Ludlum Measurements 3000 User manual

LUDLUM MODEL 3000 SURVEY METER
USER’S MANUAL
April 2021
Serial Number: 25009185 and Succeeding
Firmware: n34 only

LUDLUM MODEL 3000 SURVEY METER
USER’S MANUAL
April 2021
Serial Number: 25009185 and Succeeding
Firmware: n34 only

Model3000Surveymeter User’s Manual

Model3000Surveymeter User’s Manual
STATEMENT OF WARRANTY
Ludlum Measurements, Inc. warrants the products covered in this manual to be free of
defects due to workmanship, material, and design for a period of twelve months from
the date of delivery. The calibration of a product is warranted to be within its
specified accuracy limits at the time of shipment. In the event of instrument failure,
notify Ludlum Measurements to determine if repair, recalibration, or replacement is
required.
This warranty excludes the replacement of photomultiplier tubes, G-M and
proportional tubes, and scintillation crystals which are broken due to excessive
physical abuse or used for purposes other than intended.
There are no warranties, express or implied, including without limitation any implied
warranty of merchantability or fitness, which extend beyond the description of the
face there of. If the product does not perform as warranted herein, purchaser’s sole
remedy shall be repair or replacement, at the option of Ludlum Measurements. In no
event will Ludlum Measurements be liable for damages, lost revenue, lost wages, or
any other incidental or consequential damages, arising from the purchase, use, or
inability to use product.
RETURN OF GOODS TO MANUFACTURER
If equipment needs to be returned to Ludlum Measurements, Inc. for repair or calibration, please
send to the address below. All shipments should include documentation containing return shipping
address, customer name, telephone number, description of service requested, and all other necessary
information. Your cooperation will expedite the return of your equipment.
LUDLUM MEASUREMENTS, INC.
ATTN: REPAIR DEPARTMENT
501 OAK STREET
SWEETWATER, TX 79556
800-622-0828 325-235-5494
FAX [phone]

Model3000Surveymeter User’s Manual
Table of Contents
Introduction 1
Getting Started 2
Unpacking and Repacking 2-1
Battery Installation 2-1
Instrument Operational Test 2-2
Sigma Audio 2-4
Detector Failure Diagnostic 2-5
Detector Over Range 2-5
Detector Overload 2-6
Instrument Use and Controls 2-6
RATE Mode Operation 2-8
MAX Mode Operation 2-9
COUNT Mode Operation 2-10
Specifications 3
Setup Mode 4
Setup Overview 4-1
Setup Parameters 4-2
Entering Setup Mode 4-4
Setup Mode Operation 4-5
Datalogging 5
Datalogging Operation –Mode 1 5-2
Datalogging Operation –Mode 2 5-3
Datalogging Operation –Mode 3 5-4
Specifications 5-4

Model3000Surveymeter User’s Manual
Software 6
Connecting to Software 6-1
Advanced Features 7
Dead Time Correction 7-1
Units 7-2
Software Calibration Tools 7-3
Other Device Data 7-3
Real-time Streaming 7-3
Safety Considerations 8
Environmental Conditions for Normal Use 8-1
Warning Markings and Symbols 8-1
Cleaning and Maintenance Precautions 8-2
Revision History 9
Recycling 10
Options 11
Standard Parts List 12
Auxiliary Communications A
AuxComm Overview A-1
Requirements A-1
Usage A-2
Settings A-5

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Ludlum Measurements, Inc. Page 1-1 April 2021
Introduction
The Model 3000 is an ergonomic, lightweight instrument, which can be
used for radiation survey purposes. It features the ability to measure
radiation in count rate, exposure rate/dose, activity rate, integrated
exposure/dose, time-averaged rates, and scaler counts. The Model 3000
utilizes an external radiation detector to detect alpha, beta, or gamma
radiation.
Three modes of operation are available for the Model 3000 –RATE,
MAX, and COUNT. RATE mode operation will display the current
count, exposure, or activity rate. MAX mode is used to capture the
highest count, activity, or exposure rate detected –useful for finding a
peak rate, or frisking when the display is not visible. Two sets of units
(primary and secondary) for RATE and MAX modes can be chosen
from among cps, cpm, Bq, dpm, R/h, or Sv/h. The user can switch
between these two units by simply tapping the Units button.
COUNT mode allows the user to perform a count for a predetermined
time. Depending on the count units chosen, the result can be a scaler
count (in counts or disintegrations), a time-averaged rate (cpm, dpm,
Bq, or cps), a time-averaged exposure or dose (R/h or Sv/h), or an
integrated exposure or dose (R or Sv).
The instrument features a large backlit LCD (liquid crystal display), an
audio warning tone, and easy, intuitive use. The unit body is made of
lightweight but durable plastic. It is intended for outdoor use and can
resist splashing water. The foam grip provides a comfortable ergonomic
grip, but may be removed for ease of decontamination.
The standard handle includes the LOG pushbutton that allows the
instrument to log up to 1000 data points when activated with the
optional Lumic Datalogging Kit.
Section
1

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Setup of the instrument is accomplished through the front-panel
buttons, or through software available from Ludlum Measurements.
The advanced user or administrator can set:
Calibration Constant
Dead Time Correction
Dead Time Correction 2
Efficiency
High Voltage
Pulse Threshold
Detector Current Overload Threshold
Loss of Count Alarm Time
Primary and Secondary Units
Primary and Secondary Minimum and Maximum Displays
Primary and Secondary Unit Alarm Levels
Primary and Secondary Count Units
Primary and Secondary Count Units Minimum Displays
Primary and Secondary Count Alarm Levels
Response Time
Auto-Response Rate (Fast or Slow)
Available Operational Modes
Count Time
Auto Shutdown Time
Backlight Threshold
Sigma or Click Audio Mode
Dead time correction coefficients can be configured either through the
device setup menu or through a wizard included in the calibration
software. Dead time correction employs first and second order
corrections for extended performance.
The front-panel setup feature can be disabled via the internal switch on
the Model 3000 in order to protect settings from inadvertent changes.
The unit is operated with four alkaline AA batteries for operation from
-20 to 50 °C (-5 to 122 °F). Battery life is approximately 750 hours
under normal usage. A low-battery indicator on the LCD warns when
less than 16 hours of battery life remain.
The Model 3000 may optionally be provided with a 1/8-inch stereo
headphone jack that would allow for headphone use for audio output. It
is located to the left of the detector connector.

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For more advanced use: See Appendix A for information on our
Auxiliary Communications features, which allow the instrument to expand
its capabilities with a variety of external devices through a standard serial
interface.

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1. Turn the instrument over so that the bottom of
the instrument is facing up.
2. Use a straight medium-sized screwdriver to turn
the single screw on the battery cover one-quarter
turn counter-clockwise.
3. Release and remove the battery cover.
4. Replace four AA batteries.
5. Replace the cover and turn screw one quarter of
a turn clockwise to secure.
Getting Started
Unpacking and Repacking
Remove the calibration certificate and place it in a secure location. Remove
the instrument and ensure that all of the items listed on the packing list are
in the carton. Check individual item serial numbers and ensure calibration
certificates match between instruments and detectors (if applicable). The
Model 3000 serial number is located on a label on the front side of the unit.
To return an instrument for repair or calibration, provide sufficient packing
material to prevent damage during shipment.
Every returned instrument must be accompanied by an Instrument
Return Form, which can be downloaded from the Ludlum website at
www.ludlums.com. Find the form by clicking the “Support” tab and
selecting “Repair and Calibration” from the drop-down menu. Then choose
the appropriate Repair and Calibration division where you will find a link to
the form.
Battery Installation
A low-battery indicator appears at the top of the LCD when less than 16
hours of battery life remain. When this indicator is present, follow these
steps to replace the four standard AA batteries:
Section
2

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Instrument Operational Test
Turn the instrument ON by pressing the ON/OFF button. The instrument
should activate all the LCD segments and the audio. Observe the device
during this time. If any LCD segments are missing, or audio fails to work,
the device is in need of repair. Please refer to Figure 1 below.
Figure 1: Startup display for Model 3000, with all LCD segments shown.
The instrument then displays the firmware version. Please refer to Figure 2
below.
Figure 2: Firmware version display.
Note: Firmware versions with the Bq units are equipped with auxiliary
communication.
The instrument then displays the battery voltage. Please refer to Figure 3.

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Figure 3: Battery Voltage display
The instrument then displays the number of stored records if datalogging is
enabled. Please refer to Figure 4 below.
Figure4: Startup display for Datalogging firmware, showing 155 stored records.
The instrument will then move to normal operation, displaying the current
rate for the Primary units (default: mR/hr).
If the Sigma Audio option is selected, the unit will display a countdown
from :08 to :01 (in seconds) as the unit measures background radiation
levels.
The user may select the Secondary units (default: cpm) by long-pressing the
Units button.

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Ensure that the low-battery indicator is not present. If the low-battery
indicator is present, replace the batteries as soon as possible. Should the
instrument detect a battery voltage that is high enough to power on, but too
low to safely operate, the display will blank and the low-battery icon will
flash. Normal operation will not be available until the batteries have been
replaced. Under extreme low-battery conditions, be aware that the unit may
not even turn on or may turn itself off abruptly.
A reference reading with a check source, 1 µCi (37 kBq) of 137Cs for
example, should be obtained at the time the instrument is received in the
field. Small check sources of radiation are available from Ludlum
Measurements. While exempt from many regulations because of their small
size, these sources are large enough to produce a response on this
instrument. If this procedure is done routinely with the same radiation
source, instrument malfunction may be detected when anomalous readings
are observed. If at any time the instrument fails to read within 20% of the
reference reading when using the same check source, it should be sent to a
calibration facility for recalibration and/or repair.
Example log reading:
Check Source # Rate Units
Once this procedure has been completed, the instrument is ready for use.
Sigma Audio
The Ludlum Model 3000 has the standard "click" audio that is widely used
by radiation instruments. However, it also has a Sigma Audio mode that can
be enabled to change the audio sound. This mode is useful for scintillation
detectors because their high count rate makes the "click" audio less useful.
In the sigma audio mode, the instrument measures the background
radiation alarm for eight seconds on power-up, and then automatically sets a
low threshold rate above the background rate. Then the instrument will
produce a beep any time that the instrument "sees" more than this
threshold value. The user doesn't need to watch the display to find a small
increase over background; the user can just listen for multiple beeps. Thus,
the unit has an audio alarm that, on power-up, adjusts to just above the
current background level, and provides a sensitive audio indication to the
user. Note that this audio alarm can also work in conjunction with the fixed
alarm, i.e. the user can have both a floating audio alarm (resulting in audio
beeps) based on the background level, and a fixed tone audio and a steady
ALARM icon when a predetermined fixed alarm level is exceeded.

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Detector Failure Diagnostic
Note that the Model 3000 has its own diagnostic tests to ensure that the
detector is functioning correctly. The Model 3000 can detect when the
radiation detector is malfunctioning and will flash the display to indicate a
fault. If the detector stops detecting radiation for a settable number of
seconds, the Model 3000 will flash a zero reading for the currently selected
units. This indication is common if the unit is powered up without a
detector connected. If this indication is observed with a connected detector,
remove the unit from service and have it evaluated by a qualified repair and
calibration technician.
Figure 5: Detector Failure display (shown for cpm); will also flash.
Detector Over Range
If the detector is exposed to high levels of radiation or has an internal
malfunction that causes it to count high or excessively, the unit flashes the
maximum rate (999) for the currently selected units as a warning. The user
should ensure whether this is being caused by a high radiation field or by
internal malfunction. With some detectors, this display could be an indicator
of a light leak, possibly caused by a puncture or tear in the detector face. If a
Maximum Display parameter is set, then it is possible for the display to flash
the Maximum Display value under this condition.
Figure 6: Detector Over Range (shownfor cpm); will also flash.

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Detector Overload
As another diagnostic test, the Model 3000 monitors the HV supply's
detector current. A current overload threshold can be set via Setup Mode.
(A setting of 0 disables this alarm.) In general, this alarm setting can be used
to detect when there is some detector failure, a cable failure, or a possible
high level of radiation. When this alarm is triggered, the LCD will display
OL and an alarm tone will sound. Once the detector current goes below the
threshold, the Model 3000 will return to normal operation.
Figure 7: Detector Overload Alarm; will also flash.
Instrument Use and Controls
With four front-panel buttons, the Ludlum Model 3000 is simple and easy
to use with minimal training required. Default operation is RATE mode,
and the display shows the current count rate using the Primary units. Long-
pressing the UNITS button will switch between Primary and Secondary
units. Long-pressing the MODE button will switch the instrument to MAX
mode, which will display the highest count rate detected. Long-pressing the
MODE button again will switch it to COUNT mode, which will display the
COUNT timer. Note that either or both of the MAX and COUNT modes
can be locked out in the setup process.

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See the Model 3000 drawing at the beginning of this manual to
reference the following controls:
ON/OFF button:
Power On: Press for approximately one-half of a second and release
(all LCD segments will activate, and firmware version will be
shown).
Power Off: Press and hold approximately four seconds. The display
will show a 3, 2, 1 countdown for the final three seconds of
shutdown. Releasing the ON/OFF button during shutdown will
return the device to the previous state of operation. At completion
of the shutdown count, the LCD will go blank.
Short Tap (tap-pressing the button and releasing in under a half second):
Normal Operation: Will acknowledge/silence alarms in all modes
of operation.
Change Log Location Selected Position (if datalogging is enabled).
Will move selection position in the device menu.
Long Press (pressing the button and releasing for at least a half second):
Start/reset COUNT Timer in COUNT mode.
When Sigma Audio is enabled, pressing the ON/OFF button will
take a new background reading and update the Sigma Audio level
(in Rate Mode only).
Reset/Zero: When in Rate mode, a long press of the ON/OFF will
reset/zero the averaged rate. The minimum display will be shown
before returning to the exposure rate. When Sigma Audio is
enabled, Rate Reset is disabled.
Will reset MAX mode display.
UNITS button:
Short Tap (pressing the button and releasing under a half second):
Used to switch between Primary and Secondary units in all available
modes.
Long Press (pressing the button and releasing for at least a half second):
Used to toggle the display in COUNT mode between the timer and
the reading.

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AUDIO button:
Short Tap (pressing the button and releasing under a half second):
Used to toggle the click audio ON or OFF. Click audio defaults to
ON when the unit is powered up. When Sigma Audio is enabled,
tapping the AUDIO button will toggle the Sigma Audio beep ON
and OFF. If Dual level audio is active, each tap will toggle audio to
High (Hi), Low (LO), or OFF. Count Mode audio is disabled by
default, but can be enabled through Lumic Software. Sigma audio is
disabled in count mode.
Long Press (pressing the button and releasing for at least a half second):
Only used in the device menu. While viewing the Detector
Overload parameter, a long press will allow the user to view the
actual current level. Another long press will return user to overload
settings.
MODE button:
Short Tap (pressing the button and releasing under half a second):
Used to advance between the three operating modes, RATE, MAX,
and COUNT. Note that MAX and/or COUNT mode may be
disabled from use. The device menu increments selected digit/text
to the next available option.
RATE Mode Operation
In RATE mode, the current count rate will be displayed.
Long-pressing the ON/OFF button for at least a half second will reset the
averaged rate before releasing the button. The Reset feature must be
enabled through Lumic Calibration software (see parameter: RateResetBtn)
and will be disabled when Sigma Audio is enabled.
Tapping the UNITS button will switch the displayed value between the
Primary and Secondary Units.
Tapping AUDIO button will turn the “click” audio on/off. When Sigma
Audio is enabled, pressing the AUDIO button will toggle the Sigma Audio
beep on/off. If dual Level audio is enabled, it will toggle between “Hi, LO,
and OFF.”

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If an alarm condition is present, tapping the ON/OFF button will
acknowledge and turn off the continuous tone alarm audio. Under an alarm
condition, the ALARM display indicator will remain on. Alarms are non-
latching in RATE mode. When Sigma Audio is enabled, and an alarm
condition is not present, a long press (at least a half second) of the
ON/OFF button will reset the Sigma Audio alarm level. The Sigma count
can only be reset in RATE Mode.
Figure 8: RATE mode display showing typical background radiation rateand the
low-battery icon.
MAX Mode Operation
While in MAX mode, the highest detected count rate (since the last reset) is
displayed. The word MAX will be displayed when in MAX mode.
Tapping the UNITS button will switch the displayed value between the
Primary and Secondary Units.
Tapping the AUDIO button will turn the “click” audio on/off. When
Sigma Audio is enabled, long-pressing the AUDIO button will toggle the
Sigma Audio beep on/off.
Under a non-alarm or alarm condition, a long press of the ON/OFF
button will reset the display. When Sigma Audio is enabled, the Sigma
Audio alarm level cannot be reset in Max Mode.
If an alarm condition is present, tapping the ON/OFF button once will
acknowledge and turn off the continuous tone alarm audio. (The “click”
audio will remain as selected under non-alarm conditions.) Tapping the
ON/OFF button a second time will toggle the audio setting. Under an
alarm condition, the ALARM display indicator will remain on until the
display is reset. Alarms in MAX mode latch with the display.

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If other operational modes are available, pressing the MODE button will
move to the next available operational mode.
Figure 9: MAX mode operation display with ALARM indicator.
COUNT Mode Operation
When entering COUNT Mode from another operational mode, the
currently selected COUNT Unit will be displayed for approximately one
second. The purpose of COUNT mode is to count for a predetermined
amount of time, and to display the results on the display. Note that the
predetermined count time can be from 1 second to 10 minutes, or can be set
to zero to enable continuous counting until stopped by the user.
Count mode operation is very flexible, depending on the units chosen. A
common choice is for the count mode to just perform a scaler count for a
specified time, with a resulting answer in counts (equaling detected radiation
events).
There are two different options for COUNT mode, which can be set
through software.
Go to “Device Count Display Mode” in the Device or Others tab
(depending on Software version). Enter/Select the desired option into the
“Value” field.
0 - will only show the countdown timer while timer is active
(default selection).
1 - will cycle between showing the countdown timer and the
current reading.
2 - will only show the current gathered reading.