International Medcom Radalert 100X Operating Manual
X
Nuclear Radiation Monitor
Operating Manual
© 1996, 2005, 2013 International Medcom, Inc.
All rights reserved.
Contents
1 Introduction ..........................................................................1
How the Radalert 100X Detects Radiation ..............................1
Precautions ............................................................................2
2 Features ................................................................................3
The Display ............................................................................4
The Switches .........................................................................5
The Detector .........................................................................6
The Input/Output Ports ..........................................................6
3 Operation ..............................................................................7
Units of Measurement ...........................................................7
Starting the Radalert 100X .....................................................7
Operating in the Dose and Count Rate Modes .......................7
Operating in Total/Timer Mode ..............................................8
Operating Ranges and Response Times ................................10
Using the Alert ....................................................................11
The Utility Menu ..................................................................12
Interfacing to an External Device ..........................................13
4 Common Procedures ...........................................................14
Establishing the Background Count .....................................14
Environmental Area Monitoring ...........................................15
Checking an Object .............................................................15
5 Maintenance .......................................................................16
Calibration ..........................................................................16
Troubleshooting and Service ................................................19
6 Basics of Radiation and Its Measurement .............................21
Ionizing Radiation ................................................................21
Measuring Radiation ............................................................23
Radiation Measurement Units ..............................................24
Higher Than Normal Readings .............................................24
Appendix: Technical Specifications ...........................................26
Limited Warranty .....................................................................28
1 Introduction
The Radalert 100X is a health and safety instrument that measures
alpha,
beta, gamma, and X-ray radiation. Its applications include:
• Monitoring possible radiation exposure while working with
radionuclides
• Ensuring compliance with regulatory standards
• Checking for leakage from X-ray machines and other sources
• Alerting you with an audible alarm if the radiation goes above an alert
level that you set
• Screening for environmental contamination or environmental sources
of radioactivity
• Connecting to a computer or data logger to record and tabulate your
data
How the Radalert 100X Detects Radiation
The Radalert 100X uses a Geiger-Mueller tube to detect radiation.
The
Geiger tube generates a pulse of electrical current each time
radiation
is electron100X displays the
per hour (µSv/hr),
second (CPS), or total
per hour (mR/hr) and
The number of counts detected by the Radalert 100X varies from
readreading is
the average is
information, see
passes through the tube and causes ionization. Each pulse
ically detected and registers as a count. The Radalert
counts in the mode you choose: microsieverts
either counts per minute (CPM) or counts per
counts. In conventional units, milliroentgens
CPM are used.
ing to reading due to the random nature of radioactivity. A
expressed more accurately as an average over time, and
more accurate over a longer time period. For more
“Operating in Total/Timer Mode” in Chapter 3.
Radalert 100X
1
Precautions
To keep the Radalert 100X in good condition, handle it with care
and
observe the following precautions:
•
Do not contaminate the Radalert 100X by touching it to radioactive
surfaces or materials.
• Do not leave the Radalert 100X in temperatures over 122° F (50° C) or
in direct sunlight for extended periods of time.
• Do not get the Radalert 100X wet. Water can damage the circuitry and
the coating of the mica surface of the Geiger tube.
• Do not put the Radalert 100X in a microwave oven. It cannot measure
microwaves, and you may damage it or the oven.
• If you expect to not use the Radalert 100X for longer than one month,
remove the battery to avoid damage from battery corrosion.
• Change the battery promptly when the battery indicator appears on
the display.
2
Radalert 100X
2 Features
The Radalert 100X measures alpha, beta, gamma, and X-ray radiation.
This chapter briefly describes the Radalert 100X’s functions. For more
information on how to use the Radalert 100X, see Chapter 3,
“Operation.”
The Radalert 100X counts ionizing events and displays the results on
the
liquid crystal
measurement
Whenever the Radalert 100X is operating, the red count light (1)
each time a count (an ionizing event) is detected.
flashes
1 Count
Light
display (LCD) (4). You control which unit of
is shown by using the mode switch.
4 LCD
5 Mode
Switch
6 On/Off/
Audio
Switch
2 Calibration
Input Port
3 Output Port
End Panel
7 +, –, and
Set Buttons
Radalert 100X
8 Alpha
Window
3
The Display
1 Count
Light
2 Calibration
Input Port
3 Output Port
4 LCD
5 Mode
Switch
6 On/Off/
Audio
Switch
End Panel
7 +, –, and
Set Buttons
8 Alpha
Window
or Calibration
Several indicators on the LCD show information about the mode setting,
the current function, and the battery condition.
E Total Mode
D Timer
C Alert Mode
Indicator
B Low Battery
Indicator
A Numeric
Display
F X1000
Mode
G Average
H Calibration
Mode
• e numeric display (A) shows the current radiation level in the unit
specied by the mode switch setting.
• A small battery (B) appears to the le of the numeric display to indicate
low battery voltage.
• A radiation symbol (C) appears when the Alert feature is on.
• An hourglass (D) appears during a timed count.
• TOTAL (E) appears when the Radalert 100X is in Total/Timer mode.
• X1000 (F) appears when the radiation level is displayed in X1000
mode.
•
AVG (G) appears when the Radalert 100X is showing the average reading
for a timed count.
• CAL (H) appears while you are calibrating the Radalert 100X.
• SET (I) appears when you are setting the Timer, the Alert level, or the
calibration factor, or working in the Utility Menu (the numeric display
shows the setting being adjusted instead of the current radiation level).
• e current unit of measurement (J)—CPM, CPS, mR/hr, or µSv/hr—is
displayed to the right of the numeric display.
• MENU (K) appears when you are in the Utility Menu.
• RANGE:Full (L) appears when the radiation level goes beyond the
range that can be displayed.
I Timer, Alert,
Set Mode
J Units of
Measurement
K Menu
L Range Full
4
Radalert 100X
The Switches
The Radalert 100X has two switches on the front and three buttons on
the
end panel. Each switch has three settings, which are described
below.
Mode Switch (5)
Dose Rate. e numeric display shows the current radiation level
in the selected unit of measurement. In SI units it shows the current
radiation level in microsieverts per hour, from .000 to 1100. In conventional units, it shows milliroentgens per hour from .000 to 110.
Count Rate. e display shows the current radiation level in counts
per minute from 0 to 350,000 or in counts per second from 0 to
3500. When X1000 is shown, multiply the numeric reading by 1,000
to get the complete reading.
Total/Timer. e display shows the accumulated total of counts
starting when the switch is turned to this position, from 0 to
9,999,000. When X1000 is shown, multiply the numeric reading
by 1,000 to get the complete reading.
On/Off/Audio Switch (6)
Audio. The Radalert 100X is on, and it makes a clicking sound
for
each radiation event detected.
On. The Radalert 100X is operating, but audio is off.
Off. The Radalert 100X is not operating.
+, –, and SET Buttons (7)
ese buttons are used for setting the alert level and the timer. ey
are also used for calibration and for using the Utility Menu. For
more information, see “Taking a Timed Count,” “Using the Alert,”
and “e Utility Menu” in Chapter 3 and “Calibration” in Chapter 5.
Radalert 100X
5
The Detector
The Radalert 100X uses a Geiger tube to detect radiation. Alpha
radiation
a thin disk
The screened opening at the top of the Radalert 100X is called the
alpha window (8). It allows alpha and low-energy beta and gamma
radiation to penetrate the mica end of the tube.
does not penetrate most solid materials, so this Geiger tube has
of mica, which alpha radiation can penetrate, on its end.
CAUTION: The mica end surface of the Geiger tube is fragile. Be
careful not to let anything penetrate the screen.
The Input/Output Ports
There are two ports on the left side of the Radalert 100X.
e calibration input port (2) is used for calibrating electronically using
a pulse generator. For more information, see “Calibrating Electronically”
in Chapter 5.
The output port (3) below the calibration input port allows you
to
interface the Radalert 100X to a computer, data logger,
earphones, or
information, see
other device using a 3.5 mm stereo plug. For more
“Interfacing to an External Device” in Chapter 3.
6
Radalert 100X
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