Mirion Technologies RDS-31 S User manual






RDS-31 S/R
Multi-purpose Survey Meter
User Manual














Doc.No.20966082

Ver.3.21



















NOTE
This document and the information herewith are copyrighted
material as mentioned in the Copyrights Act. No part of this
document may be copied without a written authorization from the
manufacturer.
The manufacturer withholds the right to make changes in the
contents of this document without prior notice.
If you have any comments or suggestions for additions
concerning either the products or this document, please send
them to the address on the back cover. There is a feedback form
at the end of this document.
ATTENTION! The RDS-31 Multi-purpose Survey Meter does not
contain any hazardous or dangerous substances and can be
recycled accordingly. The batteries of the device must be recycled
separately as instructed by the manufacturer of the batteries.
Copyright © Mirion Technologies (RADOS) Oy 2011
Document No. 2096 6082
Version 3.21
Issue date 24.4.2014


Table of Contents
1Contents
1.Introduction ............................................................................. 1
1.1RDS-31 S/R Multi-Purpose Survey Meter..........................................1
2 Taking the Instrument into Use for the First Time.................... 2
2.1Inserting Batteries ........................................................................2
2.2 Switch On....................................................................................4
2.3 Switch Off (OFF)...........................................................................4
3 Main Parts of the RDS-31 ......................................................... 4
3.1Display of the RDS-31 ...................................................................4
3.2Connectors and Strap....................................................................6
3.3Push Buttons................................................................................6
4Using the Buttons and Special Features ................................... 7
4.1Button Pressing Times...................................................................7
4.2Normal Usage of the Buttons..........................................................8
4.3Special Feature: Shortcut-Function..................................................8
5Operation ................................................................................. 9
5.1Indication of the Measuring Unit....................................................10
5.2Display Illumination ....................................................................10
5.3Operating the Instrument Menu ....................................................11
5.4Menu Items................................................................................11
5.4.1ShowandResetCumulativeDose(DOSE)...............................................................12
5.4.2MaximumMeasuredDoseRate(MaxDR)...............................................................12
5.4.3ChirpOffandSettingDivisor(CHIRP)......................................................................13
5.4.4ShowandChangeDoseRateAlarmLevel(FX.RAL/SQ.RAL)...................................14
5.4.4.1Fixed Dose Rate Alarm Level:.............................................................15
5.4.4.2Sequential Dose Rate Alarm:...............................................................16
5.4.5ShowandChangeExternalDoseRateAlarm/CountRateAlarmLevel
(XT.RAL/XT.CRA).....................................................................................................................17
5.4.6ShowandChangeDoseAlarmLevel(FX.DAL/SQ.DAL)..........................................19
5.4.6.1Fixed Dose Alarm Level:........................................................................19
5.4.6.2Sequential Dose Alarm:.........................................................................21
5.4.7TimetoDoseAlarm(TM.2.AL)................................................................................22
5.4.8Diagnostics(DIAG)...................................................................................................23
5.4.9Communication(CONN)..........................................................................................25
5.4.10Histogram(HISTO)...................................................................................................27
5.4.10.1Other Histogram Records....................................................................31
5.4.11Advanced.................................................................................................................32
5.4.12ExternalDetectors(Ext.Det.)......................................................................................33


5.5Shortcut Functions......................................................................33
5.6Other Displayed Messages............................................................37
5.6.1LowBatteryWarning...............................................................................................37
5.6.2LowBatteryAlarm...................................................................................................37
5.6.3DoseRateAlarm(BlinkingDisplay).........................................................................37
5.6.4DoseAlarm..............................................................................................................37
5.6.5DoseRateOverflowAlarm(OFL)............................................................................38
5.6.6Error(dEF/Err).........................................................................................................38
6Configurable Parameters ........................................................ 38
6.1Display Illumination ....................................................................39
6.2Show and Reset Cumulative Dose (DOSE)......................................39
6.3Chirp On/Off and Chirp Rate (CHIRP).............................................39
6.4Show and Change Dose Rate Alarm Level (FX.RAL/SQ.RAL)..............40
6.5Show and Change External Dose Rate / Count Rate Alarm Level
(XT.RAL/XT.CRA) ..............................................................................40
6.6Show and Change Dose Alarm Level (FX.DAL/SQ.DAL).....................40
6.7 Time to Dose Alarm (TM.2.AL).......................................................41
6.8Battery and Display Test (DIAG) ...................................................41
6.9Histogram (HISTO) .....................................................................41
6.10Advanced ..................................................................................42
6.11Indication Unit............................................................................42
7Maintenance and Decontamination......................................... 42
8RDS-31 Specifications ............................................................ 44
8.1Radiological Characteristics ..........................................................44
8.2Functional Characteristics ............................................................45
8.3Electrical Characteristics ..............................................................45
8.4Mechanical Characteristics............................................................45
8.5Environmental Characteristics.......................................................46
8.6Connector..................................................................................46
8.7Detector Position ........................................................................46
9Accessories ............................................................................ 47
9.1External Probes for RDS-31 with Binder Connector ..........................47
FEEDBACK FORM ............................................................................. 49






1

1.Introduction
1.1 RDS-31 S/R Multi-Purpose Survey Meter
The new RDS-31S/R Multi-purpose Survey Meter continues the
line of the Mirion survey meters offering modern design and
approach to a wide range of radiation monitoring applications.
RDS-31 is a small hand held, battery-operated survey
instrument utilizing an energy-compensated GM-tube as a
primary detector. It is suited for a wide range of applications in
civil defense, firefighting, rescue, industrial and laboratory use
due to its versatile functions and rugged construction. With the
accompanying Configuration Software, it is easy to optimize the
behavior of the instrument to meet the various working
conditions and needs. The menu functions, which are available
to the end user, can be selected from the bare essentials (back
light activation only) to functions allowing the alarm limit
setting, dose resetting and histogram functions configurations.
In other words, this meter has its place wherever the user
wishes to observe the ionizing radiation in his/her environment
or work surroundings.
RDS-31 features excellent ergonomics; it is lightweight and
easy to handle with visual and audible alarms and a built-in
vibrating alarm. The instrument can be held and handled firmly
even under difficult conditions thanks to the rubber grip around
the instrument. The large graphical display with an Energy Save
Backlight can be easily read both in total darkness and in direct
sunlight. Additionally, to increase the easy operation of the
instrument, Shortcut-operations can be configured to the
buttons. This function allows the easy and configurable method
of performing repeated operations such as the Manual Histogram
Sample collection, the Dose value display, the Diagnostics etc.
In addition, to help the users to become accustomed to the
Shortcut-function, a novel Visualization display function can be
configured into the operations. With this aid, it is possible to
adjust the button press to the desired length.

2

The basic instrument is easy to take into use, but it also offers
versatile possibilities to measure other types of radiation
qualities by using external probes. The total Mirion range of
external probes from the Turku and Lamanon manufacturing
sites can be attached to the instrument.
These detectors include the GMP-xx-3 series of gamma and
alpha/beta/gamma probes and GMP-25 alpha/beta/gamma
probe dedicated to RDS-31, additionally the GMP-12 series
gamma probes and the GMP-11/GMP-15 alpha/beta/gamma
probes of Mirion Technologies (RADOS) Oy. In addition, the TGS
gamma contamination, Alpha Wound and Alpha 125 alpha
contamination probes from Mirion Technologies (MGP) of France
can be connected to RDS-31. These various detectors can be
added to the instrument using the additional Cable Adapter
extending the capabilities of the instrument. The use of the
Cable Adapter also provides existing customers an easy and cost
effective way to update their current instruments while
maintaining the existing external detectors.
The meter provides an additional protective function to the user:
while using external probes, the meter is still measuring
simultaneously the dose rate using the detector of the
instrument. This allows the alarm to be triggered in case a too
high dose rate or an accumulated dose is measured.
The RDS-31 is ready for use after the batteries (2 x IEC LR6/AA)
have been installed.
2 Taking the Instrument into Use for the First
Time
2.1 Inserting Batteries

Open the lid of the battery compartment by releasing the fixing
screws with a Pozidriv #1 screwdriver and pull the cap out.











3


The instrument uses two IEC (LR6/ HR6) AA-size batteries. The
use of alkaline batteries is recommended, but rechargeable NiMH
batteries can also be used.
The polarity of the batteries can be seen in the picture below.
It is also engraved in the bottom of the battery compartment.
Insert the batteries and secure the battery cap.
Close the battery cover and tighten the screws first by using a
lower torque and then by increasing the force until the lid
becomes aligned with the bottom. The surface of the lid is
slightly above the instrument bottom surface.
The instrument is now ready for use. If the instrument is not
automatically switched on after replacing the batteries, turn the
instrument on by pressing the On/Off-button [] until the
instrument starts (about 2s).
Note: The operation of the instrument is optimized for alkaline batteries.
The use of NiMH batteries is possible. When changing the battery type the
instrument settings must be changed with the Configuration Software for
RDS-31.
Note: When changing the batteries, also check that there is no dust or dirt
inside the battery compartment. Clean the compartment. Check the
condition of the rubber sealing and the connector cap. Replace the sealing
or the cap in case they have become damaged.
Note: Using excessive force while tightening the screws may damage the
threads of the instrument. Should this happen the case must be replaced.
Note: If the batteries have been totally depleted or the batteries are not
changed within one minute, the Internal Real Time Clock is reset and has to
be set again using the CSW-31 software.

4

2.2 Switch On
Press the On/Off []button until all the display
pixels are turned on and an audible signal is
heard. The meter performs a self-test function:
All the display pixels are turned on
The buzzer is activated
The vibration is activated
The display backlight is switched on
The battery condition is tested
The HV-generator is tested
The presence of the RF link is checked and the connection is
established.
In case the internal Real Time Clock (RTC) is not set to the proper
time, a flashing ‘TIME NOT SET’ message is displayed. The RTC can
be set with the CSW-31 software.
2.3 Switch Off (OFF)
To switch the instrument off:
Activate the menu (Short [Ξ]).
The display changes to blinking OFF.
Press an intermediate []
The display goes blank. The instrument is now switched off.
Note: The instrument does not completely shut down all the internal
circuitry. The RTC-circuit remains active maintaining the time signal. The
energy is supplied with the batteries. This means that the time setting of
the instrument RTC is lost in case the batteries are removed for more than
1 minute.
Note: In case the instrument is to be stored for a prolonged period of time,
it is advisable to remove the batteries to prevent any electrolyte leakage to
the battery compartment.

3 Main Parts of the RDS-31
This paragraph presents the main parts of the instrument.
3.1 Display of the RDS-31
The display of the RDS-31 is a 128 x 64
pixel graphical display with the Energy
Saving Backlight (ESB). The ESB-circuitry
measures the ambient light condition and in case the lighting is
sufficient, the backlight is not activated when the buttons are
operated.
The start-up display informs current date & time, FW version
and calibration state. In case the time of meter’s Real Time
Clock is not set, the flashing ‘TIME NOT SET’ message is seen on
the 1
st
row. The RTC can be set with the CSW-31 software.

5

Display symbols and related functions:
SymbolFunctionSymbol Function
Buttonandalarmbuzzer
enabled
Buttonbuzzerdisabled,
alarmbuzzerenabled
Buttonbuzzerenabled,alarm
buzzerdisabled
Buttonandalarmbuzzer
disabled.
Audiblechirpenabled.
Audiblechirpdisabled.
Note:IfSpeakerand
Chirpsymbolarenot
visibledeviceismuted

TheVibrationAlarm
Activated
AlarmConditionexists

Waitingforexternaldetector
detection.Externaldetectoris connected

BetadetectorAlphaDetector

RF‐linkactive

Blinking`life’indicatoron
upperlefthandcorner
behindthebattery
indicator



Unitsforcontamination:
cps,cpm,dpm,Bq,Bq/cm
2

Unitsfordose&dose
rate:
µSv,mSv,Sv,µSv/h,
mSv/h,Sv/h
µrem,mrem,R,µrem/h,
mrem/h,rem/h
µGy,mGy,Gy,µGy/h,
mGy/h,Gy/h
Batteryfull.
50%Capacity(changes
showedinstepsof10%)
PoweredfromUSBorcradle.
Showsbatterycapacityand
USB/cradlesymbolintwo
secondintervals.
AnalogBarGraph,indicationofveryshortintegrationtimepulserate.Helpsinsearching.

AnalogBarGraphScale.Unitsofthebargrapharesameasthemainunits.
Maindisplayarea;usedformeasuredvalues,textmessagesandsymbols

6

3.2 Connectors and Strap
The connector for an external detector and an external charger
is in the bottom of the instrument. There is also the fixing lug of
the wrist strap. The round connector (Binder 702 series) is used
for external probes, for cable connections and for external
alarming devices.


Wrist strap fixing lug
Charging contacts
   




    Connector and protective cap

Note: Charging connectors are used when the instrument is placed into the
car cradle. In case the RDS-31 uses alkaline batteries, the instrument is not
charged with this connection but it will overdrive the batteries instead thus
eliminating the power consumption of the batteries.
Note: Using existing external detectors may require use of a cable adapter.
The adapter transforms the connector of the detector to the suitable
receptacle for RDS-31. In some case the cable adapter is required also to
make the detector electrically compatible with the instrument.

3.3 Push Buttons

There are two push buttons above the instrument display. It
ensures that the user always has the best possible grip on the
instrument even when operating the buttons.
On/Off
Menu
The buttons have bossed and cut features so that they are easy
to distinguish from one another. In addition, the pressure
threshold of the buttons is slightly higher than in typical buttons
RDS-31 Connector