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16. Test and maintenance
The instrument contains only reliable and durable quality parts. To ensure a trouble-free operation
for a long time, periodical maintenance still needs to be carried out. This includes the maintenance of
the pump (carbon shifter and filter), replacing the filter sealing (soft rubber O-Ring) and the check of
the flow sensor. All necessary procedures are described in detail by the service manual.
All operational parameters are monitored continuously during the sampling process. Erroneous
operation will be immediately signalized by the alert lights. Alert lights should be tested before any
usage by starting the cycle "Alert test". In most cases a short view at the acquired spectrum during
operation is sufficient to check the proper operation of the detector. Because you will find Radon
daughter products everywhere in the air, the Polonium Peaks are always present in the spectrum.
Especially if the 1 hour sampling interval has been selected, the spectrum shape appears clearly even
at low Radon daughter product concentration.
The typical example of a Radon spectrum shown at the picture above contains four significant peaks
as a maximum. The following table points out some criteria for the spectrum shape with respect to
the peak area, peak shape and peak position:
Beta (gross counting)
peak area
approximately two
times that of Po-214
significant tailing to
right; steep sloop at
left side
minimum between left
spectrum border and
peak maximum
placed in the left
region of the first
window
SARAD GmbH 2023
Po-218 (Alpha)
in most cases less peak
area than the Po-214
peak; at most equal
with Po-214
steep right slope;
significant tailing to left
peak maximum in the
fourth window; right
edge aligned with the
upper border of the
window
about 35...40% of the
peak area within the
third window
Manual_Aer 5400_EN_27-04-2023.docx
Po-214 (Alpha)
usually the greatest
alpha peak within the
spectrum
steep right slope;
significant tailing to left
nearly completely
within the fifth
window, right edge
aligned with the upper
border of the window
Aer 5400
Po-212 (Alpha)
only present if the
sampled air contains
Rn220 (Thoron) too
usually small peak area
steep right slope in the
upper part, small flat
ramp to right at the
bottom
significant tailing to left
located in the middle
of the sixth window
23
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