1703M OPERATING MANUAL
1703M OPERATING MANUAL
nukeALERT II Model 1703M
1703M OPERATING MANUAL
nukeALERT II MODEL 1703M
This manual is intended to describe the design, operation and use
of our Personal Radiation Detector (PRD) 1703M.
The Operating Manual includes the general description,
specications of the detector, as well as other information
necessary for the proper operation of the detector and
understanding of device capabilities.
Changes may be made to the instrument electrical scheme,
construction, design and software that do not inuence
the specications and, therefore, may be not specied in
this manual.
1703M OPERATING MANUAL
1. APPLICATION
The Personal Radiation Detector (PRD) Model 1703M is designed to search,
detect, and locate gamma and/or neutron emitting radioactive sources.
The instrument is carried on a belt clip and may be used both indoor and outdoor
by various users whose professional duties involve detection and location of
radiation sources.
The instrumentʼs operating history is stored in its non-volatile memory and may
be transferred to a personal computer through an infrared (IR) interface.
2. PRECAUTIONS
Before using this instrument, please read this manual carefully. Take special care
to follow the safety instructions listed below.
• As with any sensitive electronic instrument, it should not be
subjected to severe mechanical shock.
• Clean the instrument with a soft, damp cloth.
Do not use benzene or any other strong chemicals.
• Always follow your employerʼs protocols for work with
radioactive materials and other radiation sources, as well
as accepted standards for radiation safety.
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1703M OPERATING MANUAL
3. GENERAL DESCRIPTION
3.1 Introduction
The 1703M is an easy-to-use instrument with only two buttons (Figure 1).
To operate the instrument the user does not need to be an expert in nuclear
physics or radiation protection. After being switched ON, the instrument works
passively and automatically and alarms when it detects a radiation source
(gamma emitting isotopes).
However, to properly set instrument parameters, transmit data from the instrument
memory to a PC and, especially, to interpret data, the user should have some
knowledge of radiation and procedures for detection of radioactive sources.
Figure 1. nukeALERT II 1703M PRD
1703M OPERATING MANUAL
3.2 Specications
SP E CI F I C AT I ON S :
Energy range of gamma radiation 0.033 – 3.0 MeV
Sensitivity for gamma radiation
(662 keV of Cs137), typical 1cps/(µR/r) 100cps /(µSv/hr)
Dose rate range 1-7000 µR/r (0.01-70 µSv/hr)
Threshold setting range for photon radiation 15 - 360 µR/h
Environmental tolerances:
temperature range -22°F to 122°F (-30°C to +50°C)
relative humidity at 95°F (35°C) up to 95 %
Drop test (concrete surface) 2.3 feet (0.7 m)
Protection class IP65
Battery lifetime, based on 24/7 usage no less than 800 hours
Power requirements 1 AA battery
Weight (including the battery) no more than 6.35 oz (180 g)
Dimensions 27.7 × 70 ×72 mm
3.3 Overview of Control Buttons, Display and Modes of Operation
The instrument has two control buttons that are located on the top
panel of the instrument (see Figure 2).
These buttons perform different functions depending on the
mode used. To turn the instrument ON, press and release the
“MODE” button 1.
To turn the instrument OFF, press and hold the “LIGHT” button 2
for 6-7 seconds until LCD indicates “OFF” message.
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1703M OPERATING MANUAL
Figure 2. General view of the nukeALERT II
1. MODE button
2. LIGHT button
3. Window of IR transceiver
4. The upper LCD scale
5. Analog scale
6. Battery discharge warning sign
7. Sign indicating gamma radiation
parameters on the LCD scale
8. Unit of measurement on the LCD
9. Lid of battery compartment
10. Battery
11. Audible alarm device
12. Geometrical center of the
gamma detector
1703M OPERATING MANUAL
The instrument operates in two modes: detect mode and search mode.
Instrument control is shown in Figure 3.
The instrument has an automatic low battery detection circuit. If the voltage
drops below 1.115 V, the battery discharge warning sign is displayed in
the LCD lower left corner and an audible alarm different from a radiation
alarm, sounds. In this case, the battery needs to be replaced (see section
“Battery replacement”).
The instrument also controls detector blocks. If the count rate is above
the upper limit preset by the manufacturer, the LCD displays “OL”
(see chapter 5). The instrument is provided with the LCD backlight. To turn
On the LCD backlight, press and release “LIGHT” button 2 (Figure 2).
Self check
The instrument performs self check after it is turned ON.
Before the alarm testing procedure (audible or vibration) is activated for
approximately 1 second, the LCD displays the “test” message and the
necessary tests are performed. The time left until the self-test completes
is indicated in relative units on the analog scale in a decreasing number
of segments.
After the self-tests are complete, the instrument goes into detect mode.
Detect mode
While in the detect mode the instrument indicates on the LCD upper scale
the exposure rate of photon radiation.
The instrument produces light, audible or vibration signals when the preset
dose rate threshold is exceeded. The lower LCD scale displays in this mode
the count rate in s-1 of the neutron radiation.
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Search mode
In search mode the LCD indicates numbers from 0 to 9 indicating gamma
dose rate values. Corresponding numbers and their dose rate values are
shown in Table 1.
1703M OPERATING MANUAL
press and release the button O keep the button pressed for more than 2 seconds
O
Figure 3. The 1703M operation and control modes.
A – The instrument automatically goes to the detect mode,
if no buttons are pressed for 4-6 seconds
1. Detect mode
2. Search mode
3. Enter settings, turn on/off the audible alarm
4. Turn on/off the vibratory alarm
1703M OPERATING MANUAL
Table 1. Dose Rate Values
Number Dose Rate Range
0 From background to 34 µR/h
1 ≥34 to <38
2 ≥38 to <43
3 ≥43 to <69
4 ≥69 to <140
5 ≥140 to <169
6 ≥169 to <550
7 ≥550 to <942
8 ≥942 to <1370
9 ≥1370
The analog scale and the light and audible alarms are activated
simultaneously. The number of segments lled on the analog scale is
proportional to the number displayed on the LCD. When the vibratory
alarm is turned ON, mechanical vibrations are produced instead of
audible signals (the instrument case vibrates). The signal repetition rate
increases as the instrument comes closer to a gamma radiation source.
Settings for 1703M
The user can check the current status of the audible and vibratory alarms
or change it (enable/disable). The user can also check and if needed
change gamma and neutron threshold, if it is enabled by the control
software. When the threshold value is displayed in the set mode, press
the LIGHT button to make the digits ash. When ashing, press the MODE
button to increase the threshold value and press the LIGHT button to
decrease the threshold value. Pressing no buttons, hold for 10-15 seconds
to store all changes and to quit the setting mode.
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Note: Manufacturer preset value for gamma threshold is 30 µR/hr.
1703M OPERATING MANUAL
PC communication
PC communication functionality is an option designed for advanced users.
The instrument can communicate with a PC when the “LIGHT” button 2 is
pressed. It is possible to complete the following tasks:
• Assign the instrument to a specic user;
• Store the time when the instrument was received and returned back;
• Read out the information from the instrument memory, including the
history of its operation: number of the instrument; time of its turning
ON/OFF; current values of the dose rate in data storage intervals
preset by the user; count time in the search mode; the time and
readings of the instrument when the alarm threshold was exceeded;
preset dose rate threshold.
• Check and/or set the instrument parameters;
• Turn ON/OFF the audible or vibration alarm;
• Enable/disable changing threshold using the buttons;
• Enable/disable changing (status ON/OFF) alarms using the buttons;
• Check and correct current date and time if necessary;
• Set a value of successive time intervals in which the current values of
dose rate are stored in the non-volatile memory of the instrument;
• Set a password to access the parameters menu;
• Set the dose rate threshold at which the instrument produces either
audible or vibration signal.
1703M OPERATING MANUAL
4. OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE USER
The instrument is intended to search, detect, and locate gamma emitting
radioactive sources.
4.1 Detection of Gamma Radiation Sources
Turn the instrument ON by pressing the “MODE” button 1. The 1703M
LCD displays the gamma dose rate. When a radioactive source is detected
(the preset thresholds for gamma are exceeded), the instrument produces
the visual and audible or vibratory alarms.
Radiation detection efciency is higher the closer is the instrument user is to
an object that may contain a radioactive source (article, person, container,
vehicle, etc.) and the slower the user’s movement along the object.
The vibratory alarm can be used when discretion is desired.
After alarm activation, the instrument will switch over to search mode for
radiation source detection.
4.2 Locating Gamma and/or Neutron Radiation Sources
Activate search mode by pressing “MODE” button 1. The 1703M LCD
indicates levels of gamma radiation (numbered 0 to 9) and visual and
audible or vibratory signals will alarm as needed.
To locate the radiation source, the instrument should be held at a distance
of no more than 10 cm from the scanned object. Movement along the
scanned object should not exceed a speed of 10 cm per second.
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As the instrument is moved closer to a gamma radiation source, the LCD
displays increasing numbers and the rate of visual signals and the audio
tone (the rate of pulsation if the vibration alarm is turned ON) increases.
1703M OPERATING MANUAL
4.3 Communication with PC
For communication with a PC it is necessary to use a PC with IrDA port
or IR adapter and application program PM17XX_14XX supplied on the
installation CD.
Minimum system requirements:
P100
32 Mb RAM
Windows 98, 2000, XP (small font in Windows settings)
2 Mb free on the hard disk and adequate space available to
install the database
800X600 monitor resolution
To install the application program, insert the installation CD and run the
SETUP.EXE program.
The help le and the attached text document describe how to run the
application program.
To communicate with a PC, place the instrument 10-12 cm from the
IR adapter window and press “LIGHT” button 2. After reading the
instrument’s operation history, the instrument automatically switches off
(the LCD displays “OFF”).
4.4 Battery Replacement
• Turn the instrument OFF;
• Remove the lid of the battery compartment (see #9 of Figure 2)
using a screwdriver or a coin;
• Remove the exhausted battery and insert the new one into the
compartment (Figure 2) making sure that the positive (“+”) end of
the battery is inserted rst;
• Replace the battery compartment lid.
When the battery is replaced, the LCD displays all segments and the
instrument performs a self check.
1703M OPERATING MANUAL
5. TROUBLESHOOTING
Table 2. Actions to take if instrument is not operating properly.
Problem
The instrument fails to
exit self check
The LCD displays “OL” on
the upper scale or “999”
on the lower scale
Audible and/or vibration
alarm are not operating
LCD displays the battery
discharge warning sign and
alarm operates
Possible Cause
1. Gamma detector block failure
2. Processing block failure
1. A gamma radiation source is
too close to the unit
2. Gamma detector block failure
3. Processing block failure
1. Alarm is turned OFF
2. Alarm failure
1. Exhausted battery
Solution
Return instrument for repair.
Return instrument for repair.
Remove the source or step
back 1 foot at a time until the
“OL” message goes away
Return instrument for repair.
Return instrument for repair.
Turn the alarm on
Return instrument for repair.
Replace Battery
6. WARRANTY
Berkeley Nucleonics Corporation warrants all instruments, including
component parts, to be free from defects in material and workmanship,
under normal use and service for a period of one year. If repairs are
required during the warranty period, contact the factory for component
replacement or shipping instructions. Include serial number of the
instrument. This warranty is void if the unit is repaired or altered by others
than those authorized by Berkeley Nucleonics Corporation.
Warranty does not cover any instrument once the warranty period has
expired; if evidence of opening the instrument by the user is apparent;
or in the event of mechanical damage if the requirements of operation
were not satised.
Warranty does not cover battery replacement.
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1703M OPERATING MANUAL
2955 KERNER BLVD. SAN RAFAEL, CA 94901 • TEL 415.453.9955 • FAX 415.453.9956
INF O@BERKELEY NUCLEONICS .COM • W WW. B E RKELEYNUCLEO NICS.COM
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