Radiation Monitor Operation Manual January 27 2023...
  • Page 2 Mission ince Please Remem er to e aref l ro nd Radioacti e Materials Radalert is a Registered Trademark of International Medcom Inc. tional Radalert cessories • Protect® Silicone Boot • Geigerlink Computer Interface • IMI Gateway App through 2023...

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Contents 1 Introduction ................1 How the Radalert 100 Detects Radiation ......1 Precautions................2 2 Features ................3 The Display................4 The Switches .................5 The Detector .................6 The Input/Output Ports ............6 3 Operation................7 Units of Measurement ............7 Starting the Radalert 100 .............7 Operating in the Dose and Count Rate Modes.......7 Operating in Timer Mode ............8 Operating Ranges and Response Times........10 Using the Alert ..............11...

  • Page 5: Introduction

    1 Introduction The Radalert 100 is a health and safety instrument that measures alpha, beta, gamma, and X-ray radiation. Its applications include: • Monitoring possible radiation exposure while working with radionuclides • Ensuring compliance with regulatory standards • Checking for leakage from X-ray machines and other sources •...

  • Page 6: Precautions

    Precautions To keep the in good condition, handle it with care and observe the following precautions: • Do not contaminate the by touching it to radioactive surfaces or materials. • Do not leave the in temperatures over 122° F (50° C) or in direct sunlight for extended periods of time.

  • Page 7: Features

    2 Features measures alpha, beta, gamma, and X-ray radiation. This chapter briefly describes the ’s functions. For more information on how to use the , see Chapter 3, “Operation.” counts ionizing events and displays the results on the liquid crystal display (LCD) (4). You control which unit of measurement is shown by using the mode switch.

  • Page 8: The Display

    The Display Several indicators on the LCD show information about the mode setting, the current function, and the battery condition. E Total Mode F X1000 G Average H Calibration Mode Mode D Timer I Timer, Alert, or Calibration C Alert Mode Set Mode Indicator J Units of...

  • Page 9: The Switches

    The Switches has two switches on the front and three buttons on the end panel. Each switch has three settings, which are described below. Mode Switch (5) Dose Rate. The numeric display shows the current radiation level in the selected unit of measurement. In SI units it shows the current radiation level in microsieverts per hour, from .00 to 1100.

  • Page 10: The Detector

    The Detector uses a Geiger ube to detect radiation. Alpha radiation does not penetrate most solid materials, so this Geiger tube has a thin disk of mica, which alpha radiation can penetrate, on its end. The screened opening at the top of the is called the alpha window (8).

  • Page 11: Operation

    3 Operation The guidelines in this chapter describe how to use the Units of Measurement is designed both for users of SI units (microsieverts per hour and counts per second or counts per minute) and for users of conventional units (milliroentgens per hour and counts per minute).

  • Page 12: Operating In Timer Mode

    are calculated using a conversion factor optimized for Cesium-137, so this mode is less accurate for other radionuclides unless you have calibrated the instrument for a speci c radionuclide using an appropriate source. It is more appropriate to measure alpha and beta activity using Count Rate than using Dose Rate.
  • Page 13 3. Use the + and – buttons to set the timing period. e timed period can be for 1 to 10 minutes in one-minute increments, for 10 minutes to 2 hours in ten-minute increments, or for 2 to 40 hours in one-hour increments. 4.

  • Page 14: Operating Ranges And Response Times

    Operating Ranges and Response Times In some modes, when radiation levels increase over certain preset levels, uses autoranging, automatically changing to the X1000 scale. Whenever X1000 is shown above the numeric display, multiply the displayed reading by 1000 to determine the radiation level. The following table shows the radiation levels the measures in each mode and how they are displayed.

  • Page 15: Using The Alert

    Basis for Reading Radiation Level (after first 90 seconds) <1000 CPM or <8.3 µSv/hr or <.83 mR/hr 90 seconds (<17 CPS) 1000–6000 CPM or 8.3–50 µSv/hr or .83–5 mR/hr 6 seconds (17–100 CPS) >6000 CPM or >50 µSv/hr or >5 mR/hr 3 seconds (>100 CPS) Note: You can set the response time to 3 seconds at all radiation...

  • Page 16: The Utility Menu

    When Alert mode is started, the restarts counting, and beeps after 90 seconds to show that the reading is statistically valid. When you first start the , the alert levels are preset at 1 µSv/hr and the equivalent values in the other units: .1 mR/hr, 120 CPM, and 2 CPS.

  • Page 17: Interfacing To An External Device

    3 Cal 100 Reset. Automatically resets the calibration factor to 100. 4, 5, 6 Reserved for future options. 7 Cal Factor Adjust. Displays the current calibration factor, which you can then adjust to the new factor you want. See “Calibration” in Chapter 5.

  • Page 18: Common Procedures

    4 Common Procedures e following sections give guidelines for several commonly-used pro- cedures. With any procedure, the user must determine the suitability of the instrument or procedure for that application. Establishing the Background Count Normal background radiation levels vary at different locations, according to altitude and other factors, such as types of minerals in the ground.

  • Page 19: Environmental Area Monitoring

    For more information on using the timer, see “Taking a Timed Count” in Chapter 3. Environmental Area Monitoring You can keep the in Dose Rate or Count Rate mode when- ever you want to monitor the ambient radiation, and look at it from time to time to check for elevated readings.

  • Page 20: Maintenance

    For a list of recommended laboratories for instrument calibration, see the IMI website at medcom.com. Check sources are available from various licensed sources. Any radioactive source should be handled with caution and shielded properly during storage.
  • Page 21 Before you calibrate the , make sure the distance between and the source is correct to produce the appropriate dose rate. Follow these steps: 1. Start with the turned off and the Mode switch set to Dose Rate. 2. Hold down the – button on the end panel while you turn the On/ O /Audio switch to On.
  • Page 22 3. Start with the turned off and the Mode switch set to Dose Rate. 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 counts down for 15 seconds, chirping each second.

  • Page 23: Troubleshooting And Service

    Troubleshooting and Service 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 Battery: dead, missing, Install and firmly connect a new or poor connection 9-volt alkaline battery...
  • Page 24 If the requires servicing, please contact your distributor or International Medcom, Inc. for instructions on where to ship the instrument. You can contact IMI at 707-823- 0336 or at c @medcom.com. Do not attempt to repair the ; it contains no user-serviceable parts and you could void your warranty.

  • 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 works and in interpreting your readings.
  • Page 26 Alpha radiation. An alpha particle consists of two protons and two neutrons, the same as the nucleus of a helium atom. It generally can travel no more than 1 to 3 inches in air before stopping, and can be stopped by a piece of paper. When an atom emits an alpha or beta particle or a gamma ray, it becomes a di erent type of atom.

  • Page 27: Measuring Radiation

    Isotope Emits Half-life Product U-238 alpha 4.5 billion years Th-234 Thorium Th-234 beta 24.1 days Pa-234 Proactinium Pa-234 beta 1.17 minutes U-234 Uranium U-234 alpha 250,000 years Th-230 Thorium Th-230 alpha 80,000 years Ra-226 Radium Ra-226 alpha 1,602 years Rn-222 Radon Rn-222 alpha...

  • Page 28: Radiation Measurement Units

    Radiation Measurement Units Several di erent units are used to measure radiation, exposure to radi- ation, and dosage. A oentgen is the amount of X-radiation or gamma radiation that pro- duces one electrostatic unit of charge in one cc of dry air at 0° C and 760 mm of mercury atmospheric pressure.
  • Page 29 the radiation at 35,000 to 40,000 feet may be as much as 30 to 50 times the normal level on the ground. When monitoring radiation levels in one location, it is useful to de- termine the highest reading you can normally expect to see in that location.

  • Page 30: Appendix: Technical Specifications

    Appendix: Technical Specifications Halogen-quenched Geiger-Mueller detector (LND 712) Detector: Mica end window density is 1.5–2.0 mg/cm Side wall is 0.012" #446 stainless steel Detects Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and X-radiation 4-digit liquid crystal display with mode indicators Display: µSv/hr: .00 to 1,100 Operating Range: mR/hr: .00 to 110 CPM:...
  • Page 31 Display updates every 3 seconds, showing the Averaging Periods: average for the past 90-second time period at nor- mal levels. e averaging period decreases as the radiation level increases. Red LED ashes with each count Count Light: Beeper chirps for each count (can be muted) Audio: •...

  • Page 32: Limited Warranty

    The user assumes all risk and liability connected with such use. IMI is not responsible for incidental or consequential damages arising from the use of this instrument.

Table of Contents