Fluke 6000-530B User Manual

Victoreen® 6000-530B

Image Intensifier Ion Chamber

March 2005
Manual No 6000-530B-1 Rev. 4
©2004, 2005 Fluke Corporation, All rights reserved.
All product names are trademarks of their respective companies

Operators Manual

Fluke Biomedical

Radiation Management Services

6045 Cochran Road
Cleveland, Ohio 44139

440.498.2564

120 Andrews Road
Hicksville, New York 11801

516.870.0100

www.flukebiomedical.com/rms

Table of Contents

Section 1: General Information................................................................................... 1-1

1.1 General Description ..................................................................................... 1-1

1.2 Application .................................................................................................. 1-1

1.3 Specifications............................................................................................... 1-1

1.4 Receiving Inspection.................................................................................... 1-2

1.5 Storage ........................................................................................................ 1-3

1.6 Procedures, Warnings, and Cautions .......................................................... 1-3

Section 2: Theory of Operation................................................................................... 2-1

2.1 Theory of Operation..................................................................................... 2-1

Section 3: Operation.................................................................................................... 3-1

3.1 Installation.................................................................................................... 3-1

3.2 Setup ........................................................................................................... 3-1

Section 4: Maintenance, Calibration and Troubleshooting...................................... 4-1

4.1 Maintenance ................................................................................................ 4-1

4.2 Calibration.................................................................................................... 4-1

4.3 Troubleshooting ........................................................................................... 4-1

4.4 Applicable Drawings and Bill of Materials .................................................... 4-2

i

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Introduction

General Description

1

Section 1

Introduction

1.1 General Description

The Model 6000-530B Image Intensifier Ion Chamber is a low profile ion chamber designed to measure
diagnostic
x-rays.

1.2 Application

The Model 6000-530B Image Intensifier Ion Chamber is specifically designed for measurement of
exposure rate at the input phosphor of fluoroscopic image intensifier tubes. Its sensitive area and form
factors have been adapted for placement inside the spot film tray of common image intensifier systems.
Also included is a detachable handle for easy insertion and removal. When the host instrument is a Model
6000 series or a Model 4000M+, precise measurements may be made at low exposure rates (down to 10
μR/min) if the Model 6000-530B Preamplifier is used (See the Model 06-524- 2000 manual for operating
instructions).

1.3 Specifications

Chamber

Volume

Nominal Sensitivity

Housing Material

Housing Color

Housing Size

Surface Area

Weight

Handle Length

Height

Cable Length

Cable Termination

Window Thickness

150 cm

45 nC/R

Acrylic

Clear

6.5 in diameter (16.5 cm diameter)

110 cm

30 oz (840 g)

16.5 in (41.9 cm)

0.720 in

10 ft (3 m)

BNC/Banana

.110 in (2.79 mm)

3

2

, 5.5 in diameter

Total Attenuation

Operating Voltage

Compatible With

0.275 mm AI equivalent @ 30 keV

200 – 300 V DC

Model 6000 Series, 4000M+, & RAD-CHECK® PLUS

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Victoreen 6000-530B

Operators Manual

Chamber Energy Dependence

kVCP

60 M60 1.68 5.0 1.04
75 - 4.1 4.8 1.00*
100 M100 5.1 5.1 1.06
150 M150 10.2 5.4 1.12

*Calibration Point

Figure 1-1. Model 6000-530B Energy Response

NIST Approx. HVL AL Coul/μRx 10

-

Correction

1.4 Receiving Inspection

Upon receipt of the unit:

1. Inspect the carton(s) and contents for damage. If damage is evident, file a claim with the carrier and

notify Fluke Biomedical, Radiation Management Services at 440.248.9300.

2. Remove the contents from the packing material.

3. Verify that all items listed on the packing list have been received and are in good condition.

NOTE

If any of the listed items are missing or damaged,
notify Fluke Biomedical.

1.5 Storage

The storage requirements for this instrument are listed below.

1. The instrument shall be stored in a cool, dry location.

2. If the instrument is taken from it’s current location and is to be placed in a new location with a

different ambient temperature, allow the instrument to reach the new location’s ambient temperature
before applying power.

1-2

Introduction

Procedures, Warnings and Cautions

1

1.6 Procedures, Warnings and Cautions

The equipment described in this manual is intended to be used for the detection and measurement of
ionizing radiation. It should be used only by persons who have been trained in the proper interpretation of
its readings and the appropriate safety procedures to be followed in the presence of radiation.

Although the equipment described in this manual is designed and manufactured in compliance with all
applicable safety standards, certain hazards are inherent in the use of electronic and radiometric
equipment.

Warnings and Cautions are presented throughout this document to alert the user to potentially
hazardous situations. A Warning is a precautionary message preceding an operation that has the
potential to cause personal injury or death. A Caution is a precautionary message preceding an operation
that has the potential to cause permanent damage to the equipment and/or loss of data. Failure to comply
with Warnings and Cautions is at the user’s own risk and is sufficient cause to terminate the warranty
agreement between Fluke Biomedical and the customer.

Adequate warnings are included in this manual and on the product itself to cover hazards that may be
encountered in normal use and servicing of this equipment. No other procedures are warranted by Fluke
Biomedical. It shall be the owner’s or user’s responsibility to see to it that the procedures described here
are meticulously followed, and especially that Warnings and Cautions are heeded. Failure on the part of
the owner or user in any way to follow the prescribed procedures shall absolve Fluke Biomedical and its
agents from any resulting liability.

Indicated battery and other operational tests must be performed prior to each use to assure that the
instrument is functioning properly. If applicable, failure to conduct periodic performance tests in
accordance with ANSI N323-1978 (R1983) Radiation Protection Instrumentation Test and Calibration,
paragraphs 4.6 and 5.4, and to keep records thereof in accordance with paragraph 4.5 of the same
standard, could result in erroneous readings or potential danger. ANSI N323-1978 becomes, by this
reference, a part of this operating procedure.

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Theory of Operation

Theory of Operation

2

Section 2

Theory of Operation

2.1 Theory Of Operation

An ionization chamber consists of a defined volume of air in which ions produced by radiation passing
through the chamber can be collected and measured. The Model 6000-530B is a parallel plate ion
chamber, consisting of a guarded center electrode placed between two outer plates, which also serve as
windows. A potential difference in the range of approximately 200 - 300 volts is placed across the plates
of the ion chamber (the high voltage applied to the ion chamber will depend on the host instrument used).
When ionizing radiation passes through the chamber, ion pairs are produced, each pair consisting of one
positive and one negative ion. Under the influence of the electric field produced by the potential on the
plates, the ions move toward their oppositely charged plate. Upon arrival, they are neutralized by the free
charges on the plates, taking an electron from the negative plate and adding an electron to the positive
plate. This causes a current to flow through the external electronics connected to the plates, the
magnitude of which is proportional to the rate of exposure to radiation.

The sensitivity of an ion chamber depends on the number of air molecules in the chamber, in fact these
quantities are directly proportional. The number of molecules is a function of volume, temperature, and
pressure. The volume of air in the chamber is fixed, but since it communicates with the atmosphere,
temperature and pressure will vary. The chambers are calibrated at Fluke Biomedical at a temperature of
22°C and a pressure of 760 mmHg. A correction factor should be applied to the reading given by the ion
chamber, based on the ambient temperature and barometric pressure at the time the measurement is
made. For diagnostic x-ray use, this is usually unnecessary since the errors are on the order of 0.3% per
degree Celsius and 0.1% per mmHg. In any event, the correction factor is calculated by the following
expression:

cf = 760
P 295.16

Where T is the temperature in degrees Celsius and P is the pressure in mmHg.

x T + 273.16

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Operators Manual

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3.1 Installation

Operation

Installation

3

Section 3

Operation

Ensure all power is removed prior to installing the
Model
6000-530B Ion Chamber.

Installation of the Model 6000-530B consists of connecting the optional preamp to the host equipment, if
desired, providing an electrical interface to the ion chamber, and performing a calibration. A handle is also
included with the ion chamber for placing the ion chamber in the spot film tray of an image intensifier
assembly.

Electrical Interface

Final electrical interface connections between the preamplifier, the Ion Chamber, and the host instrument
are listed in Table 3-1, and are shown in the applicable drawing number 6000-530B for the Model 6000­530B Ion Chamber

Table 3-1. Electrical Interface Connections

Connector Description

BNC Ion Chamber Output
HV (BIAS) Ion Chamber High Voltage

CAUTION

3.2 Setup

Because the Model 6000-530B Ion Chamber may be used with many commercially available
electrometers and dosimeters, please refer to the applicable instrument manual for set up and calibration.

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Operators Manual

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Maintenance, Calibration and Troubleshooting

Maintenance

4

Section 4

Maintenance, Calibration and Troubleshooting

4.1 Maintenance

The Model 6000-530B Ion Chamber requires no routine maintenance, other than routine inspection of the
chamber for damage.

4.2 Calibration

The Model 6000-530B Ion Chamber is accompanied by the chamber’s sensitivity on the side of the ion
chamber. If sensitivity factor is not available, the ion chamber may be returned to Fluke Biomedical so
that a new sensitivity factor may be obtained, or by the customer by intercomparison with a known ion
chamber.

Obtain the value of chamber sensitivity in
dimensions of exposure per unit charge and the
charge calibration factor for the host instrument in
dimensions of charge per displayed exposure unit,
prior to referring to the applicable preamplifier
manual.

NOTE

4.3 Troubleshooting

Extreme care must be used when troubleshooting a
system that has power applied. All standard
troubleshooting precautions apply.

Once a problem has been located, remove all
power before continuing with the repair.

Personnel performing the troubleshooting must be
familiar with the operation of the system and the
location of each piece of equipment used.

Troubleshooting consists of checking the wiring and verifying inputs/outputs are present on all
connectors. If a problem develops with the Ion Chamber, return the chamber to Fluke Biomedical.

WARNING

WARNING

CAUTION

4-1

Victoreen 6000-530B

Operators Manual

NOTE

If a problem cannot be resolved by applying the
troubleshooting procedures described above,
contact Fluke Biomedical at 440 248.9300 for
assistance.

4.4 Applicable Drawings and Bill of Materials

Drawing Description

6000-530B Model 6000-530B Ion Chamber Assembly

Bill of Material

6000-530B Model 6000-530B Ion Chamber Assembly

Description

4-2

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Fluke Biomedical

Radiation Management Services

6045 Cochran Road
Cleveland, Ohio 44139

440.498.2564

120 Andrews Road
Hicksville, New York 11801

516.870.0100

www.flukebiomedical.com/rms