BNC 951 User Manual

PRODUCT GUIDE

MODEL 951 RADIATION DETECTOR

INTRODUCTION

nukeALERT MODEL 951

About Berkeley Nucleonics

Founded in 1963, Berkeley Nucleonics Corporation

(BNC), is a leading manufacturer of precision

electronic instrumentation for test, measurement

and nuclear research. Headquartered in San Rafael,

CA, BNC operates several manufacturing facilities

and sales offices throughout the U.S. BNC’s

nuclear detection products serve industries

involved in environmental monitoring, health

physics, emergency response and power genera-

tion. BNC is committed to maintaining its tradition

of technical excellence by providing responsive

solutions to the rapidly changing nuclear industry

and its customers. BNC products are manufactured

and assembled in the U.S.A.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

3 General Description of Operation

4 Specifications

5 Operating Instructions for User

7 Accessories

8 Maintenance and Battery Management

9 Calibration Data

10 Warranty

Personal Radiation Detector –
General Description of Operation

The nukeALERT is a highly portable, rugged, all­weather radiation detector that’s small enough to
wear on a belt yet powerful enough to quickly locate
low-level radioactive sources, even in a warehouse full
of boxes. Designed to discreetly monitor any environ­ment without intrusion or disruption of civilian activities,
the nukeALERT can be set to notify the user by vibra-
tion or audible alarm whenever gamma radiation
exceeds natural background levels. The nukeALERT‘s
simple operation and highly readable display provide
an automatically updated strength indicator in less than
1 second, allowing a rapid area sweep to identify the
exact location of any radiation source.

When activated, the nukeALERT measures the back­ground radiation count for 30 seconds, and then uses
that value to establish a noise floor. Any radiological
isotope that comes within range of the nukeALERT
will activate the audio or vibration alarm, and the
nukeALERT display will show a value from “1” to “9”
or “H“ (HOTZONE) to indicate the intensity of the
radiation detected. The intensity corresponding to these
numbers is shown on page 9. The audio and vibration
alarms increase in repetition rate the closer the
nukeALERT is brought to the radiation source. The
source of the radiation can be quickly found by scan­ning the area and using the alarm as an intensity indica­tor. The range of detection can vary from hundreds of
meters to just a few, depending on how large and
powerful the radiation source is and how much
material is between the source and the nukeALERT.

Features and Benefits

• All-temperature, all-weather detector

• Self-powered, with 2 year battery life

• Rugged (can survive a 3 foot drop onto concrete)

• Audible alarm or discreet silent operation

• Easy to use; no training required

• Automatic calibration to filter background radiation

• Adaptable for operation near x-ray machines

• Bright display operates in day or night

3

SPECIFICATIONS

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

FOR USER

Function Gamma ray detection
Detector Cesium Iodide Scintillator

Battery Life 2+ years @ 48 hrs/week

Batteries 2 AA Alkaline

Response Time < 1 second

Notification 1. Audio alarm; beeps increase based

on radiation strength

2. Vibration; vibration pulses increase
based on radiation strength

3. Flashing LED; flashes increase based
on radiation strength, color changes

from orange to red

4. LED with readout “1” through “9”

and “H” for the highest level

(HOTZONE)

Calibration Automatic when turned on
Calibration 16-position switch; allows manual

Biasing setting for operation in high-radiation

environments (Ex., near X-ray
machines)

Placement Belt clip or belt pouch

Size 3.75" x 2.5" x 1.25"

Weight 6.4 oz w/batteries

Environment Heavy rain

-10˚ F to 122˚ F, -23˚ C to 50˚ C

Day or night visibility
In loud or quiet environments
Passes 3 feet drop test onto concrete

Designed and tested to meet U.S. Customs Service
specifications

The nukeALERT is shipped with batteries installed and
is ready to use (See Battery Management section on
page 8). Remove it from the shipping carton and
familiarize yourself with the controls and displays on
top of the unit and operating instructions on back label.
To begin operation, move the nukeALERT power switch
from the “Off” position to SPK (for SPEAKER which is
the “on” position) and the unit will begin a power up
and calibration sequence. During the 30 second calibra­tion interval, the unit will measure naturally occurring
background radiation and will calculate a threshold
above which a radiological alert will be indicated to the
operator. The LED display will flash during the 30 second
calibration sequence. Following completion of calibration,
a beep is sounded indicating the threshold level has
been successfully calculated for that particular environ­ment. Every 15 seconds thereafter, an LED in the lower
center of the main display window will flash, indicating
the unit is operating properly and is in detection mode.
Because the nukeALERT auto-calibrates to the ambient
radiation level, maximum sensitivity will be obtained if
you turn the nukeALERT on at the location where you
are planning to inspect.

If the nukeALERT finds that it is no longer detecting
the background radiation levels that it expects over a
period of time (such as if the operator takes it into a
concrete building), the nukeALERT will recalibrate
itself. The nukeALERT will beep and the LED will show
a “racetrack” pattern for 30 seconds. When complete,
the nukeALERT will beep and go into detection mode.
This is performed to keep the nukeALERT at maximum
sensitivity levels in all environments.

Alarms

The nukeALERT will alarm (either audibly if in SPK
mode or will vibrate if in VIB mode) when the presence
of gamma radiation exceeds the natural background
levels. Alarms are visually displayed (LED window on
top left of unit) in levels from 1 (low level of gamma
photons present) to 9 (high level of gamma photons
present) and will also change to a more intense color.

4 5

Operating Instructions-Alarms (continued)

ACCESSORIES

In addition, when in SPK mode, an audible alert will sound
in increasing intensity as the alarm level goes from 1 to
higher levels. When unit is on, calibrated and in VIB mode,
the nukeALERT will alarm by displaying the level on the
LED window and activating the vibra-sender feature and
the intensity of vibration will increase proportionately as
the level of gamma radiation increases.

In addition to the visual LED window, audible alerts and
vibration alerts, a small rectangular LED located directly
below the BNC logo on top of the unit will flash slowly
(and display an orange color) as a level 1 alarm is
displayed on the larger LED and will increase in the
rate of flashing as alarm levels increase through level
9 up to the maximum level H. Finally, the color of this
flashing LED will change from orange to red at levels 6

A ballistic nylon case (with a clear plastic window on
top flap) is supplied with each nukeALERT. The belt
loop has a snap fastener allowing the user to affix
the case/nukeALERT to a belt of up to 3" in width.
The top flap on the case opens and closes easily
using a Velcro

®

fastener and allows removal of the
nukeALERT if required. If the operator prefers to
utilize the optional belt clip assembly shown below,
please contact the BNC Customer Service department
(800-234-7858) or your sales representative. The belt
clip fastens directly to the back of the nukeALERT
and swivels while worn on belt or garment and
allows quick release of nukeALERT to allow
handheld operation.

through 9 and also at maximum level H.

In the event the operator changes work location during
the course of their duties, it is recommended that the
nukeALERT be turned off and turned back on (allows
unit to automatically re-calibrate to the natural back­ground radiation in the new location which can be
significantly different from place to place). This simple
and quick step will insure that the unit will be the
most effective and sensitive to small increases of
gamma radiation.

Internal Switch

Inside the back of the battery compartment of the
nukeALERT is a small 16-position switch that can be
adjusted with a long handheld screwdriver. The majority

of nukeALERT users will not require adjustment of
this switch. The purpose of this adjustment and switch

is to allow adjustment of the background level radiation
value if the user is operating in an environment where the
background radiation swings back and forth frequently
(such as in close proximity to an operating X-ray machine).
This switch auto adjusts the “1” to “9” and “H” scale so
that the operator in those environments does not constantly
get false alarms. This switch should only be adjusted by
an informed operator. If the switch level is set too high,
it will desensitize the nukeALERT and potentially allow
low-level radiation sources through that would be detected

under normal operation.

6 7

MAINTENANCE

CALIBRATION DATA

The nukeALERT is designed to meet extreme environ­mental standards for rain, shock and vibration. The
unit is sealed to reduce intrusion from dust, humidity
and salt fog. The unit, including top display, may be
cleaned safely with mild soap and water using a
warm, wet cloth.

Battery Issues and Maintenance

The nukeALERT is powered by two AA Alkaline
batteries (installed at factory) which under a normal
duty cycle (on 8 hours a day in detection mode, off
16 hours) will operate in detection mode for two years
without replacement. A low battery indicator (LED
will display “L”) will inform the operator that batteries
should be replaced. While a certain reserve is designed
into the nukeALERT once a low battery alert is
displayed, batteries should be replaced (use small
Phillips head screwdriver to release battery door on
bottom of unit) as soon as possible to allow robust
operation in the event future multiple alarms are
encountered.

Failure Mode

If the unit is unable to achieve detection mode for
any reason, a FAIL indicator will be displayed. The
nukeALERT will continually display each character in
sequence – “F”, then “A”, then “I” and then “L”.
If failure mode occurs (most likely due to a significant
change in location of operation), turn power off to the
nukeALERT and then turn unit back on and allow it
to re-calibrate (in new location). If the nukeALERT
continues to go into failure mode following attempt
to re-calibrate, notify customer service for assistance.

Typical Calibration Data for nukeALERT

ALARM LEVEL DOSE RATE

1 0.035
2 0.040
3 0.055
4 0.065
5 0.100
6 0.200
7 0.350
8 0.600
9 1.100

H 13.00

mRem/hr

8 9

LIMITED WARRANTY

FOR PRODUCTS

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.
Please include the 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.

NOTES

10 11

2955 Kerner Blvd.
San Rafael, CA 94901
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [email protected]

www.berkeleynucleonics.com