Sper scientific 840024 User manual

Digital Radiation
Meter
840024
Instruction Manual

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Digital Radiation Meter 840024
Copyright ©2011 by Sper Scientific
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Printed in the USA
7720 E. Redfield Rd. Suite #7,
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone]
Web: www.sperscientific.com
The contents of this manual may not be
reproduced or transmitted in any form or
by any means electronic, mechanical, or
other means that do not yet exist or may
be developed, including photocopying,
recording, or any information storage
and retrieval system without the express
permission from Sper Scientific.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
CAUTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
KEYPAD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
OPERATING PROCEDURES . . . . . . . . .
METER SETUP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ESTABLISHING BACKGROUND
LEVELS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
AREA MONITORING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
CHECK SURFACE CONTAMINATION . .
CHECK AN OBJECT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MAINTENANCE AND CALIBRATION . . .
RADIATION AND RADIOACTIVITY . . . . .
SPECIFICATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
WARRANTY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
NOTICE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4
5
6
7
8
10
11
12
14
15
17
21
23
24

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This manual provides the necessary
information for proper use and care of
Sper Scientific Model 840024 Radiation
Meter. We recommend reading this
manual completely prior to using the
instrument. It also contains valuable
information about the nature of ionizing
radiation that should be understood by
the user so that accurate measurements
can be made.
This Radiation Meter features selectable
measurement scales, adjustable audible
alarm and auto power off. It uses a thin
wall glass Geiger-Mueller (GM) tube that
will detect Beta and Gamma ionizing
radiation and X-rays. The GM tube
generates an electrical pulse each time
radiation passes through the tube.
These pulses are then electronically
detected and displayed in either SI units
(micro-sieverts per hour) or conventional
units (milliroentgens per hour).
INTRODUCTION

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Although housed in a high-impact
case, the Geiger-Mueller tube that
senses radiation is fragile and may
break If the unit is dropped, exposed
to high temperature (above 122°F/50°
C) and/or high humidity (over 90%
RH).
x Do not allow surface of housing to
come in direct contact with
radioactive contamination
x Do not leave meter in
temperatures above 122°F (50°C)
x Do not expose to wet or high
humidity conditions
x Do not place meter in a microwave
oven
x Do not remove back cover
x Replace battery when is
displayed
CAUTION

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KEYPAD
1. 3.5 Digit LCD display
2. setup function button
3. (T2) and setup function down button
4. Power ON / OFF button
5. (T1) and setup function up button

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1. Press the button. The meter
performs a system check and
displays all indicators for
approximately two seconds together
with a Beep signal. When in use,
the instrument will emit a “chirping”
sound that increases in rate
according to the radiation intensity.
2. When powered on, the
measurement scale will default to
Micro-Sieverts per hour (T1).
Press the button to change
the measurement scale to
milliroentgens per hour (T2).
3. Hold the meter as shown on page
12 for detecting Beta radiation. Hold
the meter as shown on page 13 for
detecting gamma and x-ray
radiation.
OPERATING
PROCEDURES

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1. To change the factory set alarm
level of 0.5 μSv/h press and release
the button. “ALA” appears in
the display followed by the alarm
set point. Press the Ÿor źarrows
to change the alarm point anywhere
in the range of 0 ~ 199.9 μSv/hr. It
is only necessary to set the alarm in
the range. The meter will
automatically select the
corresponding value for the
range. Once selection is made
press and release the button.
2. To change the 30 minute Auto
Power Off default press and release
the button until “APO”
appears in the display followed by
the current value in minutes. Press
the Ÿor źarrows to change the
Auto Off setting to anytime from 0 ~
60 minutes (selecting 0 will defeat
METER SETUP

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1. the Auto Off function). Once
selection is made press and release
the button.
3. To cancel or restore audible
chirping press and release the
button. The current setting will be
displayed (either “ON” or “OFF”).
Press the Ÿor źarrows to change
the setting. Selecting “OFF”
silences audible chirping. Once
selection is made press and release
the button to return to the
measurement screen.
METER SETUP

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There is always naturally occurring
radiation around us, which is categorized
as background radiation. The radiation
levels vary at different locations and at
different altitudes. To attain the highest
degree of accuracy from this instrument a
background reading should be established
for each location being monitored. This
can be accomplished by taking an
unshielded reading or by shielding the
meter with a 0.5” thick lead barrier on all
sides. The following procedure can be
used to obtain a background level:
1. Press the button
2. Select measurement scale: or
3. Take a 5 minute reading
4. Maintain this reading for future
reference
5. Repeat this procedure each time meter
is moved to a different location
ESTABLISHING
BACKGROUND LEVEL