Polimaster PM1401K-3 User manual

MULTIPURPOSE HAND-HELD
RADIATION MONITOR/IDENTIFIER
РМ1401К-3
OPERATION MANUAL
Modifications:
PM1401K-3
PM1401K-3М
PM1401K-3Р
PM1401K-3A
www.polimaster.com

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Copyright
© Copyright 2013-2017 Polimaster Ltd. All rights reserved. Reproduction,
adaptation or translation without prior written permission is prohibited, except
as allowed under the copyright laws.
Trademarks
Polimaster® is registered trademark of Polimaster Ltd.
Third Party Trademarks
Microsoft® and Windows® are U.S. registered trademarks of Microsoft
Corporation. All other product or service names are the property of their
respective owners.
Product Improvements
Continuous improvement of products is a policy of Polimaster Ltd. and its
affiliates. All specifications, operating and maintenance instructions are subject
to changes that do not make substantial effect on the product functionality
and may be not mentioned in the current Operation Manual.

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CONTENTS
WELCOME ....................................................................................................... 5
INSTRUMENT SAFETY..................................................................................... 5
CHAPTER 1: GENERAL DESCRIPTION ............................................................ 6
Introduction....................................................................................................... 6
Delivery kit ......................................................................................................... 7
Accessories......................................................................................................... 8
Design................................................................................................................15
Display and control buttons........................................................................16
CHAPTER 2: OPERATION .............................................................................. 19
Belt clip installation/removal ......................................................................19
Batteries installation......................................................................................19
Powering PM1401K-3 from external power supply ..............................21
Turning the instrument On/Off .................................................................. 22
Alarms................................................................................................................25
High ambient temperature indication .....................................................26
Indication of counting statistics................................................................. 26
“Search γ (γn)”mode ......................................................................................27
“Measure γ (γn)” Mode..................................................................................33
“Search αβγ” mode ......................................................................................39
“Identify γ” mode ......................................................................................... 42
“Spectrum γ” mode......................................................................................47
“Measure αβ” mode.....................................................................................54
“Activity γ” mode..........................................................................................61
“Register n” mode ........................................................................................68
“History” mode..............................................................................................69
CHAPTER 3: SETUP ....................................................................................... 71
“Settings” menu.............................................................................................. 71
Manufacturer’s defaults................................................................................77

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Language settings.......................................................................................... 78
CHAPTER 4: PC COMMUNICATION .............................................................. 79
CHAPTER 5: MAINTENANCE......................................................................... 79
Functionality check........................................................................................ 79
Energy calibration check and manual calibration................................. 80
STORAGE AND TRANSPRTATION ................................................................ 84
TROUBLESHOOTING..................................................................................... 84
Appendix A: Detectors’ positions ............................................................... 86
Appendix B: Dependence of measurement time on flux density of α and
β- particles.................................................................................................... 87
Appendix C: Typical energy dependence of the PM1401K-3 sensitivity to
β
- radiation energy ...................................................................................... 88
Appendix D: Technical specifications ......................................................... 89

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WELCOME
Thank you for purchasing the PM1401K-3 Multipurpose Hand-Held Radiation
Monitor/Identifier. Before operating the instrument, please read this guide
thoroughly, and retain it for future reference.
PM1401K-3 belongs to a new family of Polimaster extremely sensitive and
compact multipurpose hand-held radiation monitors.
The user need not be an expert in health physics to operate this instrument;
however, understanding basic parameters and settings is required for proper
operation.
INSTRUMENT SAFETY
Please follow the instrument safety instructions to avoid unintended damage
of the instrument:
•Always make sure the rechargeable batteries are installed in the
instrument before you select “Enable charging” in the “Power”
submenu of “Settings” menu. Do not attempt to recharge alkaline
batteries, otherwise they may overheat or leak and this will void
the warranty;
•Handle the PM1401K-3 with extra care when the mica window of
Geiger-Muller detector is opened. The detector is fragile and may
be unintentionally damaged when performing surveys.
•Avoid severe mechanical shocks and submerging the instrument
in water;
•Do not store the instrument with the batteries installed. The
batteries may leak once depleted causing severe damage to the
instrument and voiding the warranty;
•Do not expose the instrument to high temperatures. Operating
environment temperature range of the instrument shall be above -
30°C (-22°F) and below +50°C (+122°F).

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CHAPTER 1: GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Introduction
PM1401K-3 can continuously measure ambient dose equivalent rate Ḣ*(10)
(hereinafter referred to as “dose equivalent rate”) of gamma and x-ray radiation
in the wide energy range, monitor alpha, beta and neutron radiations, work as
spectrometer of gamma radiation and radioisotope identifier, and measure
food/soil contamination with 137Cs radionuclide.
All operation history is stored in the instrument non-volatile memory and may
be downloaded to a personal computer through a USB interface. PM1401K-3 is
also equipped with built-in GPS to enable saving the readings to instrument
memory with tied measurement location coordinates.
The instrument can be used both indoors and outdoors and is intended for
everyday and/or emergency use by firefighters, military, police and other first
responding agencies.
There are four modifications of PM1401K-3 available for the order. They differ
in kind of detector used to register neutron radiation:
•PM1401K-3 is a base model of the instrument. It uses 3He tubefor
detection and registration of neutron radiation;
•PM1401K-3P is a model of the instrument that uses 6LiI(Eu)
scintillator based neutron detector which neutron sensitivity is
similar to the base model - PM1401K-3;
•PM1401K-3A is a model of the instrument that uses small volume
6LiI(Eu) neutron detector;
•PM1401K-3M is a gamma-only model of the instrument without
neutron detection capabilities.

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Delivery kit
The standard delivery kit is shown in the figure below:
The following items are included into the PM1401K-3 standard delivery kit:
The PM1401K-3 instrument
Protective case
Set of spacer rings (3 pcs.) is used for α and β-
radiation measurement
Set of α-radiation filters (2 sets) is used for α and β-
radiation measurement
USB Power Cable is used for PC-communication
and recharging the rechargeable batteries)
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1
3
5
4
6
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AA-LR6 batteries (2 pcs.)
Belt Clip
Operation Manual and Software Guide (CD-ROM)
Calibration and Warranty Certificates
Accessories
The following optional accessories can be used with PM1401K-3:
External vibrator with the wristband is used for
operation in noisy environment and/or performing a
hidden search
Calibration cap is used for energy calibration check
and calibration
Telescopic extension pole is used to operate the
instrument in remote and hard-to-reach areas
Additional neutron moderator is used to increase
the instrument sensitivity to neutron radiation
Tripod is used to measure the 137Cs activity in soil,
food and water
Set of Marinelli beakers is used to measure the 137Cs
activity in soil, food and water
Holster is used for easy carrying the instrument
The optional accessories are not included into the standard delivery kit and can
be ordered separately.

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1.3.1. External vibrator
The PM1401K-3 is equipped with built-in audible and light alarms. Optionally
the instrument can be supplied with an external alarm vibrator. It allows
searching for radiation sources in highly noisy environment and/or performing
a hidden search, when audible alarm is disabled. The external vibrator is also
equipped with additional wristband to hold it secure on the wrist to perform
hidden search. Please see the pictures below for guidance.
Connect the external vibrator cable to the instrument. The vibrator cable has a
secure push/pull connector to hold into the position. To connect the vibrator,
locate the port on the bottom of PM1401K-3, as depicted in the figure below.
Guide the connector until it locks into the position.
CAUTION: Do not grasp the cable or the
rear part of the
connector house, since this may damage the connector.
To disconnect the connector, grasp the outer knurled sleeve, and pull straight
back.
Fig. 2 - PM1401K-3 external vibrator connector
a.
b.
Fig. 1 - PM1401K-3 external vibrator wristband
a.
b.

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1.3.2. Telescopic extension pole
Optional telescopic extension pole can be used with PM1401K-3 to operate the
instrument in remote and hard-to-reach areas. Adjust the length of telescopic
extension pole by using two clamps located on the handle.
It also allows connecting the external vibrator to the pole handle and the
instrument socket. The PM1401K-3 telescopic extension pole also has a
shoulder belt for operational comfort.
Fig. 4 - Connecting the external vibrator to the
telescopic extension pole
Fig. 3 - Telescopic extension pole
Clamps

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1.3.3. Neutron moderator
Additional neutron moderator can be used to increase the instrument
sensitivity to neutron radiation significantly. The PM1401K-3 neutron
moderator is supplied with a shoulder belt for wearing comfort.
To install the instrument into the neutron moderator:
•Remove the instrument clip;
•Unfasten the takedown screws on the left and right side of the
chamber and open it;
•Place the instrument into the chamber so that the instrument’s
button pad coincides with the chamber’s buttons and the
instrument's LCD is seen through the moderator window;
•Close the chamber and tighten the takedown screws.
PM1401K-3 is now ready to operate.
Fig. 5 - PM1401K-3 Neutron moderator
Takedown
screws

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1.3.4. Tripod and set of Marinelli beakers
The tripod and the set of Marinelli beakers are used to measure the activity of
137Cs in various substances (food, soil, water etc.) in the “Activity γ” mode. To
install the instrument to the tripod:
•Assemble the tripod legs and screw them in the corresponding
screw-holes of the holder panel;
•Unscrew the takedown screw of the retention bar of the
instrument holder panel and pull out the bar;
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•Place the instrument in the holderpanel hole as it is shown in the
figure below. Lock the instrument with the retention bar and fix
its position with the takedown screw;
•Install the Marinelli Beaker on the Scintillation detector of
PM1401K-3.
PM1401K-3 is now ready to perform the measurement of 137Cs radionuclide
activity.
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6

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1.3.5. Calibration cap
The optional calibration cap is used for energy calibration check and manual
energy calibration.
Fig. 6 – Calibration cap
1.3.6. Holster
Optionally PM1401K-3 can be delivered with a holster for easy carrying the
instrument. It can also be fixed on the waist belt using a belt loop.
Fig. 7 – Holster

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Design
Fig. 8 – PM1401K-3 design
Display;
Button pad;
Clip holder (both on the front and on the back sides);
LEMO outlet for the external vibrator and USB Power cable;
Audible alarm buzzer;
Visual alarm LED;
Batteries compartment;
Batteries compartment cover;
γ, β-filter;
CsI(Tl) scintillation detector (for gamma radiation detection and
spectroscopy);
Geiger-Muller detector (for α -,β -,γ – radiation surveys);
Neutron detector (for neutron radiation surveys)1.
1For gamma-neutron modifications only

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Display and control buttons
The instrument display has three main information zones that are used to
display the following information:
Zone 1. Service panel. This information zone may display the following
information:
– External power supply icon
– Batteries charging icon;
– Batteries charge level icon;
– Low power icon;
, – sound alarm speaker status icons;
– USB communication with PC icon;
– search mode icon;
– “GPS receiver icon is On and operating” icon;
– “GPS receiver is On and searches for the satellites” icon;
– “Buttons disabled” icon;
– current time and date;
- warnings and system messages.
Gamma-neutron modifications
Fig. 9 - Display
Gamma modifications
1
2
3

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Zone 2. Main display area. This information zone indicates instrument
readings in various operation modes. Fig. 10 displays an example of the
readings in the “Search γ” mode (for PM1401K-3М) and in the “Search γn"
mode (for PM1401K-3, PM1401K-3Р, PM1401K-3A ).
The area can also display the analog bar. In different modes the bar may be
used to indicate various information, such as time left until completion of self-
tests or background calibration, or show the current value of radiation
background in excess of the preset alarm threshold.
Zone 3. Buttons panel. This information zone shows the functions that are
currently assigned to the instrument buttons. The figure below displays the
reference between button assignment and panel symbols.
Fig. 10 – Buttons assignment
The four buttons of PM1401K-3 will be referred hereinafter in the text of the
Manual to as UP, DOWN, LEFT and RIGHT.
The following symbols may be displayed in this zone:
, -backlight timeout disabling/enabling icons. To disable/enable the
backlight timeout, press the DOWN button. To change the backlight
brightness, press and hold the DOWN button. The LCD will display the
brightness scale (see figure below).
DOWN
UP
LEFT
RIGHT

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Set the necessary brightness by pressing the LEFT or RIGHT button. To close the
brightness scale, press the UP or DOWN button.
- accessing a submenu icon;
- moving the cursor up and down icons;
, - audible alarm disabling \ enabling icons (see “Alarms” section);
,- assignment description textboxes for RIGHT and LEFT buttons.

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CHAPTER 2: OPERATION
Belt clip installation/removal
The instrument comes with a clip, which may be used to fasten the instrument
to a waist belt or a pocket. The clip is installed on one of the clip holders on the
front or on the back panel and pushed in the direction of the white arrow (see
Fig. 11) until a click.
Fig. 11 - PM1401K-3 clip installation
To remove the clip press the clip locker panel (the panel is marked with the red
arrow) and move the clip in the direction of the white arrow.
Batteries installation
РМ1401K-3 is packaged without batteries installed. To install the batteries,
open the batteries compartment cover with a coin or screwdriver. Once
opened, insert two AA batteries loading the positive (+) end first.
Reinstall the batteries compartment cover and tighten it. When the batteries
are properly installed, the audible and vibration alarms are initiated for a short
period and the instrument goes through startup procedures.

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Fig. 12 – Batteries installation
PM1401K-3 can be powered with either regular alkaline or rechargeable NiMh
batteries.
CAUTION: Always select the proper type of
batteries in
the“Power” submenu of “Settings” menu when you install new
batteries (see the figure below).
Otherwise the batteries may
overheat or leak when the instrument is connected to a Power /
USB outlet. This may cause malfunction of PM1401K-3 and will
void the warranty.
When “Enable charging” is selected, it is possible to recharge the
rechargeable batteries in the batteries compartment by connecting
the instrument to an external power supply.
When “Disable
charging” is selected, charging the alkaline batteries in the batteries
compartment is
disabled while the instrument charges from an
external power supply.
Install only new and the same batteries.
The recommended
battery is Energizer L91BP-2 AA. The user may install other