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Operations Manual
MAN-038 March 2019
Page 95 of 100
Simulated source
A sealed source whose structure is such as that of the sealed radioactive source, but not containing any
radioactive material. Also known as: mock source, dummy source, phantom source, dummy pill.
Source assembly
A source holder with a sealed source attached or included. In cases where the sealed source is directly
attached to the control cable without the use of a source holder, the source assembly is the control cable
with the sealed source attached. In cases where the sealed source is not attached to the control cable nor
included within the source holder, the sealed source is the source assembly.
In the case where a simulated source is attached to or included with a source holder or control cable, this
becomes a simulated source assembly.
Flexible type source assemblies are also known as ‘pigtails’. The source assembly is most commonly
referred to as the ‘source’.
Rigid or chain link type source assemblies are also known as: source rods, source pencils, source trains,
source chains.
Source holder
A holder or attachment device, by means of which a sealed source or simulated source can be:
directly included in the radiographic gamma-ray source projector (category I apparatus - an gamma-
ray source projector in which the source assembly is not removed for exposure).
fitted at the end of the control cable (category II apparatus - an gamma-ray source projector from
which the source assembly is projected out through a projection sheath to the exposure head for
exposure. The exposure is remotely operated.)
Source holders may be an integral part of the source assembly or may be capable of being dismantled for
sealed source replacement.
Source changers
A lockable Type A or Type B transport container used to transport new sealed source assemblies,
exchange them and return depleted sealed source assemblies to the manufacturer. Source changers are
also utilized for storage of sealed source assemblies. Also known as: source exchangers, storage
containers.
Working position
Condition of the exposure container and source assembly when in the position intended for the
Performance of industrial gamma radiography.