Fluke Victoreen 190 Operator's Manual
Victoreen 190
Survey and Count Rate Meter
March 2005
Manual No. 190001 Rev. 8
©2004, 2005 Fluke Corporation, All rights reserved. Printed in U.S.A.
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 Product Description ..................................................................................... 1-1
1.2 Specifications............................................................................................... 1-2
Section 2: Theory of Operation................................................................................... 2-1
2.1 General Circuit Description .......................................................................... 2-1
2.2 Operational Considerations and Applications .............................................. 2-1
Section 3: Operation.................................................................................................... 3-1
3.1 Unpacking and Inspection............................................................................ 3-1
3.2 Storage ........................................................................................................ 3-1
3.3 Battery Installation/Replacement ................................................................. 3-1
3.4 Probe Holder Installation.............................................................................. 3-2
3.5 Adapter Module Installation/Replacement ................................................... 3-3
3.6 Power........................................................................................................... 3-4
3.7 Readout ....................................................................................................... 3-4
3.8 Internal Controls .......................................................................................... 3-4
3.9 High Voltage Adjustment ............................................................................. 3-6
3.10 Detector Sensitivity Adjustment ................................................................... 3-8
3.11 Jam Current Adjustment .............................................................................. 3-8
3.12 Changing the Response Time (RESP TIME)............................................... 3-8
3.13 Resetting the Integrate Value (RESP TIME)................................................ 3-9
3.14 Changing the Operation Mode (MODE)....................................................... 3-9
3.15 External Controls ....................................................................................... 3-11
3.16 Operational Checkout ................................................................................ 3-11
Section 4: Maintenance ............................................................................................... 4-1
4.1 Maintenance ................................................................................................ 4-1
Section 5: Calibration .......................................................................................5-1
5.1 Calibration.................................................................................................... 5-1
Section A: Appendix A.................................................................................................A-1
A-1 Applicable Drawings and Bills of Materials ..................................................A-1
Section B: Appendix B.................................................................................................B-1
B-1 Supplemental Data for the Model 190AC & 190F ........................................ B-1
Section C: Appendix C................................................................................................. C-1
C-1 Adapter Bracket Assembly Kit Installation Instructions ................................C-1
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General Information
Product Description
1
Section 1
General Information
1.1 Product Description
Model 190 is a portable, battery-operated general-purpose survey meter for
use with most scintillation and Geiger-Mueller (GM) radiation detector,
proportional counting probes, and neutron probes. The design combines
CMOS microprocessor technology, automatic range changing, and a Liquid
Crystal Display (LCD) into an easy to use instrument. Refer to Figure 1-1 for
a general view.
The Model 190 is housed in a lightweight, plastic case designed for portability
and durability. Measurement results are indicated on the front panel LCD.
The display includes:
• A 51 element analog bar graph near the top of the display to provide
real time response.
• A scale multiplier, located below the bargraph relates the analog bargraph full scale to the units
displayed.
• Detector range bargraph consisting of five horizontal bars that indicate the quantity of the dynamic
range of the detector in use.
• A 16 character alphanumeric display that (1) provides a digitized average of the bargraph value or
integrated reading with elapsed time, and (2) displays operational information (e.g., such as
response time changes or changes in the units of the display).
• A backlight, activated by either of two front panel switches that provides for operation in dark
environments.
The analog bargraph emulates an analog meter movement and is especially useful in survey applications.
The digitized value is intended for quantitative analysis and data logging applications where an
interpretation of the average reading of the analog bargraph is required.
Figure 1-1. Model 190 Top
The following controls are available from the front panel:
• Light (2) activates the LCD backlight.
• Mode changes the display units.
• Log, if activated, logs currently displayed data or changes current location identifier, depending on
the currently active logging mode (i.e., timed or manual logging).
The optional Infrared Communicator, Model 1901A, is required to activate the Log function.
NOTE
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Operators Manual
• Rate/Integ toggles the alphanumeric display between the digitized rate value and the integrate
value.
• Resp Time changes the response time on the first range or resets the integrate value and elapsed
time (if pressed and held for three seconds).
• Audio toggles the click output associated with counting events in the detector on/off and
acknowledges alarms.
• On/Off turns instrument power on/off when permitted by the microprocessor (i.e., when Logging is
inactive or all logged data has been uploaded to a computer).
The batteries (four) are housed in a separate compartment accessed from the instrument back panel. All
four 9-volt alkaline batteries are required to operate the unit for approximately 200 hours. Visual and
audible low battery indications are provided whenever battery power is low (four minute intervals for the
audible and continuous for the visual after a battery test).
Communication with the Model 190 is accomplished through an optional infrared two-way adapter, Model
190-1A, which mounts at the top of the instrument. The adapter provides positive keying with the
instrument for stable connection and communication.
1.2 Specifications
Radiation Detected: Alpha, Beta, Gamma, or X-ray depending on detector used.
Operating Rang: Rate Mode: CPM: 0-100; 0-1000; 0-10,000; 0-100,000; 0-1,000,000, and 0-
10,000,000. CPS: 0-1, 0-10, 0-100, 0-1000, 0-10,000, 0-100,000, and 0-166,666. μR/hr, mR/hr, R/hr,
μSv/hr, mSv/hr, Gy/hr, dpm, Bq/cm2, & μCi/cm2: Integrate Mode: Counts: 0-100,000,000; displayed
as 4 digits up to 9999 counts, 3 digits plus a K (for thousand) or an M (for Million) at higher counts.
Seconds: 0-65535; displayed as 4 digits up to 9999 seconds, 3 digits in minutes and tenths of minutes
above 9999 seconds. μR, mR, R, cts, d, μSv, mSv, Bq, & μCi: depends on conversion factor of the
probe used.
Accuracy: Within 10% of reading between 10% and 100% of full-scale indication on any range, exclusive
of energy response.
Ranges: Six (6) decades are available for calibration; the number of usable decades is detector
dependent.
Deadtime Correction: Provided above 1000 CPM.
Jam Detection: Adjustable level for determining jam condition; provided in probe adapter modules.
Alarm: Can be set on any decade at 10% to 100% (in increments of 10%) of full scale.
Detector Probes: Part No.: 489-4, 489-35, 489-50, 489-55, 489-60, 489-110C, 491-30, 491-40, 493-50,
425-110A, 425-200, 489-120, 489-200, RP-1 & PRN
NOTE
The Model 190 may be ordered with a BNC probe
adapter (P/N 190070) to allow for compatibility with
other manufacturer’s probes.
Warm-up Time: 15 seconds (diagnostic testing).
1-2
Response Time(Bargraph): Selectable; 24, 12, 6, and 3 seconds.
24 second response time selected:
Scale Range (CPM) Response (seconds)
1 0-100 24
2 0-1000 12
3 0-10K 3
4 0-100K 1.5
5 0-1M 1.5
6 0-10M 0.7
12 second response time selected:
Scale Range (CPM) Response (seconds)
1 0-100 12
2 0-1000 6
3 0-10K 3
4 0-100K 1.5
5 0-1M 1.5
6 0-10M 0.7
6 second response time selected:
Scale Range (CPM) Response (seconds)
1 0-100 6
2 0-1000 3
3 0-10K 1.5
4 0-100K 1.5
5 0-1M 0.7
6 0-10M 0.7
3 second response time selected:
Scale Range (CPM) Response (seconds)
1 0-100 3
2 0-1000 1.5
3 0-10K 0.7
4 0-100K 0.7
5 0-1M 0.7
6 0-10M 0.7
General Information
Specifications
1
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Front Panel Controls
Eight push-button switches: LIGHT (2): either activates the LCD backlight;
MODE: Changes the display units;
LOG: Stores currently displayed data or changes current location identifier, depending on the
currently active logging mode;
RATE/INTEG: Toggles the alphanumeric display between the digitized rate value and the integrate
value;
RESP TIME: Changes the response time on the first range or resets the integrate value and elapsed
time;
AUDIO: Toggles the click output associated with counting events in the detector, turns Audio on/off,
and acknowledges alarm conditions;
ON/OFF: Turns instrument power on/off when permitted by the microprocessor (i.e., when data
logging is inactive or all logged data has been read by a PC).
Internal Controls
Main unit: LCD contrast adjustment and +5 V Power Supply, Probe adapter modules: probe high
voltage, threshold, and detector jam current controls
Environmental Effects
Operating temperature range: 14 F to 140 F (-10 C to 60 C) with alkaline batteries.
Relative humidity range: 0 to 95% non-condensing.
Temperature dependence: Less than 5% of full scale change in the reading when the operating
temperature is in the 20 C to 50 C range.
Batteries
Four 9-volt batteries installed provide up to 200 hours of continuous operation.
Readout
Backlit liquid crystal display includes:
1-4
Theory of Operation
General Circuit Description
2
Section 2
Theory of Operation
2.1 General Circuit Description
A block diagram of the circuit of the Model 190 is shown in Figure 2-1. The CMOS microprocessor is a TI
7000 series microprocessor, capable of addressing 64k bytes of memory. A 32k byte PROM contains the
operating program and an 8k byte RAM provides storage for operational and data logging information.
The microprocessor addresses the display via two display drivers. The microprocessor senses the
keypad directly, with the exception of the ON/OFF switch. The communications is direct from the
microprocessor through its ports, light emitting diodes, and photosensitive transistors. The
microprocessor reads and writes to both EEPROMs and reads count data directly from the probe adapter
module
A probe adapter module connection is provided on the back of the instrument. The probe adapter module
retains the calibration information for a specific probe and contains high voltage and threshold
adjustments for the probe. A portion of the circuit in the probe adapter module provides an adjustable
threshold for current drain through the detector. This circuit is used to detect a jam condition in the
detector and to signal the instrument. The pulse shaping circuit in the module accepts a wide range of
detector input amplitudes and pulse decay times.
Communication with the Model 190 is accomplished through an infrared two-way adapter that mounts at
the top of the instrument. The infrared receiver and transmitter are viewed through two small holes in the
upper edge of the decal covering the LCD.
2.2 Operational Considerations and Applications
Control and Configuration
The Model 190 makes use of two data bases for operation; one is stored in an EEPROM on the main
circuit board and one is stored in an EEPROM in the probe adapter module. The instrument EEPROM
determines which set of configuration and control data codes will be used to define the operating modes.
These codes may be user-modified with the optional Communicator (P/N 190-1A) to tailor the instrument
for a specific application.
For example, any or all of the front panel buttons may be disabled or the unit may be configured to
operate in only one Display Mode. Refer to the Instruction Manual provided with the Communicator for
further details.
Display Calculations
The Model 190 retains all data internally as both counts and counts per minute. All other displays are
calculated from these data sets and stored calibration information in the EEPROMS, allowing the operator
the capability to switch back and forth between the various display modes without affecting the database
used for calculations.
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NOTE
The counts per minute mode does not require a
calibration adjustment because its time base is
based on the highly accurate crystal clock of the
microprocessor. All other displayed values (e.g.,
mR/h and Sv/h) can be derived from the counts per
unit time value if a suitable calibration constant is
used.
Above 384,000 CPM, the counts in a time slot are counted and the value multiplied by the appropriate
factor to determine the actual count rate, which may cause a reduced accuracy specification on the fifth
and sixth scales.
Microprocessor
PROM
RAM
EEPROM
Microprocessor I/O
and BUS
Figure 2-1. Model 190 Block Diagram
Analog
Display
Driver
Digital
Display
Driver
Front
Panel
Keypad
Counter
HV
Supply
Communicator
EEPROM
Display
Power
Supply
Probe
GM Tube
2-2
Deadtime Effects
Theory of Operation
Operational Considerations and Applications
2
The deadtime correction is limited to a maximum multiplier of 3.7 above 106 counts per minute (cpm) 5.4
from 10
rates because of increased counting statistics. The display will indicate “OVER RANGE” if the deadtime
correction is greater than the values listed. This typically happens only on scale 6. In the event of an
overrange indication due to the deadtime, the bar graph portion of the display continues to function and
may be used to observe increased or decreased radiation even though numerical values are not
displayed. The bargraph displays relative values in this mode.
5
to 106 cpm, and 1.6 from 104 to 105 cpm. Larger correction factors are permitted at higher count
Low Battery Indications
Once every 256 seconds the instrument checks the amount of energy remaining in the batteries. When
the values reach a threshold, the instrument simultaneously displays a LOW BATTERY message and
sounds the sounder for a minimum of one second. The amount of time remaining before the unit stops
operating depends on previous use of the instrument. If the instrument is used for longer continuous
periods of time, there will be a slower decrease in available battery life at the battery end point; if the
instrument is on for shorter periods of time, the battery fails more precipitously at the battery end point.
NOTE
The display may prematurely indicate a low battery
if the count rate is high and/or the backlight and/or
Alarm are operational simultaneously.
Response Times
The response times stated in Specifications in Section 1 - Introduction apply to the bargraph display.
Since the digital data is updated only once each second, a filter is used to smooth the readings. There is
approximately two seconds additional response time (10-90% of change) for the digital display.
Range Changing
A hysteresis is built into the range changing of the Model 190 to prevent excessive range changing near a
range change threshold. In addition, internal readings above 10% of the current full scale are allowed for
one full second prior to downscaling. Any reading above the current full scale will cause a range change
to the next higher scale.
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