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How to Use the Radalert 100. This presentation is intended to give the user a brief overview of how to operate the Radalert 100. For a complete understanding of this instrument please refer to the operating manual. What the Radalert 100 Does.
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How to Use the Radalert 100 International Medcom, Inc. 707-823-0336 www.medcom.com
This presentation is intended to give the user a brief overview of how to operate the Radalert 100. For a complete understanding of this instrument please refer to the operating manual. International Medcom, Inc. 707-823-0336 www.medcom.com
What the Radalert 100 Does • The Radalert 100 measures the rate of the following types of nuclear radiation • Alpha • Beta • Gamma • X-radiation • The Radalert 100 measures the amount of radiation in • Counts per minute (CPM & CPS) or • MilliRoentgens per hour (mR/hr) or MicroSieverts per hour (µSv/hr). • The Radalert 100 can audibly alert the user when a pre-determined level of nuclear radiation occurs. International Medcom, Inc. 707-823-0336 www.medcom.com
How to Turn On Radalert 100 • Turn the Radalert 100 on by moving the lower switch from Off to On or Audio. • On--The Radalert 100 is measuring radiation but there is no audio. • Audio--The Radalert 100 is measuring radiation, and beeping with each count of radiation that is detected. • When the Radalert 100 is first turned on it does a 3 second system check, displaying all the indicators and numbers. • After the system check is finished the Radalert 100 shows the current radiation level. International Medcom, Inc. 707-823-0336 www.medcom.com
How to Select the Operating Mode • Move the upper switch to • Total / Timer • CPM / CPS (counts per minute or counts per second). • mR/hr or µSv/hr(milliRoentgen per hour or microSievert per hour). • In Total / Timer mode the Radalert 100 starts totaling the counts it registers, and updates the numeric display each time it registers a count. • In the CPM / CPS and mR/hr / µSv/hrmodes the numeric display is updated every three-seconds. • The CPM / CPS mode is the easiest to understand. International Medcom, Inc. 707-823-0336 www.medcom.com
How to Switch the Modein the Utility Menu • To switch the mode from mR/hr to µSv/hr and from CPM to CPS: • Turn the Radalert 100 off. • Hold down the + button on the end panel while turning the Radalert 100 on. The menuicon will appear at the lower right corner. • Scroll through the numbers on the screen by pushing the + and - buttons until you get to 2. • Press the SET button on the end panel. Press + for mR/hr(CPM) and - for µSv/hr (CPS). • Press the SET button twice. International Medcom, Inc. 707-823-0336 www.medcom.com
What is Background Count? • The background count is the normal level of nuclear radiation that is occurring at a given time and place. • Some sources of background radiation are: • The sun • Minerals in the earth • Residual radiation from nuclear testing and other man made sources • Nuclear radiation is a naturally occurring phenomenon. When the Radalert 100 is on it is normally measuring the background count. • A user should determine the normal background count to be able to set the appropriate alarm level in the case of abnormal levels of nuclear radiation. The mesh screen covers the end window of the Geiger-Mueller sensor. International Medcom, Inc. 707-823-0336 www.medcom.com
How to Determine the Average Background Count • Turn the Radalert 100 on, and put it in CPM / CPS mode. • Wait one minute until the hourglass icon on the left side of the screen disappears. After this icon disappears the Radalert 100 updates every three-seconds. • Take 30 consecutive minute readings and record each of the readings. • Add together each of the readings and divide this number by 30 (the length of your timed count). • This number is the average background count. International Medcom, Inc. 707-823-0336 www.medcom.com
Considerations Involved in Finding the Best Level to Set the Alert • The ideal alert setting provides enough sensitivity to detect any increase in the radiation level above naturally occurring background levels without false alarms caused by normal random variations in the background radiation level. • A good setting for one location may cause alerts in another location since background radiation levels can vary due to • altitude • geography • radon gas • radioactive materials in buildings • mineral content in soil and rocks • Each user should balance the need for sensitivity against false alarms occurring from local geography and conditions. • A good alert level can be developed experimentally or through the formula found on the next slide. • Use this number and adjust it as necessary for local conditions. International Medcom, Inc. 707-823-0336 www.medcom.com
One Way to Determine Where to Set the Alert • Use the Radalert 100 in CPM / CPS mode to measure counts for 30 consecutive minutes. • Record each reading. • Add the readings and divide the sum by 30. • Find the difference between each reading and the average. • Square each of these differences (multiply it by itself). • Total the squares of the differences and divide the sum by 29. • Find the square root of this sum. This number is the standard deviation. • Multiply the standard deviation by 4 and add this number to the average from step 3 above. Set the alert level to this number. International Medcom, Inc. 707-823-0336 www.medcom.com
Put the Radalert 100 in CPM / CPS mode. Press the Set button on the end panel. A nuclear radiation icon will appear on the left side of the screen. Use the + or - buttons to set the alert level to the desired setting. Press the Set button twice. The nuclear icon remains on. This icon means that the alert is set. Each time you turn the Radalert 100 on you will have to turn on the alert feature, but the setting will remain the same. How to Set the Alert International Medcom, Inc. 707-823-0336 www.medcom.com
Turn the Radalert 100 over. Remove the battery cover. Detach the 9 volt alkaline battery from the wire connector and replace. The battery life for the Radalert 100 is approximately 2,160 hours at normal background, average 625 hours at 1 mR/hr with beeper off. How to Change the Battery International Medcom, Inc. 707-823-0336 www.medcom.com