How to Use the Inspector Alert

Copyright 2011

International Medcom 707-823-0336

www.medcom.com

This presentation is intended to give the

user a brief overview of how to operate the
Inspector Alert.
Copyright 2011

International Medcom 707-823-0336

www.medcom.com

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)

Copyright 2011

International Medcom 707-823-0336

www.medcom.com

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.

Copyright 2011

International Medcom 707-823-0336

www.medcom.com

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.

Copyright 2011

International Medcom 707-823-0336

www.medcom.com

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 menu
icon 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.

Copyright 2011

International Medcom 707-823-0336

www.medcom.com

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.

Copyright 2011

International Medcom 707-823-0336

www.medcom.com

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.

Copyright 2011

International Medcom 707-823-0336

www.medcom.com

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.

Copyright 2011

International Medcom 707-823-0336

www.medcom.com

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.

Copyright 2011

International Medcom 707-823-0336

www.medcom.com

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.

Copyright 2011

International Medcom 707-823-0336

www.medcom.com