Innova ALPHAiX 3000 User manual

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 !General!!!!!!!!!Page 2
2. !Instructions for the 3 measuring methods!!!!Page 3
3. !Programming the measuring times/measuring intervals!! Page 4
4. !Other commands for controlling the ALPHAiX!!!Page 5
5. !Replacing the counter tubes!!!!!!Page 6
6. !Replacing the battery!!!!!!!Page 6
7. !Guarantee!!!!!!!!!Page 7
8.!EDP measurement + analysis program for the ALPHAiX!! Page 7
9.!Available Counter Tube Types!!!!!!Page 7
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
ALPHAiX 3000
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1.!General
The ALPHAiX 3000 is a microprocessor-controlled radiation measuring instrument
and also a programmable computer with storage facilities. Measurements can, of
course, also be carried out without having to program the unit in advance. The
principal basic functions:
a)!Switch on the unit
Briefly depress the RUN/STOP key
(Audible signal and AiX 3000 in the display)
b)!Start measurement
Depress the RUN/STOP key for the second time (Display of the battery voltage
after approx. 2 sec. followed by display of the measuring method)
c)!Abort measurement
Depress the RUN/STOP key for approx. 3 sec. STOP appears on the LCD -
measurement is aborted - can be re-started by RUN/STOP
d)!Changing the measuring method
3 different measuring methods can be set by depressing the SET key:
-!Single impulse measurement
!!!!->display:IMPULSE
-!Minute average measurement
!!!!->display:IMP/m
-!Microsievert per second
!!!!->display:µSv/h
The selection is made after switching on or after STOP (abortion of
measurement)
e)!Switch off the unit
Simultaneously depress the RUN/STOP + SET key
You now already know the most important things. Please note that the response to a key
operation may be slightly delayed - power savings circuit - i.e. do rot depress the key too
hard but long enough to obtain a response - which can take 2 seconds.
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
ALPHAiX 3000
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2.!Instructions for the three measuring methods
The 3 different measuring methods offer the chance to select the proper measuring
method for each testing purpose. Single impulse determination corresponds to the
customary contamination measuring method used till now and has therefore been
retained. The values according to IMP/s and µSv/h are converted and stored in this
measuring method.
2.1.!Display IMPULSE
Single impulse count with direct display on LCD and an audible signal is given with
every impulse, which can be switched off by the SOUND key. The measured value
remains in the display after the measuring time. The RUN/STOP key must be
depressed to start a new measurement.
2.2.!Display Imp/m
With this method the counted impulses are immediately converted to one minute.
The display of the one minute mean value is the most important comparative value
in radiation measurement - e.g. the background counts.
The results are displayed only after the measuring time or a better measuring
interval. The measurements are automatically started again after the measuring
interval and the measured value of the last measuring interval remains in the display
until the new measured value from the following measuring interval is available and
loaded to the display. The last 40 measured values are stored, the oldest value under
No. 1 and the last measured value No. 40. Measured value No. 1 is automatically
deleted by measured value No. 41 and the other measured values are shifted so that
measured value No. 41 is stored as No. 40.
With this measuring method a shorter measuring interval should be chosen. The
mean value per minute from all stored measured values can later be retrieved again
by the STORE key. This display has an oblique and a zero /0) after the measured
value.
If, for example, 968 impulses are counted in 10 minutes the value 96.8/m appears in
the display after 10 minutes. If a one minute measuring interval is selected, 10
individual values are displayed and stored after every minute. Depression of the
STORE key after 10 minutes, however, also gives the value 96.8/0.
Long measuring intervals are selected if long measuring times have to be covered.
For a 24 hour interval a measuring value can be stored every day for 40 days - for an
unattended measuring station, for example.
No audible signals are given - only when the adjustable alarm limit is exceeded.
2.3.!Display µSv/h
This display is intended for dose rate measurements expressed in Sv (sievert). This
involves measurement of GAMMA radiation only, so ALPHA and BETA radiation must
be shielded - i.e. the protective cover must be left on the counter tube during
measurement.
The measured value of intense radiation is displayed in seconds, weak radiation may
take a few minutes. As in the measurement of the one minute mean value, the
measurements are also continued in this measuring method arid each last measured
value is loaded in the display and stored after the measuring interval. The last
measured values are also automatically stored and here too the mean value of the
stored measured values can be retrieved with the STORE key.
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
ALPHAiX 3000
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3.!Programming the Measuring Time/Measuring Interval
The ALPHAiX allows setting of various measuring times in the IMPULSE mode or
measuring intervals for display in IMP/m but not in µSv/h. As already mentioned, the
new measuring intervals in the µSv/h and IMP/m measuring method are
automatically started after the pre-selected measuring time and the measured value
of the completed measuring interval is stored. In other words, it concerns indefinite
measurement series.
This is not possible in the IMPULSE mode. The unit stops after the set measuring
time showing the total number of impulses counted during the measuring time in
the display. The unit must be re-started manually (RUN key), which re-sets the
display to zero.
For the IMPULSE mode a longer measuring time is usually selected than for the
measuring methods (µSv/h & IMP/m) which involve automatic storage of the
measured values. To allow retrieval of intermediate results in the IMPULSE mode the
count can be stopped without interrupting it.
The display stops if the RUN/STOP + PERIOD keys are depressed simultaneously in
the IMPULSE node. The dots in the display disappear and only a flashing dot
indicates that the measurement is continuing in the background. The display is
reactivated by depressing the RUN/STOP and PERIOD keys again, i.e. the impulses
counted during that time are loaded to the display and the measurement is
continued with the current values.
Simultaneous depression of the SET + PERIOD keys and the ↑/↓keys means 8
different measuring times/intervals can be set:
!IMPULSE mode: !10 sec. !Imp/m + µSv/h!/!10 sec
!!!!1min!!!!!!1min
!!!!10min!!!!!!10min
!!!!60min!!!!!!60min
!!!!100min!!!!!100min
!!!!6hours!!!!!6hours
!!!!12hours!!!!!12hours
!!!!indefinite!!!!!24 hours
The difference in the last stage follows from the fact that the measuring methods
IMP/m + µSV/h run indefinitely anyway. The current flashing measuring time
appears on depression of the SET + PERIOD keys. The required measuring time can
be set with the ↑/↓keys. After the required setting the SET key must be depressed
until the date display appears. A new series of measurements can then be started.
The ↑/↓keys are identical to the TIME + SOUND keys and are generally used to
program the ALPHAiX. Programming is always completed with the SET key - i.e. it
must be depressed until the date display appears and can be switched over.
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
ALPHAiX 3000
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4.!Other Commands for Controlling the ALPHAiX 3000
PERIOD key
The PERIOD key is used to program the measuring intervals.The currently set
measuring time appears if PERIOD is pressed immediately after switching on.
This measuring time display flashes if the SET key is depressed at the same
time.The measuring time setting can be changed with the ↑/↓keys in this
phase. After the required measuring time is set, the SET key is depressed
again until the time is displayed. The measuring range selection mode is then
exited and other functions can be used.
If the PERIOD key is depressed during a measurement
-!the measuring time already elapsed is displayed first
!!-!on the 2nd press the total measuring time previously set is displayed
-!on the 3rd press the unit returns to display the current measuring
!value.
The measured value is always shown in the display at the end of a series of
measurements.
No total measuring time display is given when measuring µSv/h because the
measuring time is a variable in this measuring method - i.e. sometimes
shorter, sometimes longer depending on the impulse density.!
STORE key
Display of the average (mean value) from all stored (max. 43) measured
values ( /0). This value (total measuring time should be at least 100 minutes)
can be used as background rate if no other radiation exposure is present.
After depression of STORE, pages of the stored values can be turned with the
↑/↓keys, starting with the display of the date, time, background counts
setting and measuring time.
Reading the memory is, however, only possible if no measurement series is in
progress - i.e. the measurement series must first be interrupted with STOP or
the memory must be made accessible with STORE immediately after switching
on.
The measured values are numbered consecutively with the oldest value as No.
1 and the latest measured value as No. 40.
!SOUND key
The SOUND key allows to switch on/off the audible impulse signal in the
IMPULSE mode. With this key the alarm can also be switched off.
Simultaneous depression of the SOUND and SET key permits setting of the
zero rate, ie. adjusting - with ↑/↓keys - the background count.
For dose rate measurements in µSv it is important to first program the correct
zero rate. A zero rate of 20 IPM/m is set as a factory default - which
corresponds to the zero rate for the counter tube type A.
The zero rate for counter tube type B is !8 IMP/m
The zero rate for counter tube type FSZ is !17 IMP/m
The zero rate for counter tube type G is !28 IMP/m
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
ALPHAiX 3000
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Programming the correct zero rate is mandatory whenever switching
counter tube types.
Pressing SET again in this programming mode permits setting the warning
signal (ALARM). By default it is set to 10 times the background count.
The ↑/↓keys allow setting the ALARM value up to a maximum of 250. If the
ALARM value is set to 0, no alarm signal will sound.
Settings are completed by pressing SET again and until the time is displayed.
!TIME key
Date and time can be set by first pressing both the TIME and SET key
simultaneously, then the ↑/↓keys, followed by SET.
Press once!set DAY, MONTH, YEAR with the ↑/↓keys
!followed by SET, then
!!Press again!set HOUR, MINUTE, SECOND with the ↑/↓keys
!!!followed by SET and the time will be displayed.
!!Thereafter the unit can be switched off or activated by pressing START
!Default setting
!!SET + ↑+ ↓
These three keys are depressed simultaneously for the default setting.
Default: !- IMPULSE mode
!!!!- 10 minutes measuring time
- 20 minutes zero rate
- ALARM set to 10 times background count
5.!Replacing the Counter Tubes
The ALPHAiX 3000 is a basic unit to which various probes (Geiger-Müller counter
tubes) can be attached. To replace the counter tube the unit must be switched off or
the tube must be attached before switching on. The unit must be left for approx. 1/2
min. before the counter tube is removed.
Misoperation may result in program failures and control keys failing to respond. In
this case the battery terminals must be disconnected and reconnected - see item VI.
It is the same as a “RESET” of a computer when the program has crashed and nothing
works anymore.
6.!Replacing the Battery
To replace the battery, remove the housing cover at the back of the ALPHAiX which is
fixed with 2 screws. The 9 V compound battery is fixed to a battery clip and can
easily be removed and replaced. Due to high voltage the unit must be switched off
for approximately 1 minute before opening.
The ALPHAiX 3000 operates up to a minimum voltage of 7 V. If the voltage is too low
the message BATT appears in the display. It is advisable to replace the battery at a
voltage of less than 8 V. The battery should show a voltage of at least 9 V before
making long journeys with the ALPHAiX
Depending on quality, a battery can usually last several weeks of continuous
operation.
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
ALPHAiX 3000
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7.!Guarantee
We guarantee the ALPHAiX for 12 months. The prerequisite, however, is the
professional handling which is customary for electronic measuring instruments and
computers. Intervention in the unit renders the guarantee null and void. Repairs are
carried out only by the manufacturer.
This also applies to the various slip-on probes (Geiger-Müller radiation detection
tubes). For end window counter tubes care must be taken that the end window
diaphragms are not contacted even by water or steam. Diaphragm damage results in
total loss of the probe.
For transport and long journeys we recommend the impact-resistant plastic suitcase
offered in our scope of available products.
8.!EDP measurement and analysis program
The current ALPHAiX version contains an RS-232 interface for transferring data to a
PC. All measured data including those stored in the ALPHAiX 3000 (up to 40 values)
can thus be transferred.
Scope of delivery for the electronic data processing (EDP) and analysis program
includes a Windows program diskette/CD, instructions for use and a connection
cable for the PCs COM1/COM2 port.
9. !Available Counter Tube Types
Five different counter tubes for connection to the ALPHAiX 3000 are available:
Counter tube type A
for measuring Alpha, Beta and Gamma radiation. This counter tube is
especially suited for educational facilities (chemistry and physics classes)
Counter tube type G
for measuring Alpha, Beta and Gamma radiation. This counter tube is
especially suited for laboratories. Its bigger window makes it five times more
sensitive than the type A counter tube.
Counter tube type B
an immersion tube for measuring Beta and Gamma radiation. Besides surface
measurements this tube is especially suited for measurements in bulk
materials and liquids.
Counter tube type FSZ
an immersion tube for measuring Beta and Gamma radiation. This version is
bigger than tube type B. Its braided one meter connecting wire is attached
permanently and waterproof. Measurements in liquids and to a depth of up to
one meter are thus possible. It is the most sensitive counter tube by far.
Counter tube type D
for measuring Gamma radiation. Preferred for dose measurements. This
counter tube is application specific and available on request. Specify the
length of the braided connection wire for this made to order product!
Separate operating instructions are available for the counter tubes A, B, G and FSZ.
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
ALPHAiX 3000
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