Technical characteristics. Impressions of operation.
This is the top model of Lviv’s Scientific and Production Private Enterprise (SPPE) "Sparing-Vist-Center". The device is focused on professional users, much can and costs a lot. It is recommended by the manufacturer to use in system of the radiating control of Ukraine, including: in divisions of radiochemical investigation of a civil defence, in armed forces, in services of a radiation control of atomic engineering, in medicine, in the nuclear physics.
Many people already had time to named MKS-U: "the reincarnation of legendary veteran the DP-5". During the given review I will try to find out is it true.
On the one part: the design of the block of detecting with two gas-discharge detectors (SBM20 - for small and average levels, SI3BG - on high), reminds very much the block of detector of the DP-5. On the other part, MKS has got two more detectors: the planar silicon detector of beta particles with the area of a working surface of 1sm2 (it is located in an end face of the portable block of detecting) and the internal detector for calculation of the dose of the operator. And element base are new, not to mention more high specification. Besides it is possible to connect to the device the external scintillation detector on the basis of CsJ (this detector is not included into the base complete set of delivery and it is got separately (option).
So the first acquaintance with MKS-U: the big plywood suitcase of color khaki with metal corners, has reminded of times of the Soviet Union (complete set weight - about 8 kg),
 |
In our kit there were no solar battery and a control source, and in connection of loss battery charger device we should passed from accumulators on to usual batteries of type АА.
 |
The case is made well, plastic thick green - "army". It is pull together with powerful bolts, everywhere inner seals, on buttons rubber protective caps. Though, the manufacturer does not promise the full water resistance, splashproof is quitereal, and the portable block of detecting, besides is possible even to immersein water on depth to 0,5 m. In general all in this device speaks about professional purpose.
I will not be paint in all details all its possibilities and functions. I will only notice breathily, that except measurement of gamma, beta, calculation of a dose, programming of the alarm system of excess of threshold levels, the device also has non-volatile memory and can keep up to 4096 measurements (results can be seen both on the screen of the device and to type them on the computer by means of IR interface).
- Specifications
|
Measurement ranges and basic relative errors:
|
||
| - Gamma and X-ray radiation equivalent dose rate (137Cs) |
µSv/h
|
0,1…107;
±15% |
| - Gamma and X-ray radiation equivalent dose (137Cs) |
Sv
|
10-2…100;
|
| - Beta-particles flux density (90Sr+90Y) |
1/(cm²·min)
|
10…2.105;
±20% |
| - Equivalent dose accumulation time and accuracy of measurement: |
1min … 100h;
±1min per 100h |
|
|
Energy ranges of measurement and energy dependence:
|
||
| - Gamma and X-ray radiation |
MeV
|
0,05…3,0;
±25% |
| - Beta radiatio |
MэB
|
0,5…3,0;
±20%
|
| - Threshold level programming resolution for: - dose rate - dose - flux density |
µSv/h
mSv 10³/cm²·min |
0,01
0,01 0,01 |
| - Time of anestablishment of operating conditions, is no more then |
min
|
1
|
|
- Time ofcontinuous work from the charged accumulators of standard size АА in capacity750 mAh, with the disconnected micro-light and the detector block - At livemicro-light and the detector block |
hours
|
100
10
|
| - Operating temperature range |
°С
|
-40…+50
|
| - Dimensionsof the panel without a connecting cable, no more then |
mm
|
82×124×163
|
Now a little about impressions. For me it was pleasant to work with the device, but to work, instead of to walk... Two kilograms box hanging on a neck and a telescopic bar with the detecting block in hands, poorly do for simply to "be well informed" about a gamma background or beta pollution (for such Terra MKS-05, Terra-P or a similar pocket dosimeter quite will do for). By this device it is necessary to "Measure".
Calculate quickly, search possibilities excellent. Economical. It was maintained during two years actively enough in severe constraints (as well as it is necessary to such device), without any censures - hence it is reliable. I did not try to work with it at -40 and +50oС, but from -15 up to + 35oС, it works without failures.
 |
That is good: practically, all.
That is notgood: the range of measurement of density of a stream of beta particles is small (for the device of such level the limit in 200 thousand CPM is rather small. I had some cases of off-scale reading on MKS-U in a mode of measurement of density of a stream of beta particles... It was necessary to take old naval KRB-1 with a limit of 1 million CPM), not too friendly interface. Though the control panel of MKS-U, in difference from other production of "Sparing-Vist" (Stora, Terra) has replenished with two more buttons, it has not added intuitivism to the interface. Poor fastening of a telescopic bar to bayonet lock of the portable block of detecting - demands constant readjust of the fixing screw. Communication with the computer -expensive pleasure (expensive software + special IR interface). The cover is not so qualitatively made (in some places cover have started tearing apart at the seams).The resume. So, do we have in the person of MKS-U a new DP-5 or the brown "vintage" cover has addled many people? However, I consider MKS-U, though also as "the successor of nice traditions of DP-5", but nevertheless the absolutely different device. DP-5 was inexact, simple, cheap and reliable. From these four points MKS-U has inherited only the point fourth: reliability. And that, considering that many DP-5, work without a hitch, having exchanged already over forty, to speak about it a bit early.So is it similar MKS-U on DP-5 or not let now decide others. For me this question is not actual any more. MKS-U the modern, qualitative device for professionals, at level with foreign analogues and the best that produce today in Ukraine
|
MKS-U in a mode of measurement of equivalent dose rate - 0,42 µSv/h (42 µR/h) |
MKS-U in a mode of measurement of beta-particles flux density - 81480 CPM |
Dosimeter MKS-U |
 |
 |
 |
Author: Yevgen "KRANZ" Goncharenko
| Roentgenmeter DP-5A< Prev | Next >Dosimeter Terra MKS-05 |
|---|
