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Chapter 2: Features

The Inspector measures alpha, beta, gamma, and x-ray radiation. It is optimized to detect small changes 

in radiation levels and to have high sensitivity to many common radionuclides. 

For more information, see 

Appendix A, Sensitivity to Common Radionuclides.

 This chapter briefly describes the Inspector’s functions. 

For 

more information on how to use the Inspector, see Chapter 3: Operation. 

The Inspector counts ionizing events 

and displays the results on the liquid crystal display (LCD). You control which unit of measurement is shown by 

using the mode switch. Whenever the Inspector is operating, the red count light flashes each time a count (an 

ionizing event) is detected 

Figure 2 (8)

.

The LCD Display 

Figure 2 (1)

The LCD 

(liquid crystal display. Figure 1)

 shows various indicators according to the mode setting, function(s) 

being performed, and battery condition as shown below.

Indicators

• X1000 (A) appears when the numeric display is to be multiplied by 1000. 

• TOTAL (B) appears when the Inspector is in Total/Timer mode. 

• An hourglass (C) appears to the left of the numeric display during a timed count. 

• A Radiation Symbol (D) appears to the left of the numeric display when the Alert mode is activated.

• A Battery Icon (E) appears to the left of the numeric display indicating low battery voltage.

• The Isotope Icons (F) identify the user selected isotope efficiency for calculating activity. 

See Chapter 9: 

Built in Isotope Efficiencies.

• MENU (G) appears upon entering the menu.

• SET (H) appears when you are setting the timer (the numeric display shows the timed period instead of 

the current radiation level) and while adjusting settings in the Utility and Alarm Menus.

• The current unit of measurement (I)—CPM, CPS, mR/hr, µSv/hr, Bq, or DPM—is displayed to the right of 

the numeric display.

• The Numeric Display (J) shows the current radiation level in the unit specified by the mode switch setting.

• RANGE:Full (K) appears when the radiation present exceeds the upper detection limit of the Inspector.

• RECORDING (L) appears when the Inspector is logging data to the internal memory.

• On/Off (M) indicates that a feature is on or off in the utility menu.

• Alarm (N) indicates that an alarm threshold has been met and that the alarm has been triggered.

Figure 1

(A) X1000

(B) Total

(C) Hourglass

(D) Radiation Symbol

(E) Battery

(F) Isotope Icons

(G) Menu

(H) Set

(I) Units of  

      Measurement

(J) Numeric Display

(K) RANGE:Full
(L) Recording

(M) On/Off

(N) Alarm

Summary of Contents for Inspector USB

Page 1: ...S E International Inc P O Box 39 436 Farm Rd Summertown TN 38483 USA 1 800 293 5759 931 964 3561 Fax 1 931 964 3564 www seintl com radiationinfo seintl com INTERNATIONAL TM ...

Page 2: ...tion Database Application 29 Contents Chapter 1 Introduction 3 How The Inspector Detects Radiation 3 Precautions 3 Chapter 2 Features 4 The LCD Display 4 Indicators 4 The Switches 5 Mode Switch 5 Off On Audio Switch 5 The Backlight 5 Set Button 6 and Buttons 6 The Detector 6 The Input Output Ports 6 Chapter 3 Operation 7 Starting the Inspector 7 Units of Measurement 7 Display Update 7 Maximum leve...

Page 3: ...ccurately as an average over time and the average is more accurate over a longer time period For details see Operating in Timer Mode in Chapter 3 Precautions To keep the Inspector in good condition handle it with care and observe the following precautions CAUTION Never touch the Inspector to a surface that may be contaminated You may contaminate the instrument Do not leave the Inspector in tempera...

Page 4: ...d count A Radiation Symbol D appears to the left of the numeric display when the Alert mode is activated A Battery Icon E appears to the left of the numeric display indicating low battery voltage The Isotope Icons F identify the user selected isotope efficiency for calculating activity See Chapter 9 Built in Isotope Efficiencies MENU G appears upon entering the menu SET H appears when you are sett...

Page 5: ...c reading by 1000 to get the complete radiation level Total Timer The display shows the accumulated total of counts from 1 to 9 999 000 When X1000 is shown on the display multiply the numeric reading by 1000 to get the complete radiation level For details see Taking a Timed Count in Chapter 3 Off On Audio Switch Figure 2 3 Audio The Inspector is on and makes a clicking sound for each radiation eve...

Page 6: ...dow Geiger tube commonly called a pancake tube The screen on the back of the Inspector is called the window Figure 4 1 It allows alpha and low energy beta and gamma radiation which cannot get through the plastic case to penetrate the mica surface of the tube The small radiation symbol on the front label indicates the center of the Geiger tube Figure 2 7 The Input Output Ports The Output Port Figur...

Page 7: ... is updated every 3 seconds In Timer mode the numeric display is updated every second Maximum level When the maximum level for the current mode is reached the Inspector beeps for 3 seconds pauses for 3 seconds and repeats that pattern Also the RANGE Full icon is displayed and the numerical values displayed will show OVER instead of the specific rate The beeping pattern and the flashing display con...

Page 8: ...nuclide you are surveying The most immediate indicators of the radiation level are the audio and count light Operating in Timer Mode When the mode switch is set to Total Timer the numeric display is updated every second and totaling starts Taking a Timed Count The Inspector can give you a total count for a timed period from 1 minute to 24 hours The default setting is 10 minutes A timed total count...

Page 9: ...ate modes while the Inspector is taking a timed count the timed count will continue 8 To reset the timer to take another timed count press the SET button to set the time for another count 9 Press the SET button a second time and the Inspector will start totaling the counts it registers and the numeric display is updated each time a count is registered Using Dose Rate Modes While Timer is On Dose r...

Page 10: ...ormal start up routine Options Options Function Comments dLoG Data Logging The logging interval can be set in the USB Observer Software Turns on or off the data logging feature for storing collected readings in the internal memory Default is 10 minutes UNIT Unit of Measurement Selects between mR hr and CPM or μSv hr and CPS EFF Efficiency Displays the efficiency for the pre pro grammed isotopes bu...

Page 11: ...and calibrate the instrument For details see Chapter 7 Observer Software The following sections give instructions for several commonly used procedures With any procedure the user must determine the suitability of the instrument or procedure for that application Establishing the Background Count Normal background radiation levels vary at different locations different times even in different areas o...

Page 12: ...bout source calibrations please contact us at 1 800 293 5759 or go to seintl com services General Maintenance Tips 1 Do not get the instrument wet 2 Be sure to store the meter in a location without direct sunlight as sunlight can damage the end window of the detector over time 3 Be sure to store the unit inside the carrying case when not in use 4 If you are planning to store the unit for a long ti...

Page 13: ...rays have the same basic characteristics The only difference between them is their source of origin Gamma Rays Gamma rays are almost identical to X rays Gamma rays generally have a shorter wavelength than X rays Gamma rays are very penetrating and thick lead shielding is generally required to stop them Short wavelength electromagnetic radiation higher in frequency and energy than visible and ultra...

Page 14: ... and then on again and the USB Observer will launch Once the unit is connected the Observer Software will launch and open a window for the instrument with a serial number displayed in the upper left corner of the title bar A new window will open for each detector connected Preferences The alarm settings auto save chart feature and the grid settings for datalogging frequency and units of measuremen...

Page 15: ...erver USB Meter Screen The Observer USB Meter Screen simulates a digital meter to display the readings collected by the detector Enable Alarm This will enable the alarm that is built into the software Once the radiation levels go back below the set level of the alarm the alarm will stop unless you have checked Latch Alarm When the Latch Alarm is checked the alarm will continue to go off until the ...

Page 16: ... the back of the unit and attach a pulse generator to the unlabeled test point immediately to the left of U2 Pulses must be positive with a duration of approximately 3 3 to 5V peak to peak square wave No high voltage is connected to this test point 2 Power on the instrument 3 Connect the instrument to the PC running Observer USB using the USB cable An application window for the attached instrument...

Page 17: ...laying COUNTS 2 Place the Inspector in the location where the efficiency calibration will be performed and take a count of at least 10 minutes Divide the total number counts by the acquisition time in minutes to calculate the background counting rate RB in CPM Record this value 3 Center the first source to be used into the Wipe Test Holder and take a count of at least 1 minute Divide the total num...

Page 18: ...t rate in counts per second cps RB is the background count rate in cps A is the activity of the source in disintegrations per second dps or becquerels Bq 5 Repeat Steps 3 and 4 for additional radionuclides 6 If you would like to record efficiency values in the Inspector s memory for any of the supported radionuclides S 35 Sr Y 90 Cs 137 P 32 C 14 I 131 Co 60 ALPHA continue with the following steps...

Page 19: ...lace the instrument in a relatively low field approximately 5 mR hr and allow it 30 seconds or so to stabilize 6 If the indicated response is off by more than 3 at this level adjust the Sensitivity to a lower value if the instrument is reading too low or to a higher value if the instrument is reading too high After changing the value on the Calibration Panel click the Update Settings button After ...

Page 20: ... ionizing form For example U 238 has 14 different stages of decay before it stabilizes An element may have several forms or isotopes A radioactive isotope of an element may be called a radioisotope However the more correct term is radionuclide Selecting a Built In Isotope Efficiency Enter the Utility Menu and scroll to the USE menu item and press SET on the end panel of the unit to select the isot...

Page 21: ...t dry the in strument in a warm dry place if it still has a problem it requires service Instrument has false high reading or OVERRANGE photosensitivity remove from direct sunlight and ultra violet sources if the high count drops the mica window coating may have washed off the Geiger tube due to getting wet the tube will need to be replaced continuous discharge replace the Geiger tube electromagnet...

Page 22: ...ns of detection instruments it is possible to draw misleading conclusions from your readings We design our instruments to detect the broadest range of ionizing radiation possible and still be affordable The full spectrum of ionizing radiation cannot be measured by one single instrument Everyone agrees that radioactive materials can be dangerous We encourage you to seek out other sources of informa...

Page 23: ...ut 1 8 inch 3 mm thick between the instrument and the source If the indication stops decreases or changes it is most likely beta radiation Most common isotopes emit both beta and gamma radiation This is why the indication would decrease or change but not stop The non occupational dose limits set by the government is 100 mR above background annually It is up to the individual to decide what a safe ...

Page 24: ...ionth of a sievert A unit of dose equivalent 1 Sv 100 roentgens 10 µSv hr 1 milliroentgen hr Curie is the amount of radioactive material that decays at the rate of 37 billion disintegrations per second approximately the decay rate of one gram of radium Microcuries millionths of a curie and picocuries trillionths of a curie are also often used as units of measurement Becquerel Bq is defined as the ...

Page 25: ...olecules into charged particles called ions Radiation The emission and propagation of energy through space or through matter in the form of particles or waves Radionuclide The naturally occurring or artificially produced radioactive form of an element Decay When an atom emits an alpha or beta particle or a gamma ray it becomes a different type of atom Radioactive substances may go through several ...

Page 26: ...ipeTest Plate slides easily onto the Inspector positioning the depression and wipe directly in front of the GM tube window at a fixed distance of 1 centimeter The WipeTest plate is removable for general surveying patent 5 936 246 Many of the customers using the Inspector Wipe Test Plate also use it as a Beta Shield for the 2 inch GM detector patent 5 936 246 Stand Whether you need to perform area ...

Page 27: ...ndicators Display updates every 3 seconds Alert Set Range mR hr 001 50 and CPM 1 160 000 70db 1m Pulsating beeper sounds the alert Adjustable alert levels are used for mR hr CPM and µSv hr CPS Alarm will sound when in Timer Mode when set alarm threshold is reached Count Light Red LED flashes with each radiation event Audio Indicator Internally mounted beeper can be switched off for silent operatio...

Page 28: ... not conform to the warranty at any time while this warranty is effective the Warrantor will repair the defect and return the instrument to you prepaid without charge for parts or labor NOTE While the product will be remedied under this warranty without charge this warranty does not cover or provide for the reimbursement or payment of incidental or consequential damages arising from the use of or ...

Page 29: ...ease fill out this form and send it back to us if you would like to be notified of the NIST calibration renewal for your instrument to S E International Inc P O Box 39 436 Farm Rd Summertown TN 38483 1 800 293 5759 931 964 3561 Fax 1 931 964 3564 www seintl com radiationinfo seintl com EMAIL DATE PLACED IN SERVICE Calibration Database Application ...

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