Rae GammaRAE II Responder User manual

GammaRAE II Responder
User’s Guide
www.raesystems.com
Intrinsically Safe Personal Radiation
Monitor and Dosimeter
P/N 047-4404-000
Revision A, June 2006

Read Before Operating
This manual must be carefully read by all individuals who
have or will have the responsibility of using, maintaining,
or servicing this product. The product will perform as
designed only if it is used, maintained, and serviced in
accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
CAUTION!
To reduce the risk of electric shock, turn off power and remove
batteries before removing the monitor cover. Never operate this
monitor while the cover is removed. Remove monitor cover and
sensor modules only in an area known to be non-hazardous.
WARNING
To prevent ignition of flammable or combustible atmospheres,
disconnect power before servicing.
WARNING
Do not mix old batteries with used batteries or mix batteries
from different manufacturers.
WARNING
Substitution of components may impair intrinsic safety.
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Contains Transmitter Module
FCC ID: S22BTMODULE-CL2
This product complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to
the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interfer-
ence, and (2) This device must accept any interference received, including
intereference that may cause undesired operation.

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Warnings
For safety reasons, this equipment must be operated
and serviced by qualified personnel only. Read
and understand the user manual completely before
operating or servicing.
Computer Interface
Do not transfer data by means of the Bluetooth interface in
hazardous atmospheres.
Static Hazard
Clean only with a damp cloth.
Long-Term Storage
Reliable performance of this radiation detector is based upon
regular usage. For long-term storage, the battery should be
disconnected. Preparation for use after long storage requires
installation of the batteries and a warm-up period of at least
10 minutes for the sensors to equilibrate. The user should
recognize that sensor life is based upon the purchase date.
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Avertissements
Pour des raisons de sécurité, cet équipement doit
être utilisé, entretenu et réparé uniquement par un
personnel qualifié. Étudier le manuel d’instructions
en entier avant d’utiliser, d’entretenir ou de réparer
l’équipement.
Câble de Computer
Ne transférez pas les données au moyen de l’interface de
bluetooth en atmosphères dangereuses.
Danger Risque D’origine Electrostatique
Nettoyer uniquement avec un chiffon humide.
Stockage à Long Term
Le fonctionnement durable de ce détecteur de rayonnement
est conditionné par une utilisation régulière de celui ci. Lors
d’un stockage à long terme, la batterie doit être déconnectée.
Le rédémarrage aprés une longue période d’arrêt, nécessite la
réinstallation de la batterie, et une période de chauffage de 10 mn
afin que les capteurs se mettent à l’équilibre. L’utilisateur doit être
conscient que la durée de vie indiquée pour le capteur démarre à
sa date d’achat.
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Contents
GammaRAEIIResponderFeatures ..............................4
GeneralInformation...........................................5
Inserting&ReplacingBatteries..................................6
UserInterface ...............................................7
UserInterfaceIcons...........................................8
Turning the GammaRAE II Responder On and Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
FlippingtheScreen ..........................................12
Operation ..................................................13
NormalOperatingMode ...................................13
NORM ................................................14
BGND ................................................14
PEAK.................................................15
MIN ..................................................15
DOSE.................................................16
TIME .................................................16
STAT .................................................17
COMM................................................17
TEST .................................................18
Programming Mode and Basic User Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Alarms ................................................22
Datalog................................................24
Basics .................................................25
BackLight ...........................................26
TempUnit ............................................26
GammaUnit ..........................................26
ChangeDate ..........................................26
ChangeTime..........................................27
Quit .................................................27
Defaults ...............................................28
Default Settings and Parameter Ranges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Specications ...............................................31
LimitedWarranty............................................34

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LED alarm
LCD showing operation
parameters and
radiation measurements
MODE key for
selecting mode
and function
Buzzer alarm
SET key for
selecting
or setting
parameters
Battery
compartment
cover screw Belt clip
Battery
compartment
LED alarm
Front View
Rear/Side View
GammaRAE II Responder Features

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General Information
The GammaRAE II Responder is a
rapid γ-ray (gamma) source detector and
dosimeter in a single unit. Because of
its high sensitivity at low radiation
levels, it can alert rst responders
to the presence of a radiation threat
well before they might be exposed
to health-threatening levels. Its high
range and dosimeter functionality also
allow rst responders to accurately
track their dose at higher levels of radiation. It is the only
intrinsically safe personal radiation monitor with a loud
audible alarm, big, bright ashing LEDs, and a vibration
alarm. For stealth operations, law enforcement personnel can
disable each alarm separately.
GammaRAE II Responder’s water-resistant design makes for
reliable operation in wet environments. Its sensitive Cesium
Iodide (CsI) scintillator and energy-compensated PIN diode
provide fast (less than 2 seconds) response to radiological
threats.
The GammaRAE II Responder accumulates accurate,
energy-compensated dosage. Stored dosage data can be
cumulative or cleared and reset for each use period.

6GammaRAE II Responder
Inserting & Replacing Batteries
GammaRAE II Responder uses two AA alkaline batteries as
its power source (use only Duracell MN1500 or
Energizer E91). To change the batteries:
1. Use the provided tool to open the cover
on the side of the unit. Turn the screw
counterclockwise to loosen the screw,
and then tilt the cover
off.
2. Insert batteries into
the compartment
according to the
legend on the rear of the GammaRAE II Responder,
making sure the batteries’ polarity is correct.
3. Replace the cover and turn the screw
clockwise to secure the cover.

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User Interface
GammaRAE II Responder’s user interface consists of the
display, LEDs, alarm transducer and two buttons, labeled
MODE and SET. The LCD display provides visual feedback
that includes time, functional mode, battery condition, and
gamma radiation measurement.
LCD display
Current time
Alarm information
Battery status
Functional
mode
Gamma radiation
measurement
Unit of
measure
S
E
T
M
O
D
E
MODE and SET switches
Datalog indication

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User Interface Icons
Icon Indication
Battery Voltage low
Battery Low alarm triggered
Battery fully charged
Low Gamma alarm triggered
High Gamma alarm triggered
Gamma Over-Range (reading over 10 R/h)
Gamma Overload. Reading more than two times
over-range
Datalogging active (ashing)
Turning GammaRAE II Responder On and Off
Turning GammaRAE II Responder On
Press and hold the MODE button for 3 seconds. As
GammaRAE II Responder starts up, the following occur:
1. A long beep sounds (if the buzzer is set to On), and
unit information and the current rmware version are
displayed. The LEDs and vibrator undergo a self-test.

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Important! If your GammaRAE II Responder
displays “Gamma sensor failed” or “All sensors
failed!” contact your distributor or RAE Systems
service at [phone]. Do not attempt to use or
repair the unit. There are no user-serviceable parts in
the GammaRAE II Responder.
2. Unit self-check. The time and battery status are
displayed:
During the 20-second self-check, the detector checks
that the low gamma sensor (scintillator) is functioning
properly. If so, the message “Gamma sensor OK!” is
displayed.

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If the low gamma sensor is damaged or not functioning
properly, the message “Gamma sensor failed" is
displayed, turn the unit off and contact your distributor
or the RAE Systems service department.
The high gamma sensor (PIN diode) is also tested
continuously for the rst 30 minutes of operation. If
the high gamma sensor is damaged or not functioning
properly, the message "HiGamma sensor failed"
is displayed, turn the unit off and contact your
distributor or the RAE Systems service department.
3. The datalog type is displayed, followed by the
alarm mode. These parameters can be changed in
Programming Mode, described later in this guide.
or
or

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4. Background calibration reading (Search Mode only).
The GammaRAE II Responder performs a 36-second
background reading countdown.
When background calibration reading is complete, datalogging
starts (if Continuous Datalogging is enabled) and the unit is in
Normal Operating Mode. The display looks like this:
Turning GammaRAE II Responder Off
Press the MODE button and hold it for 5 seconds. The detector
counts down 5 seconds and then turns itself off. Do not release
the MODE button until the unit counts down to zero and the
display reads “Save cong...” and “Stop unit...”

12 GammaRAE II Responder
Flipping the Screen
The GammaRAE II Responder is easy to read, whether held
in the hand or clipped to a belt. To ip the screen, press the
SET button and hold it down for 3 seconds. When the image
inverts, release the button.
To ip the display again, hold SET for 3 seconds.

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Operation
The GammaRAE II Responder has two modes: Normal
Operating Mode and Programming Mode. Normal Operating
Mode is the default; see Programming Mode, on page 20, for
details on entering and using Programming Mode.
Normal Operating Mode
In Normal Operating Mode, the GammaRAE II Responder
detects gamma radiation and accumulates radiation dosage
data. In Normal Operating Mode, pressing the MODE button
sequentially steps the unit through the following functions:
NORM Normal Operating Mode
BGND Background calibration (only in Search Mode)
PEAK Maximum radiation level detected since last cleared
MIN Minimum radiation level detected since last cleared
DOSE Accumulated radiation dosage since last cleared
TIME Time, date, and time unit has been on
STAT Detector status (battery voltage and internal temp.)
COMM Open Bluetooth
®
communication with computer
TEST Self test (if Diagnostic Flag is set during start-up)
Each function remains active for 60 seconds before
automatically returning to the Normal Operating Mode.
Pressing the MODE button changes the selection from one
function to the next one in the sequence.

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The BGND, PEAK, MIN, DOSE, TIME, STAT and TEST
screens can each be enabled or disabled using the ProRAE
Studio Radiation software. The NORM and COMM screens
are always enabled.
NORM
Normal Operating Mode of the GammaRAE II
Responder.
Displays a measurement of the ambient radiation.
Can display in counts per second (cps) or divisions
of R/h or Sv/h, depending on how the detector is set
up (see Programming Mode). Switch back and forth
between units by pressing the SET button.
Press the MODE button to step to the next function.
BGND
Background reading. This option is only active if the
GammaRAE II Responder is in Search Mode. This
option is skipped if the detector is in Safety Mode.
Press the SET button to have the detector update the
background radiation reading.

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Press the MODE button to step to the next function.
PEAK
The maximum radiation level detected since last
cleared.
Press the SET button twice to clear the PEAK value.
If you press SET once but do not want to clear the
reading, press MODE to return to the PEAK reading.
The PEAK value is also cleared when the detector is
turned off.
Press the MODE button to step to the next function.
MIN
The minimum radiation level detected since last cleared.
Press the SET button twice to clear the MIN value.
If you press SET once but do not want to clear the
reading, press MODE to return to the MIN reading.

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The MIN value is also cleared when the detector is
turned off.
Press the MODE button to step to the next function.
DOSE
The total radiation dose since last cleared.
Press the SET button twice to clear the DOSE value.
If you press SET once but do not want to clear the
DOSE reading, press MODE to return to the DOSE
reading.
Press the MODE button to step to the next function.
TIME
Time, date, and run time. Date is displayed in
YYYY-MM-DD format (can be set in Programming
Mode). Time is displayed in HH:MM:SS format (can
be set in Programming Mode).

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On Run time from when the detector was turned
on (shown in hours and minutes, 0000:00).
Press the MODE button to step to the next function.
STAT
Detector status.
BattV Battery voltage
Temp Internal temperature (can be displayed in °C
or °F – see Programming Mode).
Press the MODE button to step to the next function.
COMM
Communicate with a computer using Bluetooth®
radio. Press SET to open the connection on the
GammaRAE II Responder unit end.

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Use the ProRAE Studio Radiation Software on
your computer to download datalogs and change
conguration settings.
TEST
Self test. This consists of tests to make sure all alert
functions are working properly. This function is only
enabled if the Diagnostic Flag was set at start-up,
and Diagnostic Mode is allowed in ProRAE Studio
Radiation. To set the Diagnostic Flag, press and hold
SET and MODE simultaneously when turning the
unit on, instead of pressing MODE only.
Press the SET button to accept and to initiate testing.
The Buzzer is tested. Press the SET button to start the
next test.