How to Use the Inspector Alert

Copyright 2011 International Medcom 707-823-0336

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How to Use the Inspector Alert


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This presentation is intended to give the

user a brief overview of how to operate the

Inspector Alert.


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What the Inspector Alert Does

The Inspector Alert measures the rate of the following types of nuclear radiation

Alpha

Beta

Gamma

X-radiation

The Inspector Alert measures the amount of nuclear radiation in

Counts per minute (CPM)

Counts per second (CPS)

MilliRoentgens per hour (mR/hr)

MicroSieverts per hour

(Sv/hr)


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How to Turn On the Inspector Alert

Turn the Inspector Alert on by moving the lower switch from Off to On or Audio.

On--The Inspector Alert is measuring radiation but there is no audio.

Audio--The Inspector Alert is measuring radiation, and beeping with each count of radiation that is detected.

When the Inspector Alert is first turned on it does a 3 second system check, displaying all the indicators and numbers.

After the system check is finished the Inspector Alert shows the current level of nuclear radiation.

The Inspector Alert updates its visual display once every three seconds.


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How to Select the Operating Mode

Move the upper switch to

Total/Timer

CPM/CPS (counts per minute or counts per second)

mR/hr or Sv/hr(milliRoentgen per hour or microSievert per hour).

In Total mode the Inspector Alert starts totaling the counts it registers, and the numeric display is updated each time a count is registered.

The CPM mode is the easiest to understand.


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How to Switch the Mode

in the Utility Menu To switch the mode from mR/hr to

Sv/hr and from CPM to CPS:

Turn the Inspector Alert off.

Hold down the + button on the end panel while turning the Inspector Alert on. The menuicon will appear at the lower right corner.

Scroll through the numbers on the screen by pushing the +and - buttons until you get to 2.

Press the SET button on the end panel. Press + for mR/hr(CPM) and - for Sv/hr (CPS).

Press the SET button twice.


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What is Background Count?

The background count is the normal level of nuclear radiation that is occurring at a given time and place.

Some sources of background radiation are:

The sun

Minerals in the earth

Residual radiation from nuclear testing and other man made sources

Nuclear radiation is a naturally occurring phenomenon. When the Inspector Alert is on it is normally measuring the background count.

A user should determine the normal background count in case abnormal levels of nuclear radiation occur.

The mesh screen covers the end window of the Geiger-Mueller sensor.


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How to Determine the Average

Background Count Turn the Inspector Alert On, and

put it in Total mode.

Set the Timer switch on the end panel to Set.

Press the + button until the display reads 00:10 (this means ten minutes).

Set the Timer switch to On. The Inspector Alert beeps three times and starts counting.

At the end of the ten minutes, the Inspector Alert beeps three times, and repeats beeping several times. Note the total reading.

Divide this number by ten for the average count per minute which is the average background count per minute.


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Considerations Involved in Finding

the Best Level to Set the Alert The ideal alert setting provides enough sensitivity to detect any

increase in the radiation level above naturally occurring background levels without false alarms caused by normal random variations in the background radiation level.

A good setting for one location may cause alerts in another location since background radiation levels can vary due to

altitude

geography

radon gas

radioactive materials in buildings

mineral content in soil and rocks

Each user should balance the need for sensitivity against false alarms occurring from local geography and conditions.

A good alert level can be developed experimentally or through the formula found on the next slide.

Use this number and adjust it as necessary for local conditions.


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One Way to Determine Where to

Set the Alert Use the Inspector Alert in CPM / CPS mode

to measure counts for 30 consecutive minutes.

Record each reading.

Add the readings and divide the sum by 30.

Find the difference between each reading and the average.

Square each of these differences (multiply it by itself).

Total the squares of the differences and divide the sum by 29.

Find the square root of this sum. This number is the standard deviation.

Multiply the standard deviation by 4 and add this number to the average from step 3 above. Set the alert level to this number.


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How to Change the Battery Turn the Inspector Alert over.

Remove the battery cover.

Detach the 9 volt alkaline battery from the wire connector and replace.

The battery life for the Inspector Alert is approximately 2,160 hours at normal background, average 625 hours at 1 mR/hr with beeper off.

How to Use the Inspector Alert

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