VF PAM-100A User manual

VF1706050120 EN 2015revision H
VF1706050120 EN
revision H
version 10
2017
VF,a.s.
Svitavská 588
CZ 679 21 Černá Hora
tel. [phone]
fax [phone]
[email protected]
www.vfnuclear.com
Instructions for Use
PORTABLE ACTIVITY METERS
PAM-100A, PAM-100B, PAM-100C, PAM-100D, PAM-100E
PAM-170A, PAM-170B, PAM-170C, PAM-170D, PAM-170E
Types: K0950, K0951, K0952, K0953, K0954,
K1230, K1231, K1232, K1233, K1234

VF1706050120 EN 2015revision H 2

Table of Contens
VF1706050120 EN revision H 3
Table of Contens
Instructions for Use .............................................................................................. 1
Table of Contens ................................................................................................... 3
List of Figures ....................................................................................................... 6
List of Tables......................................................................................................... 7
Foreword............................................................................................................... 8
1.Introduction....................................................................................................... 9
1.1. Abbreviations 9
1.2. Terms and definitions 10
1.3. Acts, regulations and standards 12
2.Occupational safety, fire protection and environmental impacts................... 13
2.1. Occupational safety 13
2.1.1 Safety signs used in VF, a.s. and their meanings................................................................. 13
2.1.2 Obligations of the operator ................................................................................................ 13
2.1.3 Qualification requirements of the staff................................................................................ 13
2.1.4 Conditions for the safe operation of electrical equipment ..................................................... 13
2.2. Fire protection 14
2.3. Environmental impact statement 14
2.4. Instrument disposal 14
3.Technical specification .................................................................................... 15
3.1. PAM-100 series: PAM-100A, PAM-100B, PAM-100C, PAM-100D, PAM-100E 16
3.2. PAM-170 series: PAM-170A, PAM-170B, PAM-170-C, PAM-170D, PAM-170C, PAM-170E 18
4.General description.......................................................................................... 20
4.1. Purpose 20
4.2. Overview of PAM series meters 20
4.3. Basic principle of operation 21
4.4. Constructional arrangement 22
4.5. Operating the instrument 25
5.Before putting the instrument into operation................................................. 26
5.1. Transportation 26
5.2. Initial preparation 26
5.3. Power supply 26

Table of Contens
VF1706050120 EN revision H 4
5.4. Storage 26
5.5. Operation verification 27
5.6. Initial instrument settings 27
6.Instructions for use ......................................................................................... 28
6.1. General 28
6.2. Control elements 28
6.2.1 Turning ON / OFF ............................................................................................................. 29
6.2.2 Back illumination............................................................................................................... 29
6.3. Working screen 30
6.3.1 Preset text........................................................................................................................ 30
6.3.2 Kind of radiation ............................................................................................................... 30
6.3.3 Displayed value of the measured quantity........................................................................... 30
6.3.4 Bar graph ......................................................................................................................... 31
6.3.5 Battery ............................................................................................................................. 31
6.4. Preset selection 32
6.5. Background compensation 32
6.5.1 Background measurement and display ............................................................................... 32
6.6. Acoustic signalization 35
6.7. Contamination measurement 35
6.7.1 Alarm level exceeding........................................................................................................ 36
6.7.2 Exceeding of measurement range ...................................................................................... 36
6.8. Failure indication 37
6.9. Turning OFF 37
7.Instrument settings......................................................................................... 38
7.1. Instrument presets 38
7.2. Setting the measurement parameters by means of the VF-Setup service software 39
Setting the communication with the VF-Setup service software: 39
8.Maintenance and care of the instrument ........................................................ 40
8.1. Daily maintenance 40
8.2. Annual maintenance 40
8.3. Metrological traceability 40
8.4. Photomultiplier life (PMT) 42
9.Troubleshooting............................................................................................... 43
9.1. Decontamination of the detector 43
10.Delivery parts................................................................................................. 44

Table of Contens
VF1706050120 EN revision H 5
10.1. Standard delivery parts 44
10.2. Accessories, additional equipment and related products delivered separately 44
10.3. Consumable material 44
11.Warranty conditions ...................................................................................... 45
12.Annexes ......................................................................................................... 47
Annex A. Presets´default settings ............................................................................................ 47
Notes................................................................................................................... 49

List of Figures
VF1706050120 EN revision H 6
List of Figures
Fig. 1 Portable PAM series meters .......................................................................................... 20
Fig. 2 View of the detector and its protective cover ................................................................. 22
Fig. 3 View of the instrument with the protective detector cover in place................................... 23
Fig. 4 PAM-100 Portable Activity Meter ................................................................................... 23
Fig. 5 Installation of the battery in the instrument................................................................... 24
Fig. 6 Basic dimensions of the PAM-100 series ........................................................................ 24
Fig. 7 Basic dimensions of the PAM-170 series ........................................................................ 25
Fig. 8 Control of PAM instrument ........................................................................................... 25
Fig. 9 Control overview ......................................................................................................... 28
Fig. 10 Example of the display of instrument initialization......................................................... 29
Fig. 11 Description of elements on the screen (example) ......................................................... 30
Fig. 12 Symbols of detected radiation..................................................................................... 30
Fig. 13 Battery status examples (from the left: discharged, partly discharged, and fully charged) 31
Fig. 14 Example of display when working with the background reading function ........................ 32
Fig. 15 Acoustic signal mute symbol....................................................................................... 35
Fig. 16 Alarm level exceeded symbols on the display ............................................................... 36
Fig. 17 Exceeding of measurement range ............................................................................... 36
Fig. 18 Failure display ........................................................................................................... 37
Fig. 19 VF-Setup: Setting the communication.......................................................................... 39
Fig. 20 Photomultiplier .......................................................................................................... 42
Fig. 21 Typical dependence of the anode current of the photomultiplier over time...................... 42
Fig. 22 Protective case; Strap ................................................................................................ 44

List of Tables
VF1706050120 EN revision H 7
List of Tables
Tab. 1. EU guidelines and Government Orders ........................................................................ 12
Tab. 2 Technical standards.................................................................................................... 12
Tab. 3 Detectors specification................................................................................................ 16
Tab. 4 Radiometric parameters of detector series PAM-100...................................................... 17
Tab. 5 Detectors specification................................................................................................ 18
Tab. 6 Radiometric parameters of detector series PAM-170...................................................... 19
Tab. 7 Suitability of PAM meters for different kinds of radiation ................................................ 21
Tab. 8 Supported prefixes ..................................................................................................... 31
Tab. 9 Supported units.......................................................................................................... 31
Tab. 10 Overview of the most frequent failures....................................................................... 43
Tab. 11 List of standard delivery parts.................................................................................... 44
Tab. 12 List of accessories, additional equipment and associated products ................................ 44
Tab. 13 Consumable material ................................................................................................ 44
Tab. 14 Default settings PAM-100A, PAM-170A ....................................................................... 47
Tab. 15 Default settings PAM-100B, PAM-100D, PAM-170B, PAM-170D ..................................... 47
Tab. 16 Default settings PAM-100C, PAM-100E, PAM-170C, PAM-170E...................................... 48
Tab. 17 Former identification of PAM-100 instruments ............................................................. 48

Foreword
VF1706050120 EN revision H 8
Foreword
Read the Instructions for Use carefully before using the PAM Portable Activity Meter and follow its suggestions.
The information contained in these Instructions for Use is the exclusive property of VF, a.s., and may not be
modified, copied or disclosed to third parties without the company's knowledge.
Failure to follow the instructions and safety information contained herein may be considered a breach of
warranty conditions and may lead to the termination of the warranty period.
The manufacturer reserves the right to perform technical, visual and functional changes to the design of the
instrument without prior notice as part of its programme of continuous development and improvement of its
products.
The Instructions for Use form an integral part of the instrument.
The radiometric parameters are described in detail in a separate document.

Introduction
VF1706050120 EN 2015revision H 9
1. Introduction
The PAM-100 series meters are portable hand-held instruments intended for the measurement of surface
contamination by alpha, beta and gamma emitting radionuclides.
It is a compact and ergonomically designed user-friendly meter.
1.1. Abbreviations
A
Activity
As
Surface activity
CRM
Certified reference material
DLM
Detection limit
DTR
Decision threshold
k1-
Coefficient of the error of the first kind (instrument reports a false positive alarm)
k1-β
Coefficient of the error of the second kind (instrument reports falsely negative
signalling)
N
Number of pulses
n
Count rate
NPP
Nuclear power plant
PAM
Portable Activity Meter
PC
Personal computer
PCB
Printed circuit board
PLC
Programmable Logic Controller
PMT
Photomultiplier
q2π
Surface emission
R
Response of instrument
RF
Response factor
RS-232, RS-485
Serial Interface
SU, UL
Alarm level
SW
Software
USB
Universal Serial Bus
ZnS(Ag)
Zinc sulphide activated with silver (scintillation material for detecting alpha radiation)
δ
Relative basic error
Φ2π
Instrument efficiency

Introduction
VF1706050120 EN revision H 10
1.2. Terms and definitions
Activity
A quotient of the mean number of spontaneous nuclear transitions from an energy
state in an amount of radionuclide in a time interval. The unit is [Bq].
Alarm level
Value (threshold) that is preset inside the instrument. If this value is exceeded,
the alarm will be activated. Both the acoustic and visual alarms can be activated.
The units are usually [cps, Bq, (Bq∙cm-2), Gy/h, Sv/h].
Background
Radiation field in which the instrument should operate, and which involves both
the natural background and the radiation caused by other sources that can be
present in the vicinity of the instrument. The following units, depending on the
instrument type, are usually used [cps, Bq, (Bq∙cm-2), Gy/h, Sv/h].
Certified Reference
Material (CRM)
Material provided with a certificate whose one or more properties are sufficiently
homogeneous and determined at a sufficient level for calibrating an appropriate
instrument. These properties are certified by a procedure that determines
traceability on the precise implementation of the unit in which the value of
properties are described, and each certificated value is accompanied by an
uncertainty at a given confidence level.
Coefficient of the error
of the first kind (Type
I error)
Determines the probability that the true activity of the sample measured is zero,
and the instrument indicates contamination.
Coefficient of the error
of the second kind
(Type II error)
Determines the probability that the true activity of the sample measured is greater
than zero, and the instrument indicates no contamination (clean).
Contamination meter
Instrument intended for the measurement and evaluation of surface
contamination that contains visual indication and acoustic signalization of count
rate. The acoustic signalization can be switched off.
Contamination monitor
Instrument intended for the measurement and evaluation of surface
contamination and additionally to the visual indication and acoustic signalization
of count rate, the instrument is provided with acoustic signalization of exceeding
the preset contamination level (threshold).
Count per second;
Count rate
Number of counts per time unit. The units are usually [cps, cpm].
Decision threshold
Critical value of the statistical test for making a decision if the measured count
rate of a potentially contaminated person is at the background level, or the
measured count rate is higher than the background. The unit is [cps].
Detection limit
The mean count rate for which the probability that the net count rate measured
is lower than the decision level is just equal to beta. The beta parameter means
the coefficient of a type II error. The unit is [cps].
Direct measurement of
surface contamination
Surface activity measurement by means of a contamination meter/monitor.
Effective measurement
range
Range of the quantity measured in which operating values of the meter or the
monitor meet the requirements of valid standards for the given type of instrument,
see Chapter 1.3.
Efficiency
Ratio of the corrected count rate of the measuring instrument to the surface
emission. The unit is usually [%].

Introduction
VF1706050120 EN revision H 11
Indirect evaluation of
surface contamination
Assessment of removable contamination by means of wipe (smear, swab) test
samples.
Instrument response
Ratio of the corrected count rate of the measuring instrument to the measured
quantity (activity, surface activity, dose rate, etc.). The unit of response to activity
is usually [cps/Bq], to surface activity [cps/(Bq∙cm-2)] and to dose rate
[cps/(Sv/h)],[cps/(Gy/h)].
Photomultiplier (PMT)
The electric component that is able to detect very low intensity light signals. When
a photon impacts on the sensitive photocathode, electrons are emitted due to the
photoelectric effect, which are gradually magnified by electric voltage among the
individual electrodes (i.e. dynodes). The accelerated electrons that impact on the
dynodes emit a high number of electrons (the secondary emission), which results
in the magnified electron flux that impacts on the anode. PMTs are mainly used
in scintillation detectors.
Pulse count
The total number of counts per preset time interval.
Reference background
Background that simulates the ambient background for which the instrument is
specified. The decision threshold and the detection limit are usually determined
for a typical value of the reference background of 100 nGy/h, unless stated
differently.
Relative intrinsic error
Relative error of an instrument that is related to the given quantity when exposed
to the specific reference radiation under the specified reference conditions. It is
expressed in [%].
Response factor
Reciprocal value of the instrument response. The units are usually [Bq/cps],
[(Bq∙cm-2)/cps].
Sensitive area of the
detector
Detector area, which is defined by the producer, with a response to small area
source (CRM) higher than 50 per cent of the maximum response. The unit is
usually [cm2].
Surface activity
Quotient of the activity of the radionuclide present on the surface and area for
this surface. The unit is usually [Bq∙cm-2].
Surface contamination
Radioactive surface contamination.
Surface emission
The number of particles of a certain type emitted from the source surface or its
active part per time unit. The unit is [1/s].
Zinc sulphide ZnS(Ag)
ZnS(Ag) is the inorganic salt of hydrosulphuric acid and zinc hydroxide activated
by silver (Ag). It is a white and crystalline substance which is not soluble in water,
similarly as the majority of sulphides. A charged alpha particle imparts its energy
to the scintillation centres that contain the atoms of silver. This leads to ZnS
luminescence and photon emission with a maximum wavelength of 450 nm.

Introduction
VF1706050120 EN revision H 12
1.3. Acts, regulations and standards
The acts, regulations and standards provided herein are valid in the European Union. The instrument meets
and follows the directives and government regulations referred to in Tab. 1 as well as the harmonized technical
standards referred to in Tab. 2.
Identification/year of publication
Name
Directive 2014/35/EU
on the safety of low-voltage electrical equipment
Directive 2014/30/EU
on electromagnetic compatibility
Tab. 1. EU guidelines and Government Orders
Identification
Name
EN 60325
Radiation protection instrumentation. Alpha, beta and alpha/beta
(beta energy > 60 keV) contamination meters and monitors
ISO 8769
Reference sources - Calibration of surface contamination monitors -
Alpha-, beta- and photon emitters
ISO 31-10
Quantities and units - Part 10: Nuclear reactions and ionizing
radiations
ISO 11929-1
Determination of the detection limit and decision threshold for ionizing
radiation measurements
IEC 980
Recommended practices for seismic qualification of electrical
equipment of the safety system for nuclear generating stations
EN 60068-2-6
Environmental testing: Tests - Test Ea and guidance - Vibration
(sinusoidal)
EN 60068-2-27
Environmental testing: Tests - Test Ea and guidance - Shock
EN 61326-1
Electrical equipment for measurement, control and laboratory use.
EMC requirements. General requirements
Tab. 2 Technical standards

Occupational safety, fire protection and environmental impacts
VF1706050120 EN revision H 13
2. Occupational safety, fire protection and environmental
impacts
2.1. Occupational safety
A summary of measures laid down by legislation and recommended by the producer that should prevent risk
or detriment to human health in work.
2.1.1 Safety signs used in VF, a.s. and their meanings
Attention, electrical equipment.
The appliance is supplied by AC voltage
mains
Information, recommendations
and comments of the manufacturer.
Do not extinguish with either water or
foam extinguishers!
Do not dispose of with regular
waste.
Warning and safety precautions.
Product compliance with EU
legislation.
2.1.2 Obligations of the operator
The operator is obliged to ensure observation of general safety regulations when working with the
instrument.
Before the instrument is put into service, the operator is obliged to define the competences of
persons for the operation, service, cleaning, regular maintenance, setting and adjustment to
provide for and maintain the proper functioning of the instrument and the safety of persons and
property.
2.1.3 Qualification requirements of the staff
The instrument may only be set up and adjusted by persons demonstrably trained by their
parent organization in the respective work and familiar with the Instructions for Use, which
shall be kept in an accessible place.
2.1.4 Conditions for the safe operation of electrical equipment
Keep the safety labels, symbols and notices legible on the equipment.
Installation, operation and maintenance may only be provided by persons qualified for such
activities, in compliance with the valid legislation of the country of operation of the instrument.
All activities related to the electrical equipment must be performed in compliance with the
Instructions for Use.

Occupational safety, fire protection and environmental impacts
VF1706050120 EN revision H 14
If you detect a failure or damage that you consider a threat to health and safety at work, do not
use the instrument and report the failure to the operator immediately.
Any interventions in the design of the device ARE NOT ALLOWED.
Maintenance, cleaning and repair of the device can only be carried out with the power supply
disconnected and technological equipment switched off.
2.2. Fire protection
ATTENTION, electrical device, do not extinguish with water or foam extinguishers.
The instrument and its operation do not increase fire risk.
2.3. Environmental impact statement
The instrument as such and its operation do not cause any environmental load.
2.4. Instrument disposal
When disposing of the instrument after the expiration of its life, you must follow applicable local
legislation1.
VF, a.s. is involved in the RETELA collective take-back system for the manufacturers of
electrical instruments. For more information on the RETELA system, please visit
http://www.retela.cz/ as well as http://www.weee-forum.org/.
1
In the Czech Republic, proceed in accordance with Act No. 185/2001 Coll., on Waste, as amended, and the related decrees of the
Ministry of the Environment.
The Instructions for Use must always be available for all persons performing activities
associated with the installation, operation and maintenance of the electrical equipment.

Technical specification
VF1706050120 EN revision H 15
3. Technical specification
Portable Activity Meter
PAM-100A
PAM-100B
PAM-100C
PAM-100D
PAM-100E
Type
K0950
K0951
K0952
K0953
K0954
Portable Activity Meter
PAM-170A
PAM-170B
PAM-170C
PAM-170D
PAM-170E
Type
K1230
K1231
K1232
K1233
K1234
Only figures with tolerances or limits are guaranteed data; any other values are only informative.
Detector parameters are described in detail in a separate document K0950-02-BT01, PAM Radiometric
Parameters, which forms an integral part of the Instructions for Use.
Basic data
Dimensions (W x H x D)
- PAM-100:
- PAM-170:
(120 x 109 x 223) mm (4¾ x 4¼ x 8¾ in)
(130 x 129 x 226) mm (5⅛ x 5⅛ x 9 in)
Weight
- PAM-100:
- PAM-170:
< 1.2 kg (2.65 lb) including batteries
1.4 kg (3.1 lb) including batteries
Power supply
2 x alkaline battery 1.5 V size C (ANSI marking "14", IEC marking "R14"),
2 x NiMH battery 1.2 V size C
Operational time
Typically 120 h with alkaline batteries, without back illumination of display
Electric protection
IP 20
Number of detectors
1
Communication with PC
Service USB port (connector Mini B)
Result indications
Display
LCD FSTN, graphic, with back illumination
displayed area (128 x 64) pixels, (61 x 33) mm
Visual signalization unit
Display indication
Acoustic signalization unit
Piezo siren
Environmental conditions
Range of working temperatures
(-20 ÷ +40) °C (-4 ÷ +104 °F)
Working relative humidity
max. 90 %, non-condensing
Working pressure
(86 ÷ 106) kPa

Technical specification
VF1706050120 EN revision H 16
Storage conditions
Range of storage temperatures
(-25 ÷ +50) °C (-13 ÷ +122 °F)
Storage relative humidity
max. 90 %, non-condensing
Other storage conditions
Store PAM meters with the batteries removed. When storing batteries,
follow the manufacturer's storage instructions.
Note on symbols used in the tables below:
×the physical nature of the detector does not allow determination of the parameter
- the parameter has not been determined yet
3.1. PAM-100 series: PAM-100A, PAM-100B, PAM-100C, PAM-100D, PAM-
100E
Detected radiation
PAM-100A: Alpha in one channel
PAM-100B: Alpha + Beta in one channel
PAM-100C: Alpha / Beta in two channels
PAM-100D: Alpha + Beta + Gamma in one channel
PAM-100E: Alpha / Beta + Gamma in two channels
Scintillators
PAM-100A: ZnS(Ag) on acrylic glass, 1.5 mm thickness.
Surface density of scintillator (3.25 ± 0.25) mg∙cm-2
PAM-100B: plastic scintillator of 0.25 mm thickness
PAM-100C: ZnS(Ag) on plastic scintillator of 0.25 mm thickness.
Surface density of scintillator ZnS(Ag) (3.25 ± 0.25) mg∙cm-2
PAM-100D: plastic scintillator of 5 mm thickness
PAM-100E: ZnS(Ag) on plastic scintillator of 5 mm thickness.
Surface density of scintillator ZnS(Ag) (3.25 ± 0.25) mg∙cm-2
Photomultiplier
Diameter 25 mm with hemispheric window
High voltage source
(400 ÷ 1000) V with sensitive current limitation
Sensitive area of the detector
(100 x 100) mm = 100 cm2(15.5 in2)
Window
Aluminized light-tight foil (3 x 0.29) mg∙cm-2
Protective grid
Hexagonal grid, permeability 77.5 %
Dead time
Automatically compensated,
PAM-100A typically 3.8 μs
PAM-100B, C, D, E typically 4.5 μs
Tab. 3 Detectors specification

Technical specification
VF1706050120 EN revision H 17
Parameter
Instrument
Measurement range
Response to background
Measurement ranges
Response to background
indicated for 100 nGy/h
PAM-100A
4 cps to 150 kcps
< 0.04 cps, typically 0.02 cps
PAM-100B
6 cps to 150 kcps
< 10 cps, typically 5 cps
PAM-100C (alpha)
4 cps to 150 kcps
< 0.04 cps, typically 0.02 cps
PAM-100C (beta)
6 cps to 150 kcps
< 10 cps, typically 5 cps
PAM-100D
15 cps to 150 kcps
< 50 cps, typically 25 cps
PAM-100E (alpha)
4 cps to 150 kcps
< 0.04 cps, typically 0.02 cps
PAM-100E (beta + gamma)
15 cps to 150 kcps
< 50 cps, typically 25 cps
Displayed quantities
Pulse rate [cps], activity [Bq], surface activity [Bq∙cm-2]
Relative intrinsic error
±25 %
Reference radionuclide
241Am (alpha), 36Cl (beta)
Time constant
Variable (2 ÷ 30) s
Homogeneity
The minimum response must be greater than half the maximum response measured
across the entire sensitive area of the detector, i.e. the deviation must be less than 50 %,
typically 25 %.
Crosstalk from alpha channel
to beta (beta+ gamma)
channel, for types PAM-
100C, PAM-100E
< 30 %, typically 4 %
Overload
Indication of overload when the measurement range is exceeded up to 100x the upper
limit (“MAX” indicated on display).
Tab. 4 Radiometric parameters of detector series PAM-100

Technical specification
VF1706050120 EN revision H 18
3.2. PAM-170 series: PAM-170A, PAM-170B, PAM-170-C, PAM-170D, PAM-
170C, PAM-170E
Detected radiation
PAM-170A: Alpha in one channel
PAM-170B: Alpha + Beta in one channel
PAM-170C: Alpha / Beta in two channels
PAM-170D: Alpha + Beta + Gamma in one channel
PAM-170E: Alpha / Beta + Gamma in two channels
Scintillators
PAM-170A: ZnS(Ag) on acrylic glass, 1.5 mm thickness.
Surface density of scintillator (3.25 ± 0.25) mg∙cm-2
PAM-170B: plastic scintillator of 0.25 mm thickness
PAM-170C: ZnS(Ag) on plastic scintillator of 0.25 mm thickness.
Surface density of scintillator ZnS(Ag) (3.25 ± 0.25) mg∙cm-2
PAM-170D: plastic scintillator of 5 mm thickness
PAM-170E: ZnS(Ag) on plastic scintillator of 5 mm thickness.
Surface density of scintillator ZnS(Ag) (3.25 ± 0.25) mg∙cm-2
Photomultiplier
Diameter 25 mm with hemispheric window
High voltage source
(400 ÷ 1000) V with sensitive current limitation
Sensitive area of the detector
(100 x 170) mm = 170 cm2(26.35 in2)
Window
Aluminized light-tight foil (3 x 0.29) mg∙cm-2
Protective grid
Hexagonal grid, permeability 79 %
Dead time
Automatically compensated, typically 4.5 μs
Tab. 5 Detectors specification

Technical specification
VF1706050120 EN revision H 19
Parameter
Instrument
Measurement range
Response to background
Measurement ranges
Response to background
indicated for 100 nGy/h
PAM-170A
-
-
PAM-170B
-
-
PAM-170C (alpha)
4 cps to 100 kcps
< 0.3 cps, typically 0.15 cps
PAM-170C (beta)
6 cps to 100 kcps
< 12 cps, typically 6 cps
PAM-170D
-
-
PAM-170E (alpha)
4 cps to 100 kcps
< 0.1 cps, typically 0.05 cps
PAM-170E (beta + gamma)
15 cps to 100 kcps
< 50 cps, typically 25 cps
Displayed quantities
Pulse rate [cps], activity [Bq], surface activity [Bq∙cm-2]
Relative intrinsic error
±25 %
Reference radionuclide
241Am (alpha), 36Cl (beta)
Time constant
Variable (2 ÷ 30) s
Homogeneity
The minimum response must be greater than half the maximum response measured
across the entire sensitive area of the detector, i.e. the deviation must be less than 50 %,
typically 25 %.
Crosstalk from alpha channel
to beta (beta + gamma)
channel, for types PAM-170C,
PAM-170E
< 30 %, typically 15 %
Overload
Indication of overload when the measurement range is exceeded up to 100x the upper
limit (“MAX” indicated on display).
Tab. 6 Radiometric parameters of detector series PAM-170

General description
VF1706050120 EN revision H 20
4. General description
4.1. Purpose
The PAM-100 and PAM-170 series meters are portable hand-held instruments intended for the measurement
of surface contamination by alpha, beta and gamma emitting radionuclides - depending on the type.
It can be used in many applications wherever contamination is expected and needs to be monitored: in nuclear
power plants, re-processing plants, the decommissioning and dismantling of nuclear facilities and the
management of radioactive waste, in the medical industry, in research and environmental applications. The
surfaces of various objects can be measured, such as: walls, floors, tables, pallets, drums, hands, feet and
clothing.
4.2. Overview of PAM series meters
Fig. 1 Portable PAM series meters
The PAM-170 series of the portable activity meters differ from the PAM-100 series by the detector area,
dimensions, weight and radiometric parameters.
The instruments in both series have a unified design. The individual types have different scintillators used,
metrological parameters and software settings.
PAM-100A, PAM-170A are single-channel instruments optimized for the measurement of alpha radiation
emitting radionuclides. The radiation detector is ZnS(Ag) scintillation material coated on an acrylic glass board.
The instruments are characterised by their good efficiency of alpha radionuclides detection and excellent
suppression of beta and gamma radiation detection.
PAM-100B, PAM-170B are single-channel instruments optimized for the measurement of alpha and beta
radiation emitting radionuclides. The radiation detector is a very thin plastic scintillator. The instruments are
characterised by their good efficiency of alpha radionuclides detection, excellent efficiency including low
energies for beta radiation, and low efficiency of gamma radiation detection.
PAM-100
PAM-170