Thermo Scientific EPD Mk2 User manual

Guide on how to operate the electronic personal dosimeter EPD®Mk2
Measuring range
The dosimeter was approved by the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt for a dosis range
Hp(10) of 10 µSv to 10 Sv at a dose rate of 50 nSv/h to 1 Sv/h in the energy range of 16 keV
to 7 MeV and an angular range of <± 60°.
Note: In the direct beam of pulsed radiation fields (X-ray, accelerator), the dose rate in the
pulse can be much higher than 1 Sv/h. In this case, the dosimeter is not suitable for use
because a significant dose underestimation may result. In the scattered beam and when worn
under a lead apron, the dose rate values are generally within the permissible measurement
range of the dosimeter. Please check your system for the possibility of using the dosimeter.
The EPD is equipped with the following operating elements:
Operating elements
LED
LCD display screen, i.e. function control panel
Clip assembly
Battery compartment
Operating button
Sounder
Beta window
FO50KOM27A/ Guide for use 1 As of January 2014

LED and sounder for warning and fault signaling.
An LCD display screen with function control panel to indicate the dose values and settings.
A clip assembly to fasten the EPD.
A battery compartment to replace the battery.
An operating button to adjust the settings on the unit.
A beta window to measure the personal surface dose Hp(07).
EPD should be worn as shown below:
Wearing the EPD
EPD on the breast pocket
EPD at the waist belt
Using the clip, the EPD can be fastened onto the waist belt or the chest pocket.
The EPD should be worn according to the instructions of the Radiation Safety Officer.
If the EPD is used for the weekly measurement of the personal dose of pregnant women, it
should be worn in the abdominal area.
Please note: the operating button must face out from the front of the body.
FO50KOM27A/ Guide for use 2 As of January 2014

Single button operation:
Functions / Display screen of the EDP
The functions of the unit can be changed and selected by pressing the operating button in
different ways.
Press and hold the operating button:
The unit cycles through the available functions (approx. once per second while the LCD display
screen is changing)
•Hp(10) dose: default setting (blue rimmed)
•Hp(07) dose: (disabled)
•ON: status of the EPD (on/off)
•Btn: status button-signal (on/off)
Press the operating button twice shortly ("double click"):
The current function that is indicated on the display screen is activated. Activation is only
possible with the functions ON and btn. For switching off the unit, another double click is
required.
FO50KOM27A/ Guide for use 3 As of January 2014

Switching function of the EDP
Switching the EPD on: (long press operating button 1 time)
The EPD is switched off before starting-up, the LCD display screen is therefore set to OFF.
To switch the unit on, the operating button must be pressed for two seconds, after which the
display screen will reset to the Hp(10) condition. The EPD is now ready to perform
measurements.
After the first operational use, the displayed value must be 0 μSv, as the predose values are
cleared prior to shipping. Please note that during continuous operation, the EPD measures the
natural environmental dose simultaneously. The natural environmental dose is dependent on
the location and is about 1 μSv per 12 hours measurement time.
Now, if you continue to hold the operating button pressed, the unit switches every second
between the available functions (see above). The display screen indicating the current status
of the EPD has shifted to ON.
Switching the EPD off: (hold operating button until "ON" is displayed, short press 4
times)
To switch the unit off, the operating button must be kept pressed until ON appears on the
display screen. Then, the button must be pressed twice briefly in order to activate the function
(now, the display screen begins to flash and is set to OFF); press again twice to confirm the
function (the display stops flashing while OFF is still being displayed). The unit is now
disconnected and stops recording exposure.
Please note: The EPD must be switched off after every operational use because otherwise it
continues to measure and record the accumulated dose values.
Switching the acknowledgment signal off: (hold operating button until „btn“ is
displayed, short press twice)
To switch the acknowledgment signal on and off while actuating the operating button, the
operating button must be pressed and held until the symbol "btn" appears on the display
screen. Then, the button must be pressed twice briefly to activate / deactivate the function.
Display of the personal dose
Hp(10): (preset)
The indication of the personal dose equivalent Hp(10) is the default setting of the EPD and will
appear on the display screen automatically after switching the unit on. The dose is being
continuously summed while the unit is in operational use. The dose value cannot be reset.
Even after switching off the unit or changing the battery, the stored dose cannot be deleted.
If a different setting is selected by holding the operating button, the display screen will revert
back to the default setting automatically after 10 seconds.
FO50KOM27A/ Guide for use 4 As of January 2014

Note on the dose display:
The natural background radiation in Germany varies between 0.5 mSv and 2 mSv per year.
Thus, doses between 1 and 2 µSv per working day correspond to the background due to
natural environmental radiation.
Audible warnings:
The EPD delivers an audible warning (beep) on two occasions:
•as an acknowledgment signal when the operating button is pressed
•as a warning signal
Confirm warning signals: (hold for 2 seconds)
The EPD responds to certain events by delivering different warning signals, which can be
confirmed and muted with a long keystroke. During the warning, the reason for the warning
signals is indicated in the display screen and the LED signal (on the right side of the display
screen) is active. Both display screen and LED are blinking every second.
Standard configuration (surveillance of pregnant women):
Warning type
Display screen
Significance
Dose
10 (HP10-Alarm)
The total dose has exceeded
0,5 mSv (alarm1)
or 1 mSv (alarm2)
Dose rate
10 / h
The dose rate has risen above
mSv/h
The warning stops when the
dose rate falls below 0,9
mSv/h
Error
Fxxx
An error has occurred in the
unit
"Xxx" stands for the error
code
Misuse
Everything is blinking
Occurs when mechanical
vibrations are being
continuously recorded for 15
seconds
FO50KOM27A/ Guide for use 5 As of January 2014

Changing the battery
Battery warning
When the battery symbol appears on the display screen, the battery must be replaced.
Opening the battery cap
The battery cap is located on the side of the unit and has a slot that helps open the cap with a
coin (best suited for this purpose is a 10 cent coin, for example). A screwdriver may not be
used for this purpose because the battery cap may be damaged.
By using the coin, turn the battery cap 90 degrees to the left (do not overwind!). To avoid the
risk of damage to the unit, do not use screwdrivers! The battery cap can now be removed by
gently pulling. Important: insert the anode side (+) first!
FO50KOM27A/ Guide for use 6 As of January 2014

Inserting the battery
After removing the old battery, the anode side (+ charge) of the new one must be first
inserted into the battery compartment of the unit.
Replacement batteries can be ordered through our customer service department. Temporarily,
the use of a standard 1.5V battery AA/LR6 is also possible.
After inserting the new battery, the battery cap is now gently pressed against the opening until
the latches on the cap have snapped into place, and then reverted back into the original
position by using the coin.
At that point, the EPD carries out a 10 second self-test (beeping and flashing of the display
screen and the LED).
Returning the batteries
Please also return the exchanged batteries to the monitoring service. We will arrange for
proper and environmentally friendly disposal. This service is free of charge.
FO50KOM27A/ Guide for use 7 As of January 2014