User manual (before May 2011)
Contents
1. The first measurement result displayed is equivalent to the average value of 4 short cycles The second result displayed is equivalent to the average value of two measurement cycles The third result is equivalent to three measurement cycles and all the following results are equivalent to the average of the 4 prece ding results In order to calculate the average the counter analyzes the variations of the raw values in relation to the results of the previous measure ments If the acceleration exceeds a predetermined value the last raw result will be given instead of the average For example if the result of three measurements averages at 0 20uSv h and the raw value of the fourth cycle is 0 80uSv h the result of the fourth measurement will not represent an average of the 4 previous cycles and so 0 80uSv h and the icon will appear This function will enable you to quickly detect rapid changes in the level of radiation Switching the counter off To switch the counter off press on the big button OFF and keep but ton pressed down until all messages disappear from the screen 20 21 HOW TO CARRY OUT MEASURES CORRECTLY Because of the statistical nature of radioactivity the average value of at least 5 measures carried out under the same conditions can be conside red to be of interest especially in the case of low levels The ambient atmosphere is subject to significant fluctuations from one measurement cycle to another2. Autonomy Weight without batteries X Rays Gamma rays and B ta particles X B and y 40 seconds 0 5s uRem h or uSv h Geiger M ller tube 3 digits cycle symbols on LCD 5 to 999 uRem h 0 05 to 9 99 uSv h 30 60 120 0 3 0 6 1 2 0 1 to 1 225 MeV 350 keV to 1 5 MeV 1 or 2 AAA batteries 5 C to 40 C 20 C to 50 C Less than 80 RH at 25 C 550 hours 90g 26 2f COMMON RADIOACTIVE OBJECTS Alarm clocks and watches Twenty years ago the hands of an alarm clock or watch were luminescent The substance used were usually Radium or other radioactive substances Measurements taken next to the face of an alarm clock or watch can reach 600p Rem h It is best to avoid wearing such a watch Gas lamp incandescent mantles When camping you might have used gas lamps A mantle 1s adapted to the lamp and once heated by the gas it will emit light by incandescence Levels of irradiation Levels measured vary from 15 to 360 uRem h when in direct contact At dis tances exceeding 50 cm rays are no longer detected You can protect yourself from radiations by keeping at a distance of more than 50 cm from a mantle Avoid putting a mantle in your pocket Lightning conductors Fifty years after Benjamin Franklin discovered the lightning conductor in 1760 a Hungarian thought of placing a radioactive source at the tip of a lightning conductor He thought that the radioactivity would ionize the air around the tip of
3. First measure the level of radiation which provides the background noise You can then analyze actual objects position the left side of the counter which has openings close to the object which is potentially emitting B or y rays If the measure ment exceeds the background noise level the object is radioactive and the Radex Geiger counter will enable you to estimate the dose debit when in contact with or at a distance from the object If the measure ment is equal to that of the background noise you can on the basis of a first analysis consider that the object is not radioactive It is however possible that it contains radioactive elements emitting or y rays but in too feeble an intensity to emerge from the background noise These elements are generally radiotoxic if ingested In the event of radioactive contamination of liquids the measurement of the dose is carried out above the uncovered surface of the liquid The liquid must not come into contact with the surface of the counter and must not penetrate it It is recommended that a polythene bag be used but not more than one layer to protect the counter To detect an occasional source of radiation it is best to rely on the sound signals emitted by the counter It is possible to distinguish B from y rays by using a filter A measure ment taken without a filter is the sum of 8 y rays With a filter like a sheet of aluminium foil paper the measurement is of the y rays only T
4. surrounded by neutrons which gravitate around it like satellites Radioactive substances spontaneously produce Gamma or X and or Beta particles or sometimes Alpha particles Beta particles are electrons Because of their charge they react very strongly to matter They can travel from a few centimetres to a few metres through the air A sheet of aluminium can stop them Alpha particles are helium nuclei 2 protons and 2 neutrons They can travel a few centimetres through the air A sheet of paper can stop them Gamma rays are electromagnetic rays formed during physical pheno mena which take place within the nucleus of the atom Gamma rays can produce ions directly or indirectly ions are atoms or molecules with an electric charge which is not nil while they travel through matter They can travel dozens of metres through the air A thick quantity of lead and concrete can significantly reduce their impact Tested by the LCIE X rays are similar to Gamma rays but are created during physical phe nomena happening at the level of the electronic procession of the atom They are used in medicine and can rarely be found in nature THRESHOLD LEVELS OF RADIOACTIVITY There is no threshold under which radioactivity is harmless Any dose even very slight causes a health hazard The greater the dose is the greater the risk of cancer or genetic anomaly The relation between the risk and the dose is considered to be linear Indeed the Internation
5. GEIGER COUNTER RADEX RD1503 CONTENTS Precautions to be taken before use Presentation of the Radex Geiger Counter Information on radioactivity Threshold levels of radioactivity Calculation of average doses Layout of the Radex Geiger Counter LCDscreen Summary Positioning of batteries How to use the menu How to change the measurement units Alert threshold Settings After sales service Information Potential faults Instructions for use How to carry out measures correctly Effects of radioactivity Natural irradiation Artificial irradiation Contamination and concentration The units Technical features Common radioactive objects Guarantee PRECAUTIONS TO BE TAKEN BEFORE USE gt Regularly check that the batteries are in good working order If the screen indicates nothing or 0 or 1 uRem h you need to change the batteries Remove them from the counter if it is unused for a long period of time gt Do not open the casing the detection tube is under high voltage gt The counter is not water proof and must therefore not be used in rain or placed in water If water happens to seep into the counter you must switch it off wipe it with a soft piece of fabric and put it in a warm and dry place to dry out the inside of the counter gt Do not knock or drop the counter and keep from dust and humidity gt Do not allow aggressive chemical substances like acids alkali sol vents etc to drop on the counter and avoid pla
6. al commission on Radiological protection ICRP proposed in 1990 that the equivalent of the maximum dose should be of one millisievert per year that is to say 11 4uRem h on average This norm concerns doses other than those due to medical examinations or natural radioactivity The former norm which is still occasionally used was of 5millisieverts per year but it included all of these different types of radiation The ICRP estimates that each millisievert is responsible for 60 extra cancers 50 of which are lethal and 13 genetic anomalies per million persons CALCULATION OF AVERAGE DOSES You must take into account the radiation levels corresponding to the places you are usually in and the amount of time you usually spend there in order to calculate an average dose Example Dwelling 20uRem h 12 hours a day Work place 30uRem h 8 hours a day Other places 10uRem h 4 hours a day Average dose 20x12 30x8 10x4 520 u Rem for 24 hours Therefore 520 24 21 6 uRem h LAYOUT OF THE RADEX O EPERE ate mmmaal an e Do o m 1 Liquid crystal display LCD 2 Menu button with its icon displayed on the screen The button has three functions menu choose change 3 The cursor button with its icon displayed shift on the screen This button will be used in the menu as a cursor 4 The ON OFF button The button has 4 functions It enables you to switch the counter on light
7. been or are incor correctly Check ched on rectly positioned polarities Message p Batteries running low Replace the batteries on LCD or empty 18 19 HOW TO USE YOUR COUNTER Switching the counter on To switch the counter on press the big button the screen will display RD1503 Measuresments The counter starts to count the ionizing rays as soon each ionisation is recorded and accompanied by an icon and a short sound signal if the sound option has been activated and the threshold level option deacti vated The display of the icon on the LCD is proportional to the dose 10 seconds after switching the counter on the first result of the short measurement cycle and an icon appears Corresponds to a first short measurement cycle Corresponds to a second short measurement cycle l Corresponds to a third short measurement cycle The second and third short measurement cycles average out with the previous cycles The short measurement cycle lasts 10 seconds It is meant to rapidly provide you with a first result A more reliable result will be obtained after a first measurement cycle of 40 seconds indication a first numerical result will indicate the quantity of ionizing rays detec tedand the side of a square will appear Corresponds to one measurement cycle Corresponds to two measurement cycles Corresponds to three measurement cycles Corresponds to four measurement cycles
8. ces where these substances can be found gt Do not wipe with abrasives gt Do not place the counter in a micro wave oven and do not place it near an ionizer or ozone generator which has been switched on gt Do not expose the counter to direct sun or fluorescent light for any length of time gt Do not allow foreign bodies to penetrate the counter through its ope nings gt The accuracy of the counter is compatible with domestic use In the event of extremely abnormal detection call a specialised organisa tion gt If the counter has been stored in a cold place leave it at room tem perature for at least one hour to avoid condensation gt Do not use the counter otherwise than in the stipulated environment PRESENTATION OF THE RADEX GEIGER COUNTER The Radex Geiger counter RD1503 is a particularly sensitive detector of Beta particles and X and Gamma rays called ionizing rays It measures the Beta particles and ionizations created by X and Gamma rays in 10 second cycles to indicate the quantity of energy transmitted to matter over a certain amount of time However the Geiger counters cannot identify the different radioactive elements The measurement units which are used are micro Rems per hour uRem h or micro sieverts per hour uSv h They correspond to the dose received by the human body over a period of one hour INFORMATION ON RADIOACTIVITY Matter is made up of atoms Each atom consists of a nucleus which 1s
9. e sending the counter back check that the batteries have been correctly inserted this is the most common problem
10. e square in the centre of the screen means that ioni zing rays have been detected 11 Indication of recorded particles SUMMARY Positioning of batteries Place two or one AAA bat tery in the battery compart ment The polarity of the contacts or are indicated in the compartment Switching the counter on and off To switch the counter on press on the big button The message RD1503 will then appear on the screen To switch the detector off press on the same button for a long time SCREEN RD1503 Results The first measurements dose debit will be displayed within ten seconds 11 Enter the menu Press on the Menu button The contents of the menu will appear If not modified the following features apply Measurement units uSv h Alert level 0 30 uSv h Audio low Lighting Off Choice of menu The movements of the cursor in the menu are done with the Cursor button The selection of choices 1s done with the Menu button Leaving the menu To leave the menu use the OFF button To switch the counter off press on the OFF button until messages on the screen are no longer displayed INSTALLATION OF BATTERIES 1 Remove the lid of the battery compartment 1 2 Insert two AAA battery in the battery compartment 3 3 Replace the lid on the battery compartment NB I To carry out long measurements we recommend use of two batte ries For short measurement
11. easurement unit will correspond to the one pre viously selected J HRem h HRem h HRem h b s L E H lt A E R 1 HEB HO sb enz x 1 Place the cursor in front of the word ALARME Press on the Button CHOISIR The screen number 2 will appear 2 Place the cursor in front of the alarm threshold you wish to select Press on the button CHOISIR to validate the chosen unit The symbol will appear in front of the threshold you have selected 3 To return to the main menu press on the RETOUR button If no threshold has been selected a beep will be heard each time an ionizing ray passes through the tube This 1s the mode used when looking for a source of radio activity ADJUSTMENTS The REGLAGE section enables you to make adjustments to the sound alarm and the lighting h d i A RE I E Cz cmm 4 Adjustments to the lighting 1 Place the curser in REGLAGE and press on the button CHOISIR Screen number 2 will appear 2 Select ECLAIRAGE with the cursor Validate with the CHOISIR button Screen number 2 will appear 3 Select ON or OFF button depending on whether you want to have your LCD lit up or not Validate with the button CHANGER 4 To return to the main menu press twice on the button RETOUR The lighting of the LCD is activated by pressing the big button if the function ECLAIRAGE enables you to that is to say if you have pre viously se
12. he difference is thus the quantity of DB rays EFFECTS OF RADIOACTIVITY The ionization of the molecules in the human body can cause disorders capable of causing cancerous tumours and genetic mutations likely to create hereditary abnormalities Parts of the body most sensitive to radiation in decreasing order 1 The reproductive glands of both sexes hereditary abnormality 2 Breasts cancer 3 Red bone marrow leukaemia 4 Lungs 5 Thyroid gland 6 Bones 7 Muscle tissue 8 Skin NATURAL IRRADIATION Sedimentary soil 4u Rem h on average according to the region Granitic soil 20 times more than sedimentary soil radioacti vity of 8000Bq kg Radon This gas is a product of uranium which migrates through the soil and stagnates in dwellings It emits Alpha particles and some Gamma rays Cosmic rays 3 4uRem h at sea level 10 3 to 3000m The human body 2 3 to 17 7 uRem h linked with ingestion and inhalation Water and food 5 7 uRem h non contaminated products ARTIFICIAL IRRADIATION Medical 11 4 uRem h average year x rays radiotherapy 22 T V screen 0 11 uRem h Nuclear tests 51 3 u Rem in 50 years average diluted atmos pheric fallout Cosmic rays are reduced by the atmosphere their effects are thus increased with altitude The level can reach 300uRem h in an plane at an altitude of 10 000 m especially near the North or South Pole Average natural radiation levels per region in
13. l manufacturing faults and material defects within the limits of the following terms The guarantee is strictly limited to the exchange or repair of parts which have been found faulty after examination and control in our factory to the exclusion of any other form of indemnity The period of guarantee is of one year starting on the date of purchase The guarantee for spare parts and labour is valid on the condition that the counter has been used correctly and in compliance with the instructions given by the manufacturer The guarantee does not cover deteriorations or accidents due to negligence or modifications or attempts to modify the counter in any way The guarantee does not cover incidents due to fortuitous or unavoidable major events unconnected with the manufacturer or deterioration due to normal wear and tear of the counter The guarantee ceases to be valid if the buyer has opened or attempted to open the casing The guarantee only covers counters which have been sent back to the retailer with a copy of the invoice The cost of sending the counter to the retailer must be covered by the buyer Time spent repairing the counter while under guarantee does not prolong the period of guarantee The terms of the present guarantee do not prevent the buyer from benefiting from the advantages of the legal guarantee Article 1641 and fol lowing of the Code civil afforded in the event of hidden faults and defects Befor
14. lected ON The lighting is activated for approximately 3 seconds To prolong use of lighting you must press the big button several times The lighting enables you to see the LCD in the dark In day time the use of lighting is not necessary Please note that the use of lighting greatly reduces the autonomy of the counter 16 17 Adjustments to the sound alarm p Pas U H I i ec mm 4 CHANGER RETOUR e F 1 Place the cursor on REGLAGE press the button CHOISIR Screen number 2 will appear 2 Select AUDIO with the cursor and the symbol Validate with the button CHOISIR Screen number two will appear 3 Select HAUT BAS SILENCE with the cursor Validate with the button CHANGER 4 To return to the main menu press twice on the button RETOUR AFTER SALES SERVICE The SAV section indicates the telephone number of our after sales service in France 1 Place the cursor on SAV Press on the button CHOISIR 2 To return to the main menu press on the button RETOUR INFORMATION The section INFOS indicates the Web site of NanoSense where you will find information and links on radioactivity 1 Place the cursor on INFOS Press on the button CHOISIR 2 To return to the main menu press on the button RETOUR POSSIBLE FAULTS Possible fault FOSSIDIE CAUSE OE Corrective action breakdown No display on screen Batteries have not Insert the batteries when counter is swit
15. micro Rem h 23 CONTAMINATION AND CONCENTRATION The following diagram illustrates in a simple way how radioactive ele ments are propagated and how they can be concentrated in food Beware game such as migrant birds ducks woodcocks can be radioactive as most of them come from Eastern Europe where nume rous contaminated zones are to be found aus Atmosphere R Gas emissions 3 SS WS N wee Emissions 2 Nuclear plant 24 UNITS UNITS EQUIVALENT DEFINITION Curie C1 or 1 Curie 37 billion Measures the number Becquerel Bq Becquerels of disintegration per 1 Becquerel 27 pico second ACTIVITY curies Roentgen R 1 Roentgen 2 5 81074 Measures the energy in C Kg the air DOSE Rad Reontgen 1 Gray 100 Rad 1 Measures the energy absorbed dose or joule Kg received per mass unit Gray Gy Rad 0 01 Gy ABSORBED DOSE Rem Rad Rem 7 10 milli Sievert Effect of the radiations on the human body or Sievert Sv 1 Sv 100 Rem 100 R EQUIVALENT OF EFFICIENT DOSE 25 TECHNICAL FEATURES Ionizing radiations detected Measurement cycle Measurement units Sensor Display Measurement range in uRem h Measurement range in uSv h Alarm thresholds in urRem h in uSv h Energy of the detected X and rays Energy of the detected 8 particles Runs on Range of temperature for the storage Range of temperature for the use Range of humidity
16. s you can use only one battery 2 Do not use an old battery with a new one 3 Remove the batteries if you do not need to use the counter for a long time 12 13 HOW TO USE THE MENU The menu enables the user to make certain choices Measurements are established on entering the menu and re established on quitting the menu E Hou ERR BUR RD 9 cA L um TEIL Gba Oo moe tt eHEHU OFF C BCLOTDOID i Hl 77 ITI E To enter the main menu press on the MENU button The word Menu and a reference number will appear A cursor will appear in front of the first item in the menu To choose an item press on the CHOISIR button To move on to another item on the menu use the button to move the Cursor To quit the menu use the RETOUR button All the choices made in the menu are saved after the counter has been switched off CHANGING THE MEASUREMENT UNITS PY ESU h HRem h You can choose bet ween u Sv h and u Rem h CHANGER KETOUKG amp e cv 1 Place the cursor on UNITES Press on the choisir button and screen number 2 will appear 2 Select the measurement unit with the cursor and the symbol Validate with the CHANGER button 3 To return to the main menu press on the RETOUR button 14 15 ALARM THRESHOLDS The Alarme section enables you to choose between three levels of alert If the dose debit exceeds the threshold value a sound signal will be heard The m
17. the lightning conductor and make it conductive and that thunder bolts would in consequence be directed there Although the efficiency of this process was uncertain it was patented and commercialized in 1932 It is thought that approximately 30 000 radioactive lightning conductors still stand on our roofs in France In 1983 a decree forbade the use of radioactive elements in the manufacture of lightning conductors leaving a period of 4 years for manufacturers to comply In 1986 a new decree also forbade the import and sale of such lightning conductors The risks The radionuclides used are extremely radiotoxic and the period of radioacti vity lasts for a very long time The sources remain radioactive for years sometimes thousands of years For example the radioactive period of Americium 241 is of 433 years This is the amount of time it takes for radioactivity to be reduced by half It can be calculated that for a source of 30 million Becquerels in 1987 there will be 15 million in 2420 7 5 million in 2863 and 3 7 million in 3296 etc The radioactive period of Radium 226 is much longer 16000 years The rate at which it diminishes 1s thus much slower Radioactive sources used in light ning conductors are thus going to remain dangerous for generations It is important to look after their removal and place of storage to limit risks of dis persion Franklin France Duval Messien 28 GUARANTEE The counter is guaranteed against al
18. up the LCD backtrack in the menu switch the counter off 5 Battery compartment 6 Geiger Muller tube The icons indicate the function of each button to the user making it thus very easy to use The icons will be described in detail below LCD SCREEN 1 Icon showing state of batteries agg Fully charged batteries Jg Run down batteries E Replacement of batteries needed 2 Units Ema micro Sievert per hour ELITFHS micro Roentgen per hour 3 Icon showing the sound alarm threshold levels With uSv h cee 0 30 uSv h 0 60 uSv h 1 20 uSv h With uRem h 30 uRem h 60 uRem h I 120 uRem h Alarm is disactivated 4 Icon showing sound alarm zx Sound alarm activated high or low level g Sound alarm is disactivated 5 Backlight icon ig Backlighr on d Backlight off 6 Functions of ON OFF button see page 6 7 Measurement results uSv h or uRem h 8 Functions of the CURSOR button see page 6 9 Functions of the MENU button seepage 6 10 The icon showing the number of measurement cycles carried out corresponds to the first short measurement cycle corresponds to the second short measurement cycle ll corresponds to the third short measurement cycle corresponds to one measurement cycle corresponds to two measurement cycles corresponds to three measurement cycles correspond to four or more measurement cycles The display of th
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