Polimaster BDG1-PM1403 User manual

GAMMA RADIATION DETECTION UNIT
BDG1-РМ1403
OPERATION MANUAL

2
CONTENTS
1 General ....................................................................................................................................4
2 BDG1 delivery set....................................................................................................................5
3 Technical specifications...........................................................................................................6
4 Design and operation principle.............................................................................................10
4.1 BDG1 design .....................................................................................................................10
4.2 Handle. Telescopic extension bar.......................................................................................11
4.3 Operation principle ............................................................................................................12
4.4 BDG1 marking and sealing................................................................................................12
4.5 Packaging ..........................................................................................................................12
5 Making BDG1 ready for operation.......................................................................................13
5.1 General notes.....................................................................................................................13
5.2 BDG1 power .....................................................................................................................13
5.3 Safety measures.................................................................................................................13
6 Proper use of BDG1 ..............................................................................................................14
6.1 Switch BDG1 On/Off........................................................................................................14
6.2 Operability control BDG1 .................................................................................................16
6.3 Connect BDG1 to PC ........................................................................................................16
6.4 BDG1 operation ................................................................................................................17
6.4.1 Photon radiation DER measurement mode...................................................................17
6.4.2 Scintillation spectrum registration mode ......................................................................18
6.4.3 Radionuclide matter composition identification mode..................................................21
6.4.4 Photon radiation sources search mode..........................................................................22
6.4.4.1 Detection of gamma RS ......................................................................................23
6.4.4.2 Localization of gamma RS ..................................................................................23
6.4.5 PC communication mode.............................................................................................23
6.4.6 Settings of BDG1 external detection unit .....................................................................24
7 Technical maintenance..........................................................................................................26
8 Troubleshooting ....................................................................................................................27
9 Verification method...............................................................................................................28
10 Disposal.................................................................................................................................37
Appendix A................................................................................................................................38

3
Thank You for purchasing a BDG1-РМ1403 gamma radiation detection unit
manufactured by Polimaster.
Current Operation manual provides information on the design, construction, operation
principle of BDG1-РМ1403 (further BDAB) gamma radiation detection unit. The Operation Manual
contains key technical specifications of the instrument, operation and maintenance guidelines, and
procedures for metrological examination as well as other necessary information for correct instrument
operation and full utilization of its capabilities.
BDG1 is documented as follows (according to state standard of manufacturer country):
"Gamma Radiation Detection Unit BDG1-РМ1403 ТУ BY 100345122.060-2012".
Documented BDG1 and their electric circuit, internal and external design and software are
subject to change in the manufacturing process with no substantial effect on their functionality or
technical and metrological performance. Hence, Polimaster reserves the right not to mention such
changes in the current Operation Manual.

4
1 General
1.1 Designation and application range
1.1.1 BDG1 detection unit is designed to:
- measure ambient dose equivalent rate
Н

*(10) (further DER) of roentgen and gamma
radiation (further photon radiation);
- searching of the photon radiation sources;
- registration and accumulation of scintillation photon radiation spectra.
BDG1 provides programming modes.
BDG1 can be used by radiological and isotope tracing laboratories, emergency services,
customs officers to identify radionuclide isotope compositions, measure DER of gamma radiation,
search of ionization sources so that to prevent unauthorized transfer of radioactive sources and
materials. Instrument is as well used by specialists engaged in different industry branches,
agriculture, transport, medicine and so on, i.e. everywhere where nuclear-engineering facilities and
ionizing radiation sources are used.
BDG1 is being connected to detection and information processing unit BDOI-РМ1403
(further BDOI) or personal computer (further PC) by RS-485 or USB interface.
BDG1 operation conditions:
- ambient air temperature from -20 to +50 °С;
- relative air humidity up to 95 % at 35 °С;
- atmospheric pressure from 84 to 106,7 kPa.

5
2 BDG1 delivery set
Instrument delivery set corresponds to Table 2.1.
Table 2.1
Name, type Quan-ty
Gamma radiation detection unit BDG1-РМ1403 1
Telescopic extension bar 1) 1
Clamp 1) 1
Handle 1) 1
Cable # 2 (1,5 m) 1) 1
Cable # 2-2 (0,25 m) 1) 1
Cable # 3 1
Certificate 1
Data storage (Software, Operation Manual2)) 1) 1
Packaging 3) 1
1) Supplied by user request, by separate order
2) Verification Method is included
3) Another packaging can be used according to consumer requirements and delivery conditions
according to state standard requirements

6
3 Technical specifications
Table 3.1
3.1 Operation modes:
- measurement of photon radiation DER;
- searching (detect and localize) of the photon radiation sources;
- registration, accumulation of the scintillation spectra of photon radiation;
- identification of gamma radiation sources;
- programming modes
3.2 DER measurement mode* from 0.1 to 100 Sv/h
3.3 Limits of permissible main relative DER
measurement error
%H/K20 




 ,
where

H
– DER value, µSv/h;
К – coefficient = 2,0 µSv/h
3.4 BDG1 in the programming mode enables recording data into non-volatile memory and
continuous control over DER threshold value, as well as sound and light alarming when set threshold
is exceeded. When in the photon radiation DER measurement mode threshold level is exceeded –
discontinuous signal
3.5 Threshold level setting discreteness  unit
of least significant indicated bit. Setting range of
DER thresholds
from 0.01 to 100 µSv/h
3.6 Energies range of registered photon
radiation from 0.03 to 3.0 MeV
3.7 Energy dependence relative to 0,662 MeV
energy, no more than ± 20 %
3.8 Unstable BDG1 readings when measuring
DER during 8 hours of continuous working, no
more than 5 %
3.9 Typical instrument sensitivity to gamma
radiation
900 s-1/(μSv/h) (9.0 s-1/(μR/h)) for 137Cs
3.10 Count rate indication range during photon
radiation registration in the search mode from 1,0 to 70000 s-1
3.11 False operation rate of the BDG1 in the
gamma radiation registration mode at radiation
background no more than 0,25 μSv/h during
10 min of continuous operation, no more than 1* *
3.12 Setting range of quantity of mean square
deviations of current gamma background (further
n coefficient) within the limits
from 1 to 9.9

7
Table 3.1 continued
3.13 Limits of permissible additional relative DER
measurement error must be no more than:
 when ambient air temperature changes from
normal to -20°С, and from normal to +50 °С;
 at ambient air relative humidity 95 % at
35 °С;
 when power supply voltage changes from
nominal to extreme during photon radiation DER
measurement;
 at exposure of 400 A/m magnetic-field
strength during photon radiation DER
measurement;
 at radiofrequency magnetic fields effect
during photon radiation DER measurement;
 10 %
 10 %
 10 %
 10 %
 10 %
3.14 BDG1 with set n coefficient value at which instrument false operations rate is no more than
one event during 10 min of continuous operation, and gamma background level no higher than
0.25 μSv/h, detects standard radioactive sources (SS) and alternative gamma sources, according to
Table 3.1.1, with probability more than 0.5
Table 3.1.1
Source type
Parameter name 133Ba 137Cs 60Co
Gamma source activity, kBq (μCi), 30% 55.0 (1.5) 100.0 (2.7) 50.0 (1.35)
Movement speed (source/instrument), m/s 0.50.05 0.50.05 0.50.05
Distance between the source and detector’s
sensitive surface, m 0.20.005 0.20.005 0.20.005
3.15 Quantity of accumulation channels of gamma radiation
scintillation spectra 1024
3.16 Energy resolution at scintillation spectra registration by
0.662 MeV (137Cs), no more than 8.5 %
3.17 Limit of permissible main error of conversion response
(integral nonlinearity) when registering scintillation spectra, no
more than
0.5 %
3.18 Maximum input statistical load of the BDG1 when
registering scintillation spectra, no more than 75103 с-1
3.19 Data exchange with BDOI or PC USB or RS-485

8
Table 3.1 continued
3.20 Detection efficiency at the total-absorption peak for the gamma-radiation
energy 662 keV radionuclide 137Cs point source OSGI-3 type, located close to the
end surface of the detection unit BDG1 no less than
0.3 ± 0.03
3.21 Instability calibration characteristics BDG1 transformation during continuous
operation 24 hours must be no more than 1 %
3.22 Power supply:
- from BDOI;
- from external power supply (USB)
5,0 (- 0,1; + 0,7) V
3.23 Instrument is resistant to:  ambient air temperature from -20 to 50 оС;
 ambient air relative humidity up to 95 % at 35 оС;
 atmospheric pressure from 84 to 106.7 kPa;
 frosting
3.24 BDG1 is resistant to commercial frequency magnetic fields (400 A/m)
3.25 BDG1 is resistant to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields, test level 4 (30 V/m) within
frequencies range 80-1000 МHz, from 800 to 960 МHz, and from 1.4 to 2.5 GHz (when there is
electromagnetic emission of digital radiophones), performance criterion А
3.26 BDG1 is resistant to electrostatic discharges, test level 3 (air discharge of 8 kV, contact
discharge of 6 kV), performance criterion В
3.27 BDG1 corresponds to ANSI 42.34, section 9.11 requirements by the level of emitted radio-noise
3.28 Operation conditions:
 ambient air temperatures range
 relative humidity
 atmospheric pressure
from -20 to 50 °С;
up to 95 % at 35 С;
from 84 to 106.7 kPa
3.29 BDG1 is resistant to:
 sinusoidal vibrations within 5-500 Hz frequencies range with shift amplitude for frequency lower
than crossover frequency 0.075 mm;
 blows with 100 m/s2 impact acceleration, shock pulse time 2 - 50 ms, blows repetition rate 60 -
180 per minute

9
Table 3.1 continued
3.30 Ingress protection IP65
3.31 BDG1 in transport packaging is
resistant to:
 ambient air temperature from -50 to 50 оС;
 ambient air relative humidity up to 100 % at 40 оС;
 sinusoidal vibrations within frequencies range 10-55 Hz
shift amplitude for frequency lower than crossover frequency
0.35 mm
3.32 BDG1 weight, no more than 1.56 kg
3.33 packaged BDG1 weight, no more than 3 kg
3.34 BDG1 overall dimensions (size), no more than 290x70
3.35 Reliability values:
- mean time between failures, no less than 20000 hours
- mean life time, no less than 10 years
- mean recovery time, no more than 60 min
* Manufacturer guarantees instrument’s technical accuracy when detecting radiation sources, and
instrument false operations rate at factory preset n coefficients: for gamma radiation n=4.0
* * Standard dependence of the upper limit of the measuring range DER of gamma radiation energy
Eγ scintillation detection channel is given in Appendix A
Additional information on the BDG1 can be obtained from the manufacturer or after visiting
the www.polimaster.com

10
4 Design and operation principle
4.1 BDG1 design
Constructed as a monoblock, BDG1 is enclosed in a shockproof container. Detector is based
on the scintillation block with photo amplifier. Scintillation block is based on the NaI monocrystal.
General BDG1 construction is given in the Figure 4.1.
Figure 4.1 – General BDG1 construction
Front panel bears:
1 – LED:
- yellow – BDG1 testing mode indication;
- green – BDG1 calibration mode indication;
2 – Sound (audio) alarm – for sound alarms when set thresholds levels are exceeded;
3 – LED display "ALARM" (blue) – for light alarms when set thresholds levels are exceeded;
4 – Connector for PC or BDOI (RS485 or USB interfaces).
Geometrical (effective) center of the counter surface is marked with the “X” sign on the front
panel, on the back panel, as well as on the counter window covering, Figure 4.2.
1 3
4
2

11
Figure 4.2 – Graduation direction (1) and location of the BDG1 geometrical (effective) center (2)
4.2 Handle. Telescopic extension bar
BDG1 is equipped with a handle (Figure 4.1) to enable convenient operation, and a telescopic
extension bar to enable access to hard-to-reach areas (up to 1.7 m) (Figure 4.3).
Figure 4.3

12
4.3 Operation principle
Operation principle of BDG1 in the search mode is based on the comparison of count rates of
photon radiation with a threshold value calculated on the basis of count rate measurement of current
gamma background and set n coefficients.
Detector impulses processing as well as audible and visual alarm control is realized by BDG1
microcontroller.
BDG1 operation algorithm ensures the continuity of the measurement process, statistical
processing of measurement results, rapid adaptation to radiation intensity changes (measurement time
is inversely proportional to the radiation intensity).
Data communication channel enables information exchange with BDOI by RS-485 interface.
BDG1 is powered from BDOI or PC USB.
4.4 BDG1 marking and sealing
Front panel of BDG1 bears a plate representing the following:
- unit’s name – BDG1-РМ1403;
- manufacturer’s name;
- manufacturer’s trademark;
- year (of the manufacturing);
- serial number;
- instrument’s body protection level IP65;
- state register mark.
4.5 Packaging
BDG1 is packaged into a polyethylene pack and placed into a carton box with operation
documentation and delivery kit.

13
5 Making BDG1 ready for operation
5.1 General notes
Before starting to work with BDG1, carefully read current Operation Manual and Operational
Manual on BDOI, if BDG1 will be used with BDOI.
Illustrations given in the Manual represent the information displayed on the BDOI LCD; they
are used to explain BDG1 operation together with BDOI.
When purchasing BDG1, check the completeness of the BDG1 delivery kit, according to the
Table 2.1.
During operation protect BDG1 against blows and mechanical injuries, corrosive substances,
organic solvents, open fire sources.
5.2 BDG1 power
BDG1 is powered from BDOI or PC USB.
POWER LED on the BDG1 front panel starts blinking (Figure 4.1, position 4) when BDG1 is
being connected to BDOI or PC.
5.3 Safety measures
BDG1 is electrically safe.
All settings, checking, repairs, technical maintenance and verification procedures of BDG1
when radiation sources are used, must be done according to state and local safety instructions for
radioactive sources and other ionizing radiation sources valid at the verification site.
When any radioactive sources are detected, observe current operational rules when working
with radioactive sources.

14
6 Proper use of BDG1
6.1 Switch BDG1 On/Off
6.1.1 BDG1 detection unit is connected to BDOI by cable # 2 or to PC by RS-485 or USB
interface
6.1.2 Connect BDG1 to BDOI.
Connect BDG1 to BDOI using the cable # 2. Switch BDOI on.
To switch BDOI on: press the ON/OFF key on the BDOI case (Figure 6.1, position 11).
When BDOI is switched on, the power is automatically applied to BDG1. At that the POWER
LED will light on the front panel of BDG1 (Figure 4.1, position 1).
1 – emits sound (audio) alarm when set DER, DE thresholds are exceeded;
2 – "ALARM" LED – for alarming;
3 – "BAT" LED – for On/Off state indication or BDOI charging;
4 – GPS receiver;
5 – color LCD 3,5” (89 mm);
6 – keypad keys;
7 – Wi-Fi antenna;
8 – fastening for removable clip, bracket;
9 – GPRS antenna, GSM;
10 – RESET key - restart BDOI operation system;
11 – ON/OFF key – switch BDOI On/Off;
12 – battery compartment;
13 – connector for external detection units (RS485 interface);
14 – connector for PC connection and accumulators charge (USB interface);
15  fastening for removable clip, bracket.
Figure 6.1 – External view of BDOI

15
External view of BDOI keypad and keys functional purpose are given in the Figure 6.2.
1, 2 – , (<<, >>) – quick switching between menu items or parameters;
3 – (MENU/SELECT) – enter selected operation mode of BDOI or highlighted option
of the MENU;
4 – (MODE/BACK/OK) – open the list of BDOI operation modes. Exit or return to the
previous operation mode or option.
Directional pad keys:
5 – (UP), 6 – (DOWN) – vertical cursor scrolling along menu options;
7 – (LEFT), 8 – (RIGHT) – horizontal cursor scrolling;
9 – (ENTER) – this key pressing executes the EXECUTE command, and enables
switching to some program or option.
Figure 6.2 – External view and functional purpose of BDOI keypad keys

16
When BDOI testing and calibration are finished, the BDOI LCD will indicate a connected
BDG1 external detector, in the line "Detector NaI [BDG1]", Figure 6.3 (2).
If BDG1 is connected to the switched on BDOI, then in the indication mode of the BDOI
operation modes select the "Find Detectors" line, Figure 6.3 (1).
To enter the indication mode of the BDG1operation modes: select the "Detector NaI [BDG1]"
line. A window displaying the operation modes of BDG1will be opened, Figure 6.3 (3).
1) 2) 3)
Figure 6.3
Use keypad to control BDOI (Figure 6.2).
BDG1 is switched on and ready for operation.
BDG1 switches off when the cable is disconnected from it, or after BDOI is switched off.
To switch BDOI off: press key ON/OFF and wait till the BDOI switches off.
6.2 Operability control BDG1
Switch on BDG1 as stated in 6.1. Green LED must light on the BDG1 front panel.
Check every BDG1 operation mode operability:
 LED lights green – indicates that the BDG1 test mode is activated (Figure 4.1, position 1);
 LED lights yellow – indicates that the BDG1 calibration mode is activated (Figure 4.1,
position 1);
Switch off BDG1 as stated in 6.1.
6.3 Connect BDG1 to PC
Connect BDG1 to the USB port of the working PC using the cable # 3.
BDG1-PC operation procedure is described in the user program supplied on the CD.
Start user program. Switch BDG1 into the measurement mode of photon radiation DER.

17
6.4 BDG1 operation
BDG1 enables following operation modes:
- measurement of photon radiation DER;
- registration and accumulation of photon radiation scintillation spectra;
- identification of gamma radiation sources;
- search of photon radiation sources;
- connection to the PC.
Use BDOI keypad keys to select the line in the following order: Search Mode → Measurement
Mode →Spectra accumulation → Continue accumulation → Quick identification. Use SELECT key to
switch to the operation mode.
BDG1 automatically enters test mode every time when connected to BDOI. At that the BDOI
LCD will indicates a linear scale that indicates time left till test process termination, Figure 6.4 (1).
After termination of testing, BDG1 automatically enters the gamma background calibration
mode, Figure 6.4 (2). Linear scale in relative units indicates the time passed since the calibration
beginning. Filling of the scale means the end of the calibration. At the end of the calibration BDG1
enters the search mode of photon radiation sources.
1) 2)
Figure 6.4
6.4.1 Photon radiation DER measurement mode
To enter photon radiation DER measurement mode “Measurement mode” it is necessary to
select “Measurement mode” menu option, Figure 6.3 (1-3), in the window displaying operation
modes of the "Detector NaI [BDG1]".
The instrument in the DER measurement mode "Measurement mode" displays continuously
measured DER values of photon radiation in "μSv/h", "mSv/h", "Sv/h" or "μR/h", "mR/h", "R/h",
Figure 6.5 (1).
Statistical error of measured DER is displayed in percents with 0.95 probability under
indicated measurement units on LCD. User can start reading DER measurement data when statistical
error is 10 % or less. The less statistic error, the more accurate measurement result will be.
Level of measured DER is also displayed graphically on analogue scale. Quantity of lighting
analog scale segments corresponds to the measured DER value according to the set DER threshold
value.

18
1) 2)
Figure 6.5
When set DER threshold is exceeded, the analogue scale will be filled completely, and audio
alarm (monotonous single signals being repeated every 3 s) will be activated. The "Threshold is
exceeded" message will be displayed on LCD; measured DER value will be indicated in red blinking
digits. DER threshold exceeded event will be recorded to the instrument’s non-volatile memory.
When DER measurement range is exceeded (overload), BDG1 emits sound alarm
(monotonous single signals being repeated every 3 s) and indicates the "OVL" message on the LCD.
DER measurement mode menu enables following functions, Figure 6.5:
– "Clear Statistic" – start of the count rate and DER measurement;
– "Save To History" - save the history to the BDOI memory;
– "Sound On/Off" – audible alarm on/off switching;
– "Thresholds" – set the detection level thresholds;
– "Send To NPNET".
6.4.2 Scintillation spectrum registration mode
To enter the menu of scintillation spectrum registration mode "Accumulation
Spectrum"/"Continue Accumulation" select in the window displaying operation modes of the
"Detector NaI [BDG1]", Figure 6.6 (1-3), following items:
- "Accumulation spectrum" – to reset the statistics and start new spectrum accumulation;
- "Continue accumulation" – to continue accumulation of the spectrum being accumulated
last, even if this spectrum was saved and processed.
1) 2) 3)
Figure 6.6

19
N o t e  Before spectrum accumulation: take reference spectrum from reference source under
the same conditions that will be applied when taking spectra from tested object. As a reference source
can be used sources such as OSGI-3-2 152Eu, 228Th activity from 50 to 100 kBq. To take the reference
spectrum: place a reference source as close as possible to the geometrical (effective) center of the
gamma detector, and do the following procedure. Take the reference source away from the BDG1
when the reference spectrum accumulation is over, and the spectrum is saved into BDG1 memory.
LCD will display average count rate of the registered photon radiation impulses.
Over the area of the display the measured value display of count rate is analogue scale that
shows the relative value of the measured count rates, Figure 6.7.
1) 2) 3)
Figure 6.7
Pink scale (Figure 6.7 (1)) means that average count rate of gamma channel is low "Low
Count Rate" (less than 200 cps). Low gamma channel load results in uncertain spectrum.
Green scale (Figure 6.7 (2)) means that average count rate of gamma channel corresponds to
optimal load (from 200 to 20000 cps). Optimal gamma channel load results in reliable and
undistorted spectrum.
Red scale (Figure 6.7 (3)) means that average count rate of gamma channel is too high "High
Count Rate" (more than 20000 cps). Too high gamma channel load results in distorted spectrum.
Move to BDG1 as close as necessary to the tested object so that the count rate by detection
unit is within 200-20000 cps and then press OK.
During spectrum accumulation the LCD will display a graph of accumulated spectra in
progress, and time (Figure 6.8 (1)) that passes from the accumulation start. Displayed spectrum is
renewed every 10 s.
1) 2)
Figure 6.8

20
BDG1 accumulates spectrum by 1024 channels. Channel capacity is 65536. It is necessary to
accumulate not less than 104 pulses in the maximum count channel to get a good quality spectrum.
Besides, you can visually determine the time of spectrum accumulation by the graph on LCD: if you
can see clearly distinguishable peaks on the graph, you can stop the spectrum accumulation and start
processing of the spectrum.
Menu of scintillation spectrum registration mode enables the following functions, Figure
6.8 (2):
 "Clear Statistic". Manual statistics reset enables reset of measurement data buffer
accumulated by the BDG1. Instrument starts new spectrum accumulation after statistics are cleared;
 "Identify". Starts process of radionuclide matter composition identification by
accumulated spectrum. Identified radionuclides are classified into groups:
- special nuclear materials;
- medical;
- industrial;
- natural;
 "View Library"  view the radionuclides library;
 "Set Absorber". To obtain more reliable results of the radionuclide composition
identification it is necessary to enter the security settings:
o "Height, mm" – set the material thickness, in mm;
o "Material" – set the material;
 "Options". Select identification report format and graphical spectrum representation on
the BDOI LCD;
 "Save As…". Saving accumulated spectrum;
 "Send to NPNET"  By user command the following data will be sent to the Web-server:
accumulated spectrum file with geographical coordinates (latitude/longitude) of instrument’s
location, current date and time;
 "Spectrum info"  View supplemental information on spectrum;
 "Peak Info"  Information view about the peak spectrum in the position of the marker;
Figure 6.9
Following information is displayed in the lower LCD area (Figure 6.9):
- set speed of marker moving along the spectrum (х2/х4/х8/х16/х32);
- channel number (or energy in KeV (kiloelectronvolt)) where the marker is placed;
- quantity of impulses in this channel;
- spectrum accumulation time.