PHYWE 13609-99 User manual

1
www.phywe.com, © All rights reserved 13609-99 / 4318
Operating instructions
Geiger-Müller-Counter 13609-99
PHYWE Systeme GmbH & Co. KG
Robert-Bosch-Breite 10
D-37079 Göttingen
Telefon [phone]
Fax [phone]
E-mail [email protected]
Fig. 1: 13609-99 Geiger-Müller-Counter
The unit complies
with the correspond-
in
g
EC
g
uidelines.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
2PURPOSE AND CHARACTERISTICS
3FUNCTIONAL AND OPERATING ELEMENTS
4HANDLING
5NOTES ON OPERATION
6TECHNICAL DATA
7LIST OF EQUIPMENT
8ACCESSORIES
9WASTE DISPOSAL
1 SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Caution!
Carefully read these operating instructions completely
before operating this instrument. This is necessary to
avoid damage to it, as well as for user-safety.
Only use the instrument for the purpose for which it was
designed.
Check that your mains supply voltage corresponds to
that given on the type plate fixed to the instrument.
Install the instrument so that the on/off switch and the
mains connecting plug are easily accessible.
Do not cover the ventilation slots.
Take care that no liquids or objects enter in through the
ventilation slots.
Only use the instrument in dry rooms in which there is no
risk of explosion.
Do not start up this instrument in case of visible signs of
damage to it or to the line cord.
2 PURPOSE AND CHARACTERISTICS
The device is used in conjunction with a Geiger-Müller
counter tube to be connected as a measuring and display
device for radioactive radiation.

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3 FUNCTIONAL AND OPERATING ELEMENTS
Overview
5 fixed counting periods (Time = 1, 10, 60, 100 or 300
seconds) - plus manual start and stop.
Optional Repeat Mode – repeat measurements without
interruption. The main display shows every completed
measurement result, while the current count is displayed
in an auxiliary display.
GM tube voltage can be adjusted between 400 and 700
V, while still reading the counts.
GM Sound gives a click from a loudspeaker for each
pulse recorded.
Ready Beep signals end of measurement period - espe-
cially handy in repeat mode.
Very flexible regarding the GM tubes used.
May be controlled from a PC. Digital pulse output. (Spe-
cial cables required – option.
4 HANDLING
Quick Guide
Connect: The counter accepts tubes with BNC connec-
tors or with ¼” Jack. Connect only one tube.
Power On: Press to turn on and off.
Right after the counter is switched on it is ready for single
measurements with a measurement time of 10 s.
Navigation: Find the parameter you want to set using the
buttons and . The parameter is marked with a
flashing arrow in the display: Time, Repeat, GM Voltage,
GM Sound, Ready Beep.
Setting: Press to select the current parameter. Then
set the parameter with and .
Accept: Press to accept the new value.
Measurement: Start a measurement by pressing .
This also resets the display.
The measurement stops when the selected time expires.
If an infinite period is chosen – or if you just want to stop
prematurely – press again to stop.
Connections
Connect either a GM tube (BNC connector) or a GM sensor
with integrated electronics (¼” Jack). An ordinary GM tube is
the natural choice, but if you have a GM sensor, it may also
be used.
The counter's GM voltage adjustment has only effect for the
BNC input. A GM sensor with ¼” Jack has its own high volt-
age supply.
Pulse Out delivers an approximately 50 μs long
5 V pulse when the counter detects a GM pulse. The com-
munication port requires a special USB cable (not incl.) and
an associated driver.
See section Communication with a Computer.
The power supply input may be connected to a DC adapter
(option) if you want to save the batteries.
Time
Set the counting period by using the buttons and ,
until the arrow next to Time flashes.
Press and set the time with and . An arrow at
the top of the display shows the time to be selected when
pressing .
Pressing when at 300 s or when at 1 s, the arrow dis-
appears - this means manual start/stop.
The current counting period is not changed before the final
press. Any ongoing counting continues in the back-
ground.
If possible, an ongoing measurement will continue after
pressing until the new period expires. This will fail when
you choose a time that has already expired. If the measure-
ment in this way is invalid, the display will be reset.
When a measurement with fixed time is under way, the hori-
zontal bar next to Time will show the amount of time that has
elapsed. The bar stays at its maximum after the measure-
ment completes. In repeat mode, however, the bar is reset
immediately as the next measurement begins.
Until a valid measurement is available, a small hourglass is
shown on the display. This applies when a single measure-
ment is started, and during the first measurement period in
repeat mode.

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GM voltage
The voltage to the GM tube is set by using the buttons
and , until the arrow next to GM Voltage flashes. Press
and set the voltage with and . The voltage change
immediately – not at the final press.
The voltage is shown in the main display and can be adjusted
in the range from 300 to 700 V.
When counting simultaneously with adjusting the voltage, the
counts are displayed in the auxiliary display. This is handy if
you want to measure the GM tube characteristics. Set the
counter to single measurements to read the results easier.
There is a certain, short reaction time when the voltage in-
creases – and one a little longer when the voltage is lowered.
If you wish to systematically study the effect of changing volt-
age, it is most practical to start at a low voltage and increase
it in small steps.
As mentioned earlier, this setting only applies for tubes con-
nected to the BNC input.
Cancel
You can exit navigation mode by "travelling too far": Press
when Time is selected – or press when Ready Beep
is selected. Pressing twice gives the same result - you
choose to set a parameter, and accept the old, unchanged
value.
If you have changed a parameter, there is no "escape but-
ton”. However, apart from the GM-voltage, everything can be
reset by turning off and on again. The GM voltage should be
set at 500 V when using PHYWE GM tubes.
Battery Saver Function
The unit turns off automatically after an hour - but only if it is
inactive.
Communication with a computer
Communication requires a cable with built-in adapter. The
adapter has an associated driver that must be installed on
your computer. Find information about downloading this
driver on the packaging for the adapter or on our website.
The adapter is recognized as a virtual serial port. Communi-
cation parameters can be set in Windows’ Control Panel.
Communication protocol
Commands to the unit consist of one letter, eventually fol-
lowed by a number.
The possible responses from the device depend on the
command.
Communication examples
If the GM-counter is to be used for automatic logging of data
on a PC, you can choose whether to receive data when each
counting period expires (streamed mode) or to poll GM-
counter for data with a given interval (polling mode).
The following is an example of how communication takes
place in two modes:
Polling mode
'e0' do not send counts automatically
'o0' Enable single mode
's1' Start counting
Wait an appropriate time (until the counting period has
ended)
'w' poll finished count
The GM-counter sends the count.
Alternatively you may in polling mode choose to activate re-
peat mode, thus removing the need to start counting ('s1')
before each counting period.
Streaming mode
'e1' Send counts automatically
'o1' Enable repeat mode
's1' Start counting
Now the GM-counter will send the finished counts after each
counting period.
Send results or not
When used alone, it returns status. When used with parame-
ter 0-1, the status will change according to the following:
'e0' counts not automatically sent
'e1' counts sent automatically when each count pe-
riod has finished
F: Counting time
When used alone, it returns the actual counting time in sec-
onds. When used with parameter 0-5, counting period is
changed according to the parameter:
'f0' Infinitely
'f1' 1s
'f2' 10s
'f3' 60s
'f4' 100s
'f5' 300s
Other counting periods are invalid. Display icons are updated
accordingly.
GM voltage
When used alone, it returns the current GM voltage in volts.
When used with parameter 400-700, the GM voltage is modi-
fied according to the parameter. Example:
'j520' GM voltage set to 520V
Single / Repeat Mode
When used alone, it returns status. When used with parame-
ter 0-1, mode is changed accordingly:
'o0' Single
'o1' Repeat
Start / Stop counting
When used alone, it returns the status. 0 means stopped.
When used with parameter 0-1, counting is started or
stopped:
's0' Stop counting. (No function if counting is stopped)
's1' Start counting. (No function if counting is in progress)

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Speaker on / off
Used alone, the command returns the current speaker status.
Used with a parameter, the speaker will be connected or dis-
connected according to this table:
'U0' GM sound off - Ready Beep off
'U1' GM sound on - Ready Beep off
'U2' GM sound off - Ready Beep on
'U3' GM sound on - Ready Beep on
Version number returned
'GM counter. Firmware version xxxxxxxx '
Read finished counts
Reads a register that holds a copy of the primary register.
The value is copied each time a count period expires. The
register is erased when it is read. If the register is empty
when this command is received, a value of "-1" is returned.
To ensure that all values are transferred to the PC, this regis-
ter should be read on intervals not longer than the counting
time.
5 NOTES ON OPERATION
This instrument is only to be put into operation under special-
ist supervision in a controlled electromagnetic environment in
research, educational and training facilities (schools, universi-
ties, institutes and laboratories).
This means that in such an environment, no mobile phones
etc. are to be used in the immediate vicinity. The individual
connecting leads are each not to be longer than 2 m.
The instrument can be so influenced by electrostatic charges
and other electromagnetic phenomena that it no longer func-
tions within the given technical specifications. The following
measures reduce or do away with disturbances:
Avoid fitted carpets; ensure potential equalization; carry out
experiments on a conductive, earthed surface, use screened
cables, do not operate high-frequency emitters (radios, mo-
bile phones) in the immediate vicinity.
6 TECHNICAL DATA
GM-voltage 300…700 V
Measuring period 1, 10, 60, 100 und 300 seconds
Power supply 6 x 1.5 V AA battery
Dimensions (mm) 230 x 105 x 50
Weight 0.9 kg
7 LIST OF EQUIPMENT
The following counter tubes can be used in conjunction with
the Geiger-Müller counter:
Geiger-Mueller Counter tube, type A 09025-11
Geiger-Mueller Counter tube, type B 09005-00
Geiger-Mueller Counter tube, 45 mm 09007-00
8 ACCESSORIES
Power supply 12 VDC/2.5 A 11262-99
9 WASTE DISPOSAL
The packaging consists predominately of environmentally
compatible materials that can be passed on for disposal by
the local recycling service.
Should you no longer require this product,
do not dispose of it with the household
refuse. Please return it to the address
below for proper waste disposal.
PHYWE Systeme GmbH & Co. KG
Abteilung Kundendienst (Customer Service)
Robert-Bosch-Breite 10
D-37079 Göttingen
Phone [phone]
Fax [phone]