ECOTEST MKS-05 TERRA-P+ User manual

MKS-05 “TERRA-P”
DOSIMETER-RADIOMETER
Operating manual

Dear users,
You had chosen well if purchased a device of “ECOTEST” trademark manufactured by
“Sparing-Vist Center”. Your device is easy to use and can be applied for household purposes
without special training of the user. Should any questions arise, please contact our managers by
telephone [phone], fax [phone] or e-mail [e-mail].
We would greatly appreciate to receive your comments and suggestions on its operation. The
device is under 24-months (free of charge) warranty maintenance.
Best regards, International Sales Department.

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Contents
Preface.........................................................................................................................9
1 Purpose of use ........................................................................................................ 12
2 Technical specifications .........................................................................................13
3 Delivery kit.............................................................................................................18
4 Design and principle of operation .......................................................................... 20
5 Preparation for operation and testing...................................................................... 22
6 Use of the dosimeter...............................................................................................29
7 Technical maintenance ...........................................................................................42
8 Certificate of acceptance ........................................................................................ 44
9 Packing certificate .................................................................................................. 45
10 Warranty............................................................................................................... 46
11 Repair ...................................................................................................................48

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12 Storage..................................................................................................................49
13 Shipping................................................................................................................50
APPENDIX А ...........................................................................................................51
WARRANTY CERTIFICATE..................................................................................53

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Ionizing radiation is a natural phenomenon permanently existing in the
environment. Radiation background of the Earth and the space adversely affects us
on the regular basis. We are constantly influenced by natural radioactive materials
stored in soil and construction materials of the buildings we live and work in. It also
happens that more and more frequently we are exposed to the radioactive influence
of specific life activities, for example, certain medical procedures, smoking etc. To
say nothing of the impact of radioactive sources of artificial origin produced by
Chernobyl Fallout that caused contamination of the vast territories. Therefore not
only natural ionizing radiation but also Chernobyl Atomic Power-Station Disaster
component that gets into human organism with agricultural products, grown on the
polluted territories, berries and mushrooms, makes a great impact on people.
Ionizing radiation is primarily X-ray, gamma, beta, alpha and neutron radiation.

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X-ray and gamma radiation is transmitted as energy waves, similar to the
transmission of sunlight and sun warmth. X-ray and gamma radiation have similar
nature. They differ only in their origin and wavelength.
Normally, humans are influenced by X-rays emanated by electronic apparatuses
used in hospitals.
Gamma rays are radiated by unstable radioactive isotopes.
X-ray and gamma radiation is characterized by deep permeability into human
organism, which is dependent on the energy of the rays. Gamma radiation
permeability is so high that it can be hindered only by the thick lead or concrete
plates.

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Alpha radiation is a flow of nucleuses of helium. It has small permeability and
can be hindered, for example, simply by a piece of paper. Therefore it is not
hazardous until radioactive materials emanating alpha particles get into human
organism either through open wound, or with food and air.
Beta radiation is a flow of electrons. Beta radiation obtains higher permeability
and penetrates organism tissues at the depth of 1-2 cm.
Neutron radiation is a flow of neutrons originating from the process of nuclear
fission in the reactors, or as a result of spontaneous division in the nuclear materials.
Since neutrons are electroneutral particles they deeply penetrate any substance,
including living tissues.

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However, because people are more often exposed to gamma and beta radiation in
everyday life, the majority of radiation monitoring devices measure exactly these
kinds of radiation. As a matter of fact, the MKS-05 “TERRA–P” dosimeter-
radiometer, designed on the base of the modern professional dosimeter-radiometer
MKS-O5 “TERRA” exported into different countries and remaining an equipment
choice for the Ukrainian force structures, serves to prevent gamma and beta radiation
hazard.

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Preface
This operating manual (hereinafter referred to as the OM) is intended to inform
the user about the principles of operation of the MKS-05 “TERRA-P” dosimeter-
radiometer and its operation procedure. The OM contains all information necessary
for proper use of the dosimeter and full realization of its technical possibilities.
The MKS-05 “TERRA-P” dosimeter-radiometer is a household device, and
can not be used as an instrument for formal (professional) measurements.
The MKS-05 “TERRA-P” dosimeter-radiometer is calibrated according to the
standard sources of ionizing radiation after manufacture and is not subject to
verification.

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The OM contains the following abbreviations and symbols:
DE - ambient dose equivalent;
DER - ambient dose equivalent rate;
MODE - on/off button and switch between the corresponding
modes of indication (gamma radiation DER, gamma
radiation DE, real time (clock) and alarm clock);
THRESHOLD - button of threshold levels programming and correction of
clock and alarm clock time.

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Note. Ambient dose equivalent (expressed in “Sieverts” (“Sv”)) characterizes the
influence of ionizing gamma radiation on the biological object (human), as opposed
to exposure dose (expressed in “Roentgens (“R”)”) that characterizes the capacity of
gamma radiation to ionize the air. Generally, to make it simple, use the coefficient
circa 100 to covert ambient dose equivalent units into exposure dose units:
1.0 μSv 100.0 μR.
Dose rate conversion, correspondingly: 1.0 μSv/h 100.0 μR /h.
Natural radiation background normally equals circa 0.1 μSv/h (10 μR /h).

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1 Purpose of use
The MKS-05 “TERRA-P” dosimeter-radiometer (hereinafter called the
dosimeter) is designed to measure ambient dose equivalent (DE) and ambient dose
equivalent rate (DER) of gamma radiation and to evaluate surface contamination by
beta radionuclides. Additionally, the dosimeter performs the functions of clock and
alarm clock.
The dosimeter belongs to the class of survey meters and is used in everyday life
for monitoring of apartments, buildings and constructions, household items, clothes,
ground surface of infields and vehicles; for evaluation of radioactive contamination
of wild berries and mushrooms, and as visual aids for educational establishments.

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2 Technical specifications
2.1 Key specifications are presented in Table 2.1.
Table 2.1 –Key specifications
Name
Unit of
measurement
Standardized value
according to the
technical specifications
1
2
3
1 Measurement range of gamma radiation DER
μSv/h
0.1 –999.9
2 Main relative permissible error limit of
gamma radiation DER measurement with
confidence probability of 0.95 (calibrated
relative to 137Cs)
%
±(25+2/
)(H 10


),
where
)(H 10


is a
numeric value of the
measured DER in
μSv/h

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Table 2.1 (continued)
1
2
3
3 Measurement range of gamma radiation DE
mSv
0.001 - 9999
4 Main relative permissible error limit of gamma
radiation DE measurement with confidence
probability of 0.95
%
±25
5 Energy range of registered gamma radiation
MeV
0.05 –3.00
6 Energy dependence of the dosimeter readings at
gamma radiation DER and DE measurement in the
energy range of 0.05 to 1.25 MeV
%
±25

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Table 2.1 (continued)
1
2
3
7 Beta-particles flux density range with possible
evaluation of surface contamination by beta
radionuclides
part./(cm2 min)
10 - 105
8 Energy range of registered beta-particles
MeV
0.5 –3.0
9 Battery life (ENERGIZER AAAx2 of 1280 mA·h
capacity) under natural background radiation, not
less than
hour
6000

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Table 2.1 (continued)
1
2
3
10 General operating supply voltage of the
dosimeter from two AAA size batteries
V
3.0
11 Mean time to failure, not less than
hour
6000
12 Average service life, not less than
year
6
13 Average shelf life, not less than
year
6
14 Dimensions, not more than
mm
5526120
15 Weight, not more than
kg
0.2

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2.2 Threshold level values of gamma radiation DER in the range of 0.01 to
9.99 μSv/h with discreetness of 0.01 μSv/h are programmed in the dosimeter.
Threshold level value is set automatically after the dosimeter is switched on and
equals 0.30 µSv/h. It corresponds to the maximum permissible level of gamma
background for premises in compliance with the regulatory documents of Ukraine.
2.3 The dosimeter sends audio signals of different periodicity and keys if the
programmed DER level is exceeded, the alarm clock goes off, or the battery is
discharged.
2.4 The dosimeter provides four level indication of battery discharge.

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2.5 Values of DER and DER threshold levels, real time and preset time of the
alarm clock alternately appear on the digital liquid crystal display (hereinafter LCD),
which depends on the chosen mode indicating the correspondence of information.
2.6 The dosimeter performs measurements under the following conditions:
- temperature from –10 to + 50 оС;
- relative humidity up to (95±3) % at + 35 оС;
- atmospheric pressure from 84 to 106.7 kPa.
3 Delivery kit
3.1 The delivery kit consists of the items and maintenance documentation
presented in Table 3.1.

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Table 3.1 –Delivery kit of the dosimeter
Type
Item
Quantity
Note
ВІСТ.412129.012-02
MKS-05 “TERRA-P”
dosimeter-radiometer
1 pc.
ВІСТ.412129.012-
02 КЕ
Operating manual
1 copy
ВІСТ.412915.001
Package
1 pc.
ENERGIZER
AAA size battery of
1.5 V
2 pcs.
Other AAA batteries of
1.5 V voltage are
permissible.
Supplied at customer’s
request.

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4 Design and principle of operation
4.1 General information
The dosimeter is a mono block construction with a built-in detector of gamma
and beta radiation (Geiger-Muller counter), a printed-circuit board equipped with
electronic components, and batteries.
The operation principle of the dosimeter is based on transformation of radiation
by Geiger-Muller counter into the sequence of voltage pulses; the number of pulses is
proportional to the registered radiation intensity.
The power for operation is supplied by two AAA batteries.
4.2 Design description
The dosimeter is designed as a flat square plastic body with rounded corners.