
Gammapilot M
8Endress+Hauser
Restrictions for use in
safety-related applications
Application, mounting, installation
• The use of the Gammapilot M is permitted only for maximum point level detection with a PVT scintillator
of length 200 mm and 400 mm.
• For permitted mounting positions, see "Orientation" →ä13.
• Sustained or temporary vibrations and shocks may influence the measuring signal and should therefore be
avoided if possible. This can, for example, be done by mounting the Gammapilot M in such a way that it is
decoupled from the source of vibration.
• In order to ensure interference freeness, series connection is not permitted in HART multidrop mode.
• In the case of pressurized tanks, the effect of the pressure on the safety function must be considered
separately. Pressurized gas phases may affect the absorption of radiation due to the change in their density.
• Strong magnetic fields in proximity to the Gammapilot M may result in a reduction in the pulse rate.
If necessary, protective measures must be taken.
• The mechanical attachment of the Gammapilot M and the source containers must be designed in such a way
that the devices are prevented at all times from moving or shifting.
Calibration, adjustment
• The change of the pulse rate between covered and free depends on the absorption of the radiation by the
content of the vessel. The absorption is determined on the basis of the number of half-value layers of the
content. The less the absorption the higher the pulse rate has to be at empty calibration.
The following table defines the minimum pulse rate values for empty calibration in conjunction with the
number of absorbing half-value layers.
• The pulse rate value at empty calibration must not fall below the values given in the table. When setting up
the radiation source, the decay of the gamma radiation source during the service life must be taken into
account.
Operating conditions, radiation sources
• To ensure the reliability of decay compensation, only 137Cs and 60Co radiation sources, which do not contain
any foreign isotopes with longer or shorter half-lives, may be used.
• Measurements of self-emitting media are permitted only in modulated mode (using modulator FHG65).
Operating conditions, detector
• The Gammapilot M may only be used in "stand-alone" mode or in "level limit" mode. The interconnection
of several detectors in a cascade is not permitted.
Number of half-value layers Minimum pulse rate at empty calibration
>3 500 cps
>2 to ≤3 1000 cps
≥1 to ≤2 1500 cps
For information:
• Half-life 60Co: approx. 5.3 years
• Half-life 137Cs: approx. 30 years
Example:
• Number of half-value layers: 3.2; i. e. minimum pulse rate at empty calibration: 500 cps
• Empty calibration: 1500 cps
• Half-life 60Co: approx. 5.3 years
• Permitted service life: 8.3 years
• Background radiation must not exceed 8,000 cps.
• The maximum pulse rate for empty calibration must not exceed 60,000 cps.
• The pulse rate for full calibration must always be lower than the pulse rate for empty calibration.
•Permitted service life = – ln
0.7 Empty calibration (cps)
Half-life Minimum pulse rate at empty calibration (cps)