SAPHYMO AlphaE User manual

Hand-Held Device for
Radon Concentration &
Personal Radon Exposure
User Manual
07/2016

2/33
Saphymo GmbH
Heerstraße 149, D-60488
Frankfurt am Main –Germany
Phone:+ 49 69 97 6 5 14 –0
Fax: + 49 69 76 35 27
E-Mail: [e-mail]
URL: http://www.saphymo.com
AlphaE_Manual_E-2016-07

AlphaE –User Manual 07/2016 1
Contents
1FOREWORD 3
2INTRODUCTION / GENERAL ISSUES 3
3SCOPE OF DELIVERY 5
4INSTRUCTIONS FOR SAFETY 5
5INSTRUCTIONS FOR FIRST START-UP 6
6TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION OF ALPHAE 6
6.1 PRINCIPLE OF DETECTION AND OPERATION 6
6.2 CASE 7
6.2.1 DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT 7
6.3FUNCTIONAL AND CONTROL ELEMENTS 8
6.3.1 MINI-USB PORT 8
6.3.2 ON/OFF BUTTON 8
6.3.3 MODE BUTTON 9
6.3.4 LC DISPLAY 9
6.3.5 BEEPER 10
6.3.6 AIR ENTRANCE WINDOW 10
6.4 OPERATION OF ALPHAE 10
6.4.1 STARTING THE MEASUREMENT 10
6.4.2 DISPLAYING AVAILABLE PARAMETERS AND CHANGING SETTINGS 11
6.4.3 BACKLIGHT OF DISPLAY 15
6.4.4 SWITCHING THE DEVICE OFF 15
7COMMUNICATION SOFTWARE MODULE 16
7.1 INSTALLATION OF COMMUNICATION SOFTWARE MODULES 16
7.2 WORKING WITH THE COMMUNICATION SOFTWARE 16
7.2.1 ESTABLISHING THE CONNECTION BETWEEN ALPHAE AND PC 16
7.2.2 READING OUT THE STATUS 17
7.2.3 CHANGING USER PARAMETERS 19
7.2.4 INSTRUMENT CONFIGURATION 21
7.2.5 DOWNLOADING MEASUREMENT DATA 22
7.2.6 GENERATING A CHART 24
7.2.7 PRINTING OUT THE VALUE TABLE 25
7.2.8 EXPORTING AND IMPORTING DATA 25
8ACCESSORIES 27
8.1 WALL SUPPORT 27

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8.2 BELT POUCH 27
9TECHNICAL DATA 29
10 LITERATURE 30

AlphaE –User Manual 07/2016 3
1 Foreword
Congratulations for purchasing AlphaE. AlphaE is a light-weight and
handheld device for monitoring the personal radon exposure and dose
as well as for short-/long-term radon surveillance indoors, outdoors or in
caves and mines. AlphaE combines a number of extraordinary character-
istics such as:
Up to 6 months autonomous operation on rechargeable battery
Huge storage capacity (> 8500 data sets)
Free selectable measurement/storage cycle (1 min … 12 h)
Sophisticated smoothing algorithm allows stable results also be-
low 100 Bq/m³ at comparatively short response times to gradi-
ents
Calculation and recording of the dose based on a user adjustable
equilibrium factor
Simultaneous recording and storing of auxiliary parameters (air
temperature, humidity and pressure as well as tampering)
Two alarm levels for the Radon-222 concentration as well as one
threshold for the dose can be predefined
Whenever required mean Radon-222 results, dose, temperature
as well as the settings can be brought to the display.
Typical application fields are:
Short-/long-term monitoring of radon in buildings, caves, mines,
soil gas …
Measurement of personal exposure and dosimetry for workers in
health centers, mines, waterworks …
Radon measurements for designing mitigation activities
2 Introduction / General Issues
Radon is a noble gas and is permanently generated in soil and rocks by
radioactive decay of radium, a natural radio nuclide. Building materials
containing Uranium minerals release radon as well. Radon is colorless,
odorless and tasteless and occurs everywhere in the world.
The relatively long half-life of Radon-222 (t1/2: 3,8 d) is essential to
occurrence and spreading of this isotope: The radon gas which escapes
from the soil reaches the atmosphere and moves into the interior of
buildings through holes, gaps and cracks in the stonework. The ratio of
the radon concentration to be found in indoor air to the concentration in
soil air typically amounts to 1 to 5 ‰ (BFS).
Radon –mainly absorbed by inhalation –accounts for about 50 % of the
radiation hazard human beings are exposed to. As high Radon exposure
increases the risk of lung cancer this radio nuclide is of high concern in
radiation protection.

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Measurements provide clarity! According to this principle measure-
ments of the radon exposure form the fundamental requirements for
assessing the risk human beings are subjected to, for adopting
appropriate safety measures as well as for planning and implementing
mitigation actions for the population and workers.
Generally, assessments of human radon exposure and dose are derived
from averaged measurements of the radon concentration at the spots
where the people habitually stay like homes and work places, ignoring
the actual use of the premises. As peoples’ living behaviour and residing
habits affect the prevailing level of radon and its decay products on a
high degree the above mentioned approach implies significant
uncertainties in determining the real personal radon exposure and
received dose. Accurate exposure and dose estimation can be obtained
by using active measurement devices which provide real-time data and
are permanently worn by the persons under surveillance.
For this purpose AlphaE , based on a silicon diode diffusion chamber, a
light-weight personal exposimeter, has been developed by a cooperation
of the Munich Helmholtz Centre and Saphymo GmbH, Germany. AlphaE
is available in two versions:
AlphaE (SI): Displays and stores the values in SI units (Bq, Sv and °C)
AlphaE (US): Displays and stores the values in US units (Ci, rem and °F)
Combining all suitable features AlphaE represents an appropriate tool for
recording the personal exposure to radon and the accumulated dose as
well as for stationary short- and long-term monitoring of indoor radon
concentration. The detector provides a wide measurement range up to
10 MBq/m³ and is sufficiently sensitive for reliable measurements also
below 100 Bq/m³.
This manual describes all basic functions of the AlphaE necessary for
complying with above mentioned measuring requirements. It contains
general advice for safe handling as well as recommendations for reason-
able use. The goal is to quickly put the user in a position to conduct
high-quality measurements and screenings.
In principle AlphaE is a user-friendly instrument. Its few functions can
be mastered easily, quickly making the instruction manual superfluous.
For any questions that are not answered by this manual, please contact
Saphymo GmbH directly. We will do our best to solve the problem quick-
ly.

AlphaE –User Manual 07/2016 5
3 Scope of delivery
Basic configuration
The basic delivery scope includes:
 AlphaE handheld radon exposimeter device
USB Mains charger/adapter
USB cable (USB to Mini USB)
DataVIEW communication and evaluation software (on CD)
Options
Available accessories (see chapter 8, page 27):
Wall support
Belt pouch
Suitcase for 1 x AlphaE and accessories
Suitcase for 5 x AlphaE and accessories
Dust protection bag
4 Instructions for Safety
AlphaE is a user-friendly and easy to handle instrument and complies
with relevant EN/IEC norms with regard to safety requirements and
electromagnetic compatibility (declaration of conformity on request).
Nevertheless, for the user’s particular safety and for assuring undis-
turbed functioning of the device, please strictly obey following instruc-
tions:
Do not expose the device to rain or excess moisture of any kind.
Do not allow liquid to enter the openings of the case (namely:
diffusion orifice and USB socket).
Do not operate the device in corrosive environment.
Avoid excess exposure to dust - use the belt pouch or dust pro-
tection bag (Tyvek).
Do not cover the diffusion inlet of the device during measure-
ment.
The battery charger works with 100 - 240 V power supply. Pay
attention to the danger of high voltage! Only use the original or
technically compatible charging devices.
Detector and electronics are highly sensitive components and re-
spond under certain circumstances also to electromagnetic fields.
Hence wireless (DECT) and cellular phones should be kept on a
distance of at least 20 cm to the AlphaE .
In case of failure do not open the device nor try to repair it !

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5 Instructions for first Start-Up
With completely charged battery the AlphaE allows autonomous opera-
tion of up to 6 months.
Note: Before starting up the device for the first time the battery
should be charged for minimum 6 hours.
Charging of the AlphaE can be performed
either directly by mains, connecting the device to the charging
adapter using attached USB cable
or
indirectly via PC by connecting the device to a running computer
using attached USB cable.
During charging the display shows a flashing battery symbol.
Note: We recommend recharging the device every 3 months in
order to prevent power failure during operation.
6 Technical Description of AlphaE
6.1 Principle of Detection and Operation
1
AlphaE is an active measurement device for detecting and recording
the radon concentration, exposure and dose. Based on the diffusion
principle with silicon detector the radon gas diffuses through the entry
holes of the case into the inner of the diffusion chamber. As the holes
are entirely covered by a Gore-Tex membrane only the radon gas can
enter the chamber while the decay products, also called radon
daughters (Polonium, Lead, Bismuth), are retained by the filter.
Hence, the measurement performs independently from fluctuating
external parameters like aerosol concentration and air humidity. This is
worthwhile to mention, as these factors have a big impact on the
measurement of radon progenies but no influence on the radon gas.
The alpha radiation emitted during the decay of Radon-222 is recorded
by the silicon detector. However, along with the decay of Radon-222
also its progenies develop in the interior of the chamber and separate
out at its walls. The alpha radiation caused by the Radon progenies
when decaying is proportional to the Radon-222 concentration inside the
chamber. Its radiation contribution accounts for the major part of the
signal and is considered accordingly by the evaluating algorithm and
calibration factor.
Voltage pulses generated by the silicon detector are subsequently
amplified, counted, converted to the required units and stored by the
mirco controller in accordance to the predefined measurement cycle.
In addition to the discrete measurement values derived from the
accumulated counts in the course of respective measurement cycle as
!
!

AlphaE –User Manual 07/2016 7
described before, a floating (sliding) mean is calculated permanently,
stored and always shown on the display of the device. This mode
suppresses the statistical fluctuations and allows the AlphaE even at low
radon concentration levels to always provide on its display a reliable
value which is adjusted for statistical outliers.
It should be mentioned at this point that there is a principle goal conflict
between the requirement of providing stable and reliable measurement
values also at low radon concentrations and the demand of a fast and
appropriate response on possible radon gradients. We have
implemented the most suitable smoothing characteristics in order to
optimally meet both requirements. However, the user is able to adjust
the smoothing factor according to his specific needs (communication
software).
Besides the Radon concentration the accumulated dose is calculated on
basis of factors for the equilibrium concentration (EEC) and dose
conversion. Both factors are preset and can be adjusted by the user
according to his condidions and requirements. (communication
software) The dose data is continuesly accumulated and stored. The
recent value can be called up on the display whenever required.
Inbuilt sensors for measuring air temperature, humidity and pressure as
well as for recording shock and relocation events (tampering) provide
auxiliary data. These values are also stored along with the radiological
data and serve for thorough analysis especially of the dynamics of Ra-
don.
Two alarm thresholds can be defined for the radon concentration as well
as one limit value for the accumulated dose.
6.2 Case
All the electronic components of the AlphaE radon exposimeter are
housed in an impact resistant aluminum case. The case consists of a
rectangular hollow section that is sealed with aluminum molds at the
front and back. The outer dimensions of the AlphaE are:
6.2.1 Dimensions and Weight
Width : 68 mm
Weight : 165 g
Height : 108 mm
Depth : 30 mm

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6.3 Functional and Control Elements
AlphaE provides the following functional and control elements:
Mini USB (upper front side)
ON/OFF button
Mode button
Multifunctional display (6 digits LCD + 5 digit alphanumeric)
Beeper
Air entrance window Diffusion orifice (arrangement of drill holes
covered by a membrane)
6.3.1 Mini-USB port
AlphaE provides an interface based on standard USB which is designed
as Mini-USB socket. The port serves for data exchange between AlphaE
and a PC (download of measurement data and parameterization of the
device) as well as for charging the inbuilt battery. The device can be
charged by a PC alternatively by using a mains charger which is suited
with a Mini-USB plug (5 VDC).
6.3.2 ON/OFF Button
ON/OFF button serves for switching the AlphaE on/off and for activating
the display backlight (see chapter 6.4.1., 6.4.3 and 6.4.4)
Figure 1: AlphaE –Functional and control elements
Mini USB
Data download, configuration and charging
Mode button
Navigate through display modes
ON/OFF button
Power switch and display backlight
Air entrance window
Entry for measuring gas
Beeper
Output of acoustical alarm
LCD
Display of values and configuration

AlphaE –User Manual 07/2016 9
6.3.3 Mode Button
For navigating through the menu items indicated on the display, for re-
trieving recent measurement results, status information and for perform-
ing following settings (see display states on Table 1 and chapter 6.4.2):
Quitting acoustic alarm
Enable/disable acoustic alarm
Note: During the first 5 seconds after switching on the device
the measurement operation is initialized and a series of
self-tests are performed. During this time the Mode but-
ton is disabled until the countdown for starting the meas-
urement is indicated by displaying “WAIT …. 00x”.
6.3.4 LC Display
The display consists of a 6-digit 7-segment block for displaying the
measurement results as well as 5-digit sector for alphanumeric dis-
play. Following menu items can be called up by repeatedly pressing
the Mode button in the order as shown on Table 1 (see also 6.4.2):
Menu Item
Display / description
RADON
Standard mode, display of radon floating mean value
and related statistical error in %
AQUIT
Quitting alarm
INFO
Display sequence of
(1) set measurement cycle in sec
(2) alarm status (on/off) and alarm level 1 in kBq/m³
(pCi/l)
*)
24H
Display of mean value during previous calendar day
(if no data available, "----.--" is displayed)
RMEAN
Display of Radon mean value since switched on
DOSE
Display of dose in mSv (rem)
*)
BAT
Display of battery voltage and remaining capacity in %
TEMP
Display of air temperature
HUM
Display of air humidity
PRESS
Display of air pressur
DATE
Display of date/time
TEST
Self-test
AL ON
Enable acoustic alarm
AL OFF
Disable acoustic alarm
*) Relevant for US versions
Table 1: Menu of LC display

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6.3.5 Beeper
With enabled alarm function the beeper gives acoustical alert in case
one or both of the defined alarm thresholds (radon concentration or/and
dose) are exceeded. The acoustical signals for alarm level 1 and 2 are
different with regard to their beeping frequency:
Alarm level 1 : 2 beep/sec
Alarm level 2 : 5 beep/sec
Note: If alerting is required make sure that the alarm function is
enabled “AL ON”.
6.3.6 Air Entrance Window
The diffusion entry consists of 41 circularly arranged drilling holes (
2mm) and is equipped with a membrane of type GORE GAW112 for re-
taining the radon progenies. The total surface of the entry window
amounts to 1,3 cm³.
6.4 Operation of AlphaE
6.4.1 Starting the Measurement
By pressing the ON/OFF button for 1 sec. the device is switched on. Fol-
lowing states are passed through (see Figure 2):
1. Self-test of the display (1 sec)
2. Initialization of measurement: Display passes following states:
1. Firmware version and battery voltage for 5 sec
2. Alarm status (ON/OFF) and threshold of alarm level 1 (5 sec)
3. Count down waiting period (15 sec)
!

AlphaE –User Manual 07/2016 11
3. Measuring status: Display shows Radon concentration (floating
mean) with associated error in kBq/m³
6.4.2 Displaying Available Parameters and Changing Settings
The menu of the AlphaE is a closed loop. Pressing the Mode button re-
peatedly the menu items can be called up and displayed successively
(see Figure 3).
Note: The value of selected parameter is displayed for 5 sec.
Thereafter the display automatically switches back to the
default view (Radon concentration).
Pausing on a setting item for minimum 5 sec leads to
activating of respective setting. Thereafter the display au-
tomatically switches back to the default view (Radon con-
centration).
Parameters and settings can only be displayed/changed
as long as the keys are not disabled by the communica-
tion software (with disabled keyboard the display shows
“LOCK” along with the Radon concentration)
!
Figure 2: ON/OFF button –Sequence of functions

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RADON
After the initialization procedure is finished the display shows the
floating mean of the radon concentration in kBq/m³ (pCi/l) with
associated error in %. According to the internal evaluation intervall the
display is updated every 10 sec (not to be confused with the
measurement/ storage interval).
At the start of the measurement operation an error > 99% is assigned.
With increasing measurement time the error decreases gradually.
Thanks to the suitable floating mean algorithm which is applied always a
stable and reliable radon concentration is displayed whereby statistical
fluctuations are widely suppressed.
QUIT
Wait 5 sec leads to supressing (quitting) the accoustical alert which
might be set on the radon concentration (alarm level 1 and 2). The
alarm is reactivated whenever the radon concentration decreases and
then exceeds the alarm treshold again. This menu item can be disabled
by software.
Note: Alert due to exceeding the dose threshold cannot be quit-
ted by the keys; only by software.
INFO
Information on following settings is displayed for 5 sec each:
1. Preset measurement cycle in sec
2. Alarm status (ON/OFF) as well as alarm level 1
24H
The radon mean concentration in kBq/m³ (pCi/l) from the previous
calendar day is displayed provided that the device has not been
switched off/on or re-initialized in the mean while. As long as the cur-
rent measurement does not dispose of data from previous day at all,
"----.--" is displayed.
!
RADON
QUIT
INFO
24H

AlphaE –User Manual 07/2016 13
Figure 3: Display menu –Sequence of displayed menu items

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RMEAN
The radon mean concentration in kBq/m³ (pCi/l) since the instrument
has been swiched on or re-initialized by software is displayed as well as
the time (in h) which has elapsed since then.
DOSE
The accumulated dose in mSv (rem) is displayed. The dose calculation is
performed simultaneously during operation. Thereby following factors
are preset:
EF 0,4
1 Bq/m³ EEC 7,8 nSv (according ICRP 65, 1993)
(1 pCi/l EEC 0,021 µrem)
Both, the equilibrium factor (EF) for obtaining the Equilibrium-Equivalent
Concentration of radon (EEC) as well as the dose conversion coefficient
can be adjusted by the user using the communication software (see
chapter 7.2.3, page 19).
Re- or presetting of the dose as well as quitting or disabling of the dose
alarm also require using the communication software module (see
chapter 7.2.3 and 7.2.4, page 19 et sqq).
BAT
The battery state is displayed. Charge condition (in %) as well as the
battery voltage (in V) are indicated.
Moreover, with low battery conditions the battery symbol is permanently
displayed. Charging of battery is indicated by flashing battery symbol.
TEMP
The current air temperature (in °C) is displayed. This parameter is
recorded by an internal sensor and simultaneously evaluated and stored
as well.
HUM
The current air humidity (in %RH) is displayed. This parameter is
recorded by an internal sensor and simultaneously evaluated and stored
as well.
PRESS
The current air pressure (in MBAR) is displayed. This parameter is
recorded by an internal sensor and simultaneously evaluated and stored
as well.
DATE
The current time (formate: hh:mm) and date (formate: ddmmyy) are
displayed.
TEST
Only for manufacturer’s use.
AL ON
Waiting 5 sec leads to enabling the alarm function.
All alarm functions (alarm level 1, alarm level 2 and dose alarm) are set
active. This menu item can be disabled by software.
BAT
TEST
AL ON
RMEAN
DOSE
DATE
TEMP
HUM
PRESS

AlphaE –User Manual 07/2016 15
AL OFF
Waiting 5 sec leads to disabling the alarm function.
All alarm functions (alarm level 1, alarm level 2 and dose alarm) are set
inactive. This menu item can be disabled by software.
RADON
Leads to the default view of the display (closed menu loop).
6.4.3 Backlight of Display
For activating the display’s backlight the ON/OFF button has to be
pressed once. The display remains illuminated for 2 min (see Figure 2).
6.4.4 Switching the device off
The AlphaE is switched off by pressing the ON/OFF button three times
consecutively (see Figure 2).
Note: Switching the device off as well as re-initialization leads to:
1. Resetting the floating mean calculation
2. Reset of recording the mean value
3. Reset of the previous day mean value (if applicable).
RADON
!
AL OFF

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7 Communication Software Module
The Communication Software Module allows the user to read out and
display the status information of AlphaE , performing all settings which
might be changed by the user as well as downloading the stored meas-
urement values, display, print them out and even export the data to CSV
or XML format (*.upf2).
7.1 Installation of Communication Software Modules
Prior to setting up the communication between AlphaE and PC the
communication software which is delivered on a CD has to be installed
(i.e. copied) on a hard drive of the user’s PC. Please find the necessary
instructions in the document called “AlphaE software installation 2013-
07.pdf” which can also be found on the installation CD.
7.2 Working with the Communication Software
7.2.1 Establishing the Connection between AlphaE and PC
For setting up the communication following steps have to be performed:
1. Connect USB cable between PC and AlphaE
2. Start communication software by clicking on wCCM_MT.exe to
be found in subdirectory …\MiniTRACE\xApp_CCM) –the main
screen mask appears (see Figure 4)
3. Click the button "Select COM port" (see 1, Figure 4), select cor-
rect COM port and baud rate 9600bd (the correct COM port is
Figure 4: Main screen mask after starting the application
1
2
3

AlphaE –User Manual 07/2016 17
generally the highest figure, could be also checked in Windows
device manager)
7.2.2 Reading out the Status
After heaving pressed the button "Read status and settings from instru-
ment" (see 2, Figure 4) the screen mask displays the current status of
the AlphaE (sample data):
AlphaE v.0
AE000023
Serial number of read out AlphaE device
Read time (instrument)
07.08.2013 14:08:48
Precise date (DD.MM.YYYY) and time
(hh:mm:ss) the status was read out
Software version
A0030
Firmware version of AlphaE
Dose
26,75 [µSv / rem]
Accumulated dose value
Battery voltage
4.096,00 [mV]
Current battery state
Last saved measurement:
Measurement time
07.08.2013 14:07:56
Date and time last data set was stored
Measurement period
600 [sec]
Preset storing cycle of measurement data
Radon
214,00 [Bq/m³ / pCi/l]
Discrete radon concentration of last
saved measurement cycle
Radon floating mean
33,00 [Bq/m³ / pCi/l]
Floating mean radon concentration of last
saved measurement cycle
Radon floating mean error
22,25 [Bq/m³ / pCi/l]]
Error of the floating mean radon concen-
tration of last saved measurement cycle
QA AlphaE:
- Noise
1 (0=no interference)
Interfering signals detected (microphon-
ic/electromagnetic interference) of last
saved measurement cycle
- OVR
1 (0=no overrun)
Overrun of measurement range of last
saved measurement cycle
- DEAD
1 (0=detector OK)
Detector failure detected for last saved
measurement cycle

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- LoBat
1 (0=OK)
Critical charge state of battery for last
saved measurement cycle
- Alarm Radon
1 (0=not triggered)
Radon alarm triggered for last saved
measurement cycle
- Alarm Dose
1 (0= not triggered)
Dose alarm triggered for last saved
measurement cycle
- Switch On
1 (0=no restart)
Device has been switched on or reinitial-
ized at the start of last measurement
cycle
- Relocation
1 (0=no tampering)
Acceleration identified for last saved
measurement cycle (tampering)
Temperature
26,5 [° C]
Air temperature record of last saved
measurement cycle
Humidity
41 [rel.-%]
Air humidity record of last saved meas-
urement cycle
Pressure
1014,14 [mbar]
Air pressure record of last saved meas-
urement cycle
Dose ambient
26,69 [µSv]
Accumulated dose value until last saved
measurement cycle
Equilibrium factor
0,4
Preset Equilibrium factor value
Table 2: Status of AlphaE (contents of screen mask)