I was measuring radon with AlphaE (product of Saphymo)
On the screen, the "NOISE" response appeared.
I tried to start another measurement but the "NOISE" was still on it during several days...
I could not find sufficient info in the instrument manual...
Many thanks for your help
Dear Zoltan Sas
I'm resending the comment from a coworker, who has much experience with this type of instrument. I also sent his email to communicate with him if you want more details. I'm sure he will help.
I wish you luck
Paula
Dear Mr.:
I think you can do several previous things.
First to all.
You should check
AC Power supply , if you has UPS, it was better.
Besides the ground line.
Could you send us the manual?
Do you have a technical reception of the equipment?
Do you have your ac power supply near of electromechanical equipment?
Do you test your equipment in different hour of the day. For example luch hour, or after working hours
Regards
Ricardo Ruiz ([email protected])
I fear Paula and coworkers mismatched the instrument's type, AlphaE is battery powered an with at least under that profile it seems to be very, robust.
As to "NOISE", I never saw that message, having used the instrument in several environments with high acustic noise, high humidity and so on.
A first question is: are you sure your instrument is measurring only radon or could be present other dispersed isotopes in air?
Another source of noise in the detector could be mechanical vibration, which could be or even not, induced by acustic noise since the instrument is very light.
The issue is enteresting, if I have news I'll write.
Dear Francesco,
Thank you for your reply.
I was measuring the exhalation of a NORM bottom ash in an accumulation chamber.
Only the thoron could be the only other isotope but I put the source into a perforated, but a filter equipped plastic container so the thoron had no chance to exhale from it and get into the detector space.
There was no any vibration during the measurement.
The NOISE appeared and since that time I can't use the AlphaE. To tell the truth, it was not possible to switch off and connect to PC for a while.
A few days later I could turn off and on and connect to PC but the NOISE appears after few minutes again...
Today, I will send it back to the manufacturer to fix it...
Even if without error messages, I experienced the biggest troubles with AlhaE in high relative humidity, when water condenses on the surface the instrument seems to quit.
Your plastic container should filter some humidity, maybe not enough, write news if the manufacturer's intervention works.
It would be useful for all users
Thank you
F
Dear Francesco, it seems to be that you got the point.
I was measuring humid samples and NOISE appeared after it. I wanted to compare the emanation coefficient increment in the function of the moisture content...
I was checking the manual before I started the measurement but there was no any information about the humidity range...
I found this in the manual: "Hence, the measurement performs independently from fluctuating external parameters like aerosol concentration and air humidity.
This is worthwhile to mention, as these factors have a big impact on the measurement of radon progenies but no influence on the radon gas."
This is the reason why I tried to measure humid samples. I expected a bit better properties...
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