User manual

Alpha, Beta, Gamma Radiation

Your GAMMA-SCOUT

is equipped with a Geiger-Müller counter tube enabling you to detect not

only gamma radiation, but alpha and beta radiation as well (currently Centronic ZP 1401, technical

charts at www.centronic.uk).

With the Radiation Selection Switch, You Can Limit the Radiation Types You Want to

Measure:

• Settheselectiontocenterposition(y symbol) if you want to detect gamma radiation only.

With the switch in this position, an aluminum plate screens the counter tube window against alpha

and beta radiation.

• Turntheswitchtothelefttotheß + y symbols, if you want to measure gamma and beta radia-

tion, but no alpha radiation. Now an aluminum foil screens the counter tube window against alpha

radiation.

• Turntheswitchtotherighttothea + ß + y symbols, if you wish to measure all three radiation

types. This switch position opens the counter tube window for access by the three radiation types.

For normal measuring, place the radiation selection switch at center position. Alpha and beta radia-

tion are limited in range to a few centimeters or meters, so can only be detected when very close to

the radiation source.

This also explains why it makes little sense to keep the radiation selection switch constantly open –

an added reason being that the counter tube window may be damaged in this exposed position, for

example, when poked by a pen.

ß + y

a + ß + y