PORTABLE INSTRUMENT MAINTENANCE MANUAL
DOE/ERSP PROCEDURENO.29
APPROVED: 21 March 1978 by Eberline Instrument Corporation

L

GENERAL
A.

The PRS-1 digital ratemeter sealer is compatible with all alpha, beta and gamma probes
discussed in the Portable Instrument Maintenance Manual (PIMM). In the scaler mode
the instrument counts pulses for a present time and displays the detected counts per
minute (epm). In the ratemeter mode the instrument detects a predetermined numberof
pulses and divides that number by the time that was required to detect the pulses. The
resultant number is displayed. A "calibration factor" (which is discussed later) is
available in the ratemeter mode which converts the resultant number to units more
useful than detected cpm. The PRS-1 can be used for gross counting or pulse height
analysis (PHA) in energy spectrum analyses.

B.

The three-month calibration interval specified in this manual for all instruments is based
on past Eberline experience plus consideration of the extremely corrosive environments
encountered, Any future adjustments of this calibration interval will be limited to
decreasing the interval only. Any adjustment will be made only after a thorough review
of the instrument history ecards by the Eberline Engineer and Instrument Equipment
Technician. The Eberline Engineer has the final authority for making any change in the
calibration interval.

C.

The following documentation will be maintained on all instruments and associated probes.
1.

Instrument History Cards (5x7-inch)
a.

2.

Information entered on these cards will be: model number, serial
number, date due calibration, calibration factor (when appropriate) and
high voltage setting (when appropriate). In addition, all actions taken
on the instrument, i.e., repair, calibration, operational check, cleaning,
date dispatched to field, discrepancies, ete., will be entered on this
ecard. All entries, with the exception of the date dispatched, will be
handseribed. The date dispatched will be entered by using a date stamp.

Calibration Scheduling Card (5x7-inch)
a.

This card will be maintained on all instruments and associated probesin
date due calibration sequence. Entries on this card will be limited to
model number, serial number and date due calibration. When an
instrument is calibrated, the new date due calibration will be entered
on this ecard and the card placed in the proper sequence for the new
date.

IL.

OPERATIONAL CHECK PROCEDURES
Instruments should be checked daily for correct operation, with the following procedures, prior
to their usage in the RADLAB and prior to their issue for usage in the field. These operational
checks should also be made before performing the three-month instrument calibration.
A.

PRS-1
1.

Visual check for external dirt, corrosion and damage. Clean and repair as needed.

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