In 2000, we created models for Ambient Dose Equivalent H*(10), which is also measured in Sv. This
required modification of energy dependence, which means modification of energy compensation. The
energy compensation is an alloy of heavy metals surrounding the counting tube. When replacing the
energy compensation and re-calibrating any 6150AD1-6, the instrument will be suited for H*(10). All
functions remain unchanged, even modifying the software (EPROM) is not absolutely necessary.
However, software (EPROM) should also be adapted, since H*(10) models must no longer allow to
switch the unit from Sv to R because this conversion is energy dependent.
If you feel confused that models for different quantities (H
X
models and H*(10) models) use the same
unit (Sv), keep in mind that a measuring
quantity
and its
unit
are different things. For example, think of
an alternating current: it may be characterized by different quantities like peak value or root-mean-square
value, which will have different values, although they are measured with the same unit (volts, amps). The
same is true for a radiation field: you may measure its quantity as H
X
or as H*(10), and you will get
different results, although both are measured in Sv.
The same is true for the probes, which means H*(10) probes also need modification of their energy
compensation. The question arises, what will happen, if 6150AD and probe are designed for different
measuring quantities. This is no real problem, because each device will measure its quantity. When
measuring with an external probe, the probe’s technical data including measuring quantity apply. A probe
designed for H
X
will always provide H
X
measurements, even if the indicating 6150AD is already designed
for H*(10). The other way round, a probe designed for H*(10) will always provide H*(10)
measurements, even if the indicating 6150AD is still designed for H
X
. Therefore it is possible to work
with a »mixture« of dose rate meters 6150AD and probes that are not designed for the same measuring
quantity. However, you have to be careful to add the measuring quantity when documenting your
readings.
An alternative would be to design the H*(10) models of 6150AD and probes in such a way that they will
not work together with the old H
X
models. The advantage of this approach is that you have to take less
care of the measuring quantity when working with an external probe; 6150AD H
X
models will only work
with H
X
probes, and 6150AD H*(10) models will only work with H*(10) probes. However, there is also a
disadvantage: if you already have several 6150AD and probe models for H
X
, and you want to upgrade
them to H*(10) models, you have to do that for all instruments at the same time, because otherwise the
probes would not work together with the 6150ADs.
We decided to offer both possibilities. This means that two H*(10) versions are available for each
6150AD model and for each probe model. Those H*(10) versions that will also work with old H
X
models
get the suffix »/H« to their old type name, those H*(10) versions that will only work with new H*(10)
models get the suffix »/E« to their old type name.
When upgrading a 6150AD to a »/H« model, energy compensation and type label have to be replaced.
This is possible even for the oldest instruments. The program version (EPROM) has only to be modified
if the instrument’s unit was other than Sv, or if the instrument allowed adjusting the unit to something
other than Sv. When upgrading to a »/E« model, the program version (EPROM) has always to be
modified. This is only possible from hardware release 2 on. In other words, upgrading to a »/E« model is
not
possible for instruments with hardware release 1. The serial number tells you which hardware release
an instrument carries, see the table at the bottom of the next page.
Both »/H« and »/E« models clearly indicate the measuring quantity H*(10) on their type label. If there is
no such indication, and if the suffixes »/H« and »/E« are missing, the instrument is an old one designed
for H
X
.
03/2004
Operating Manual 6150AD
Page 3
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