January 2012International Medcom, Inc. 707-823-0336 How to Use the Radalert 100

January 2012January 2012 International Medcom, Inc. 707-823-0336International Medcom, Inc. 707-823-0336www.medcom.comwww.medcom.com

How to Use the Radalert 100How 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 DoesWhat the Radalert 100 Does The Radalert 100 measures the The Radalert 100 measures the

rate of the following types of rate of the following types of nuclear radiationnuclear radiation AlphaAlpha BetaBeta GammaGamma X-radiationX-radiation

The Radalert 100 measures the The Radalert 100 measures the amount of radiation in amount of radiation in Counts per minute (CPM & CPS) Counts per minute (CPM & CPS)

oror MilliRoentgens per hour (mR/hr) MilliRoentgens per hour (mR/hr)

or MicroSieverts per hour or MicroSieverts per hour ((µSv/hrµSv/hr).).

The Radalert 100 can audibly alert The Radalert 100 can audibly alert the user when a pre-determined the user when a pre-determined level of nuclear radiation occurs.level of nuclear radiation occurs.


How to Turn On Radalert 100How to Turn On Radalert 100 Turn the Radalert 100 on by Turn the Radalert 100 on by

moving the lower switch from moving the lower switch from Off to to On or or Audio.. On--The Radalert 100 is --The Radalert 100 is

measuring radiation but there is measuring radiation but there is no audio.no audio.

Audio--The Radalert 100 is --The Radalert 100 is measuring radiation, and beeping measuring radiation, and beeping with each count of radiation that is with each count of radiation that is detected.detected.

When the Radalert 100 is first When the Radalert 100 is first turned on it does a 3 second turned on it does a 3 second system check, displaying all the system check, displaying all the indicators and numbers.indicators and numbers.

After the system check is finished After the system check is finished the Radalert 100 shows the the Radalert 100 shows the current radiation level.current radiation level.


How to Select the Operating ModeHow to Select the Operating Mode

Move the upper switch toMove the upper switch to Total / Timer CPM / CPS (counts per minute or (counts per minute or

counts per second).counts per second). mR/hr or or µSv/hr (milliRoentgen (milliRoentgen

per hour or microSievert per hour).per hour or microSievert per hour). In In Total / Timer mode the mode the

Radalert 100 starts totaling the Radalert 100 starts totaling the counts it registers, and updates counts it registers, and updates the numeric display each time it the numeric display each time it registers a count.registers a count.

In the In the CPM / CPS and and mR/hr / µSv/hr modes the numeric display modes the numeric display is updated every three-seconds.is updated every three-seconds.

The The CPM / CPS mode is the mode is the easiest to understand.easiest to understand.


How to Switch the ModeHow to Switch the Modein the Utility Menuin the Utility Menu

To switch the mode from To switch the mode from mR/hr to to µSv/hr and from and from CPM to to CPS:: Turn the Radalert 100 off.Turn the Radalert 100 off. Hold down the Hold down the + button on the button on the

end panel while turning the end panel while turning the Radalert 100 on. The Radalert 100 on. The menu icon will appear at the lower icon will appear at the lower right corner.right corner.

Scroll through the numbers on Scroll through the numbers on the screen by pushing the the screen by pushing the + and and - buttons until you get to buttons until you get to 2..

Press the Press the SET button on the button on the end panel. Press end panel. Press + for for mR/hr (CPM) and and - for for µSv/hr (CPS).

Press the SET button twice.button twice.


What is Background Count?What is Background Count?

The background count is the normal The background count is the normal level of nuclear radiation that is level of nuclear radiation that is occurring at a given time and place. occurring at a given time and place.

Some sources of background radiation Some sources of background radiation are:are:

The sunThe sun Minerals in the earthMinerals in the earth Residual radiation from nuclear testing Residual radiation from nuclear testing

and other man made sourcesand other man made sources Nuclear radiation is a naturally Nuclear radiation is a naturally

occurring phenomenon. When the occurring phenomenon. When the Radalert 100 is on it is normally Radalert 100 is on it is normally measuring the background count.measuring the background count.

A user should determine the normal A user should determine the normal background count to be able to set the background count to be able to set the appropriate alarm level in the case of appropriate alarm level in the case of abnormal levels of nuclear radiation.abnormal levels of nuclear radiation.

The mesh screen covers the end window of the Geiger-Mueller sensor.


How to Determine the Average How to Determine the Average Background CountBackground Count

Turn the Radalert 100 on, and put Turn the Radalert 100 on, and put it in it in CPM / CPS mode. mode.

Wait one minute until the Wait one minute until the hourglass icon on the left side of hourglass icon on the left side of the screen disappears. After this the screen disappears. After this icon disappears the Radalert 100 icon disappears the Radalert 100 updates every three-seconds.updates every three-seconds.

Take 30 consecutive minute Take 30 consecutive minute readings and record each of the readings and record each of the readings.readings.

Add together each of the readings Add together each of the readings and divide this number by 30 (the and divide this number by 30 (the length of your timed count).length of your timed count).

This number is the average This number is the average background count.background count.


Considerations Involved in Finding Considerations Involved in Finding the Best Level to Set the Alertthe Best Level to Set the Alert

The ideal alert setting provides enough sensitivity to detect any The ideal alert setting provides enough sensitivity to detect any increase in the radiation level above naturally occurring background increase in the radiation level above naturally occurring background levels without false alarms caused by normal random variations in levels without false alarms caused by normal random variations in the background radiation level. the background radiation level.

A good setting for one location may cause alerts in another location A good setting for one location may cause alerts in another location since background radiation levels can vary due to since background radiation levels can vary due to altitude altitude geography geography radon gas radon gas radioactive materials in buildingsradioactive materials in buildings mineral content in soil and rocksmineral content in soil and rocks

Each user should balance the need for sensitivity against false Each user should balance the need for sensitivity against false alarms occurring from local geography and conditions. alarms occurring from local geography and conditions.

A good alert level can be developed experimentally or through the A good alert level can be developed experimentally or through the formula found on the next slide. formula found on the next slide.

Use this number and adjust it as necessary for local conditions.Use this number and adjust it as necessary for local conditions.


One Way to Determine Where to One Way to Determine Where to Set the AlertSet the Alert

Use the Radalert 100 in Use the Radalert 100 in CPM / CPS mode to measure counts for 30 mode to measure counts for 30 consecutive minutes.consecutive minutes.

Record each reading.Record each reading. Add the readings and divide the sum Add the readings and divide the sum

by 30.by 30. Find the difference between each Find the difference between each

reading and the average.reading and the average. Square each of these differences Square each of these differences

(multiply it by itself).(multiply it by itself). Total the squares of the differences Total the squares of the differences

and divide the sum by 29.and divide the sum by 29. Find the square root of this sum. This Find the square root of this sum. This

number is the standard deviation.number is the standard deviation. Multiply the standard deviation by 4 Multiply the standard deviation by 4

and add this number to the average and add this number to the average from step 3 above. Set the alert level from step 3 above. Set the alert level to this number.to this number.


How to Set the AlertHow to Set the Alert

Put the Radalert 100 in Put the Radalert 100 in CPM / CPS mode. mode.

Press the Press the Set button on the end button on the end panel. A nuclear radiation icon will panel. A nuclear radiation icon will appear on the left side of the appear on the left side of the screen.screen.

Use the Use the + or or - buttons to set the buttons to set the alert level to the desired setting.alert level to the desired setting.

Press the Press the Set button twice. The button twice. The nuclear icon remains on. This icon nuclear icon remains on. This icon means that the alert is set.means that the alert is set.

Each time you turn the Radalert Each time you turn the Radalert 100 on you will have to turn on the 100 on you will have to turn on the alert feature, but the setting will alert feature, but the setting will remain the same.remain the same.


How to Change the BatteryHow to Change the Battery

Turn the Radalert 100 over.Turn the Radalert 100 over. Remove the battery cover.Remove the battery cover. Detach the 9 volt alkaline battery from the wire connector and replace.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 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.background, average 625 hours at 1 mR/hr with beeper off.

Documents

January 2012International Medcom, Inc. 707-823-0336 How to Use the Radalert 100