Classic and current radiation protection instruments, grouped by what they do. Find the meter your site uses and see the generic type the exam asks about, what it detects, its range, and the manual.
Every site has its own instrument fleet, but the DOE RCT exam asks about instrument types: a GM count rate meter with a pancake probe, an ion chamber, a ZnS alpha probe, a gas proportional PCM. Each entry below gives that generic type, so you can match what is on your shelf to what is on the test.
Specifications are taken from the manufacturer's manual or datasheet. Your site's procedures and the instrument's own calibration govern how you use it. Study more with the study guides and the practice tests.
Hand probes for alpha surface contamination.
Probe for the ASP-2 and ASP-2e ratemeters (up to 1500 V).
General-purpose portable ratemeter that reads out contamination or dose rate from the probe plugged into it.
Basic model: ratemeter mode only. Set up with the WinASP2 host program; 3 C cells, about 100 h.
General-purpose portable ratemeter that reads out contamination or dose rate from the probe plugged into it.
Adds integrated dose, scaler counts and a pulse height window for energy-proportional probes (same manual as ASP-2).
Hand probe for alpha and beta surface contamination.
Probe for the ASP-2 and ASP-2e ratemeters (up to 1900 V).
Hand probe for beta surface contamination.
Probe for the ASP-2 and ASP-2e ratemeters (up to 900 V).
Hand probe for daily contamination surveys of personnel, tables, floors and equipment.
Useful beta sensitivity down to 40 keV, alpha sensitive above 3 MeV; HP-210T adds tungsten shielding for beta in gamma fields.
Shielded, directional gamma probe.
Probe for the ASP-2 and ASP-2e ratemeters (up to 600 V).
Hand probe for contamination surveys; background sensitivity about 3600 cpm per mR/hr (Cs-137).
Same detector specification as the HP-360, which differs only in its housing.
Hand probe for alpha and beta surface contamination without a gas bottle.
Probe for the ASP-2 and ASP-2e ratemeters (up to 1800 V).
Hand probe for alpha and beta surface contamination.
Probe for the ASP-2 and ASP-2e ratemeters (up to 1000 V).
Hand probe for alpha surface contamination.
Probe for the ASP-2 and ASP-2e ratemeters (up to 1500 V).
Pancake GM hand probe for contamination surveys.
Probe for the ASP-2 and ASP-2e ratemeters (up to 900 V).
Hand probe for low-energy gamma emitters.
Probe for the ASP-2 and ASP-2e ratemeters.
100 cm2 hand probe for alpha surface contamination.
Probe for the ASP-2 and ASP-2e ratemeters.
100 cm2 hand probe for alpha and beta surface contamination.
Probe for the ASP-2 and ASP-2e ratemeters (up to 1000 V).
Probe for low-energy gamma and X-rays.
Probe for the ASP-2 and ASP-2e ratemeters (up to 1500 V).
Probe for low-energy gamma and X-ray emitters.
Probe for the ASP-2 and ASP-2e ratemeters (up to 1300 V).
Read out a G-M probe as a count rate with audible clicks and an adjustable locking alarm.
AC line or internal 6 V gel battery (about 50 hours); fast/slow response switch; recorder and scaler outputs.
Read out a contamination probe as a count rate with audible clicks and an adjustable locking alarm.
RM-20 series units are identical except meter face; AC powered, optional internal 12 V battery; RM-25 later replaced it.
Frisker station: reads a contamination probe as a count rate with audible counts and alarm.
Enhanced RM-14/RM-20 replacement; setup and calibration by PC (WinRM25); 110-130 VAC or 12-14 VDC.
Alpha scintillator for particulate filters and swipe samples.
Probe for the ASP-2 and ASP-2e ratemeters (up to 1400 V).
High sensitivity gamma scintillation probe.
Probe for the ASP-2 and ASP-2e ratemeters (up to 1600 V).
Medium sensitivity gamma probe.
Probe for the ASP-2 and ASP-2e ratemeters (up to 1600 V).
General gamma scintillation probe.
Probe for the ASP-2 and ASP-2e ratemeters (up to 1500 V).
Gamma probe for radioiodine.
Probe for the ASP-2 and ASP-2e ratemeters (up to 1600 V).
General purpose analog survey meter; the probe plugged in decides what it reads.
Fast (4 s) or slow (22 s) meter response; two D cells, typically more than 2000 hours.
Analog ratemeter for contamination and gamma surveys; wide high voltage range lets it run gas proportional probes like the 43-68.
Input sensitivity adjustable -1 to -100 mV; fast (4 s) or slow (22 s) response.
One-handed frisking of people and objects for contamination.
RATE, MAX and COUNT modes (count up to 20 min); two AA batteries, about 1000 hours; Model 26-3 adds mR/hr and dpm units.
Alpha-only survey probe for surfaces; efficiency 13% (4pi) for Pu-239, background 3 cpm or less.
Operating voltage typically 500 to 1200 V; used with general purpose ratemeters and scalers.
Large-area alpha/beta contamination probe run on P-10 gas with a ratemeter or the Model 2360.
4pi efficiency Pu-239 20%, Sr-90/Y-90 20%; alpha plateau typically 1100-1400 V, beta-gamma 1600-1800 V.
Large-area alpha and beta contamination probe for floors, tools and equipment.
4pi efficiency Pu-239 17.5%, Tc-99 15%, Sr-90/Y-90 17.5%; suggested instruments Model 2360, 3002, 3003.
Alpha and beta contamination probe read separately on a dual-channel meter such as the 2360.
4pi efficiency Tc-99 15%, Sr-90/Y-90 20%, Pu-239 20%; background alpha 3 cpm or less, beta 300 cpm or less.
Sensitive gamma probe for finding sources and low-level gamma surveys; about 175 cpm per µR/hr (Cs-137).
Background 1800 cpm in a 10 µR/hr field; energy dependent, so not for dose measurements without correction.
Standard hand probe for frisking and contamination surveys; 3300 cpm per mR/hr (Cs-137 gamma).
Typical 4pi efficiency 22% Sr-90/Y-90, 5% C-14; operates at 900 Vdc; optional dose filter flattens energy response.
Digital ratemeter and scaler; swap between a pancake GM and a gamma scintillator without recalibrating.
Ratemeter or scaler mode (1 to 9999 s); two D cells, typically 200 hours; 2241-2RK kit adds a 44-9 and 44-2.
Counts alpha and beta together from one probe, with logged results for contamination surveys and smear counting.
Stores 550 data points; RS-232 port; six separate alarms; typical battery life 250 hours.
Handheld pancake-style contamination meter that reads cps or Bq/cm2.
Histogram of 480 points; IrDA port with RDS-CSW software; 2 AA batteries, at least 2000 hours.
Pocket frisker and survey meter; scaler, ratemeter and dose rate modes.
Energy range 17 keV - 3 MeV with optional filters; optional alpha blocker separates alpha from beta; 300 g, 2 AAA batteries.
Low-level gamma survey in µR/h; SCA mode reads only a chosen energy window to cut background.
Accuracy within 10% of reading (20 to 100% of full scale); reads µR/h based on Cs-137; 9 V battery.
Read low-level gamma dose rate directly in rem, with no mR/h conversion.
Micro Sievert model reads µSv/h; eight part numbers (standard or extended probe, standard or low energy); two 9 V batteries.
Survey gamma and X-ray exposure rate, and beta with the shield open, in plant areas.
Harshaw/Bicron, Saint-Gobain; one 9 V battery; collection potential self-test; energy response +/-20%, 12 keV to 7 MeV.
Survey higher gamma and X-ray exposure rates than the RSO-5 reaches.
High-range counterpart of the RSO-5; one 9 V battery; collection potential 30 V from ten energy cells.
Probe for gamma exposure rate measurement.
Probe for the ASP-2 and ASP-2e ratemeters (up to 900 V).
Probe for higher gamma exposure rates.
Probe for the ASP-2 and ASP-2e ratemeters (up to 550 V).
Survey gamma and X-ray exposure rate and beta dose rate in plant areas; calibrated to Cs-137 gamma.
Slide shield open for beta; three 9 V batteries; energy response +/-20%, 12 keV to 7 MeV.
Survey higher gamma and X-ray exposure rates and beta dose rate than the RO-2 reaches.
Higher-range version of the RO-2; four 9 V batteries.
Survey X-ray and gamma exposure rate (and beta with slide open) in plant areas; calibrated to Cs-137 gamma.
Five ranges (the RO-2 has four); back-lit meter; five C cells plus 30 V chamber bias cells. Discontinued by Thermo; the RO-20 AA is the AA-cell version.
Exposure rate survey from low mR/h to 50 R/h; open the beta shield to read beta dose rate.
AA-cell version of the RO-20; calibrated to Cs-137; reads about 8% of true neutron field (PuBe); 5 s response.
Beta-gamma dose rate meter for higher fields; slide open reads beta plus gamma, slide closed reads gamma only.
Energy response within 20% from 40 keV to 2 MeV; two AA batteries.
Survey meter that also has a built-in high-range gamma tube so the needle pins in very high fields.
Internal detector energy response within 15% from 60 keV to 3 MeV; set for 900 V GM operation.
Finds and measures near-background gamma levels; sensitivity about 175 cpm per µR/hr (Cs-137).
Energy response is nonlinear, so dose and exposure readings can be over or under reported.
Ion chamber dose rate and dose meter with analog bar graph and alarms.
Handheld H*(10) dose rate meter that doubles as a contamination meter with probes.
IP67; complies with ANSI N42.33 and IEC 60846; 2 AA batteries; 220 g with batteries.
General gamma dose rate meter; base unit for neutron (WENDI-2), gamma and contamination probes.
IP 67; 2 AA batteries; datalogging of 256 points; versions G, G-L, G-10, G-L10 and G-X (probe only).
Pocket dose rate meter for gamma surveys; G-10 versions read ambient dose equivalent H*(10) in Sv.
Sold in several versions (G, G-10, GF, Ex); ranges differ by version.
Worn or hand-held pager for finding sources and warning of dose rate.
Current generation is the PRD4 / PRD-ER4. The original PRD read up to 25 mR/h and the PRD-ER up to 10 R/h.
Beta-gamma dose rate: slide open for skin dose, slide closed for deep dose.
Not pressurized; Freeze mode holds the peak rate; two 9 V batteries, 200 hours.
Low-level (µR) dose rate and dose from X-ray and gamma; used for area surveys and release checks.
Pressurized chamber ships as DOT Dangerous Goods under special permit DOT-SP 13187; two 9 V batteries, 200 hours.
Reach into high fields from distance; telescope extends to about 4 m; high range tube takes over above 10 mSv/h.
Probe for the Automess 6150AD dose rate meter; the /H and /E versions read H*(10).
Reads high gamma fields from a distance on an extendable pole, for hot spots and high-dose areas.
Pole extends to 11 ft (337 cm); tubes switch at 1,500 mR/h rising.
Survey high-dose-rate or out-of-reach areas from the end of an 11 ft pole.
Pole 120 cm collapsed, 335 cm extended; LED on the head; WRM2 radio; four AA batteries, 85 hours.
3 in. moderator sphere probe for neutron dose rate.
Probe for the ASP-2 and ASP-2e ratemeters (up to 2300 V).
Classic 9 in. rem ball for neutron dose rate, read on a survey meter such as the ASP-2.
The BF3 version (NRD9) is discontinued; the He-3 version is still sold.
9 in. moderator sphere probe for neutron dose rate.
Probe for the ASP-2 and ASP-2e ratemeters (up to 2300 V).
Standard rem ball for neutron dose rate around reactors, sources and casks.
Sensitivity typically 10 cpm per µSv/h (bare AmBe); gamma rejection under 10 cpm through 10 R/hr; 8.3 kg.
Neutron fluence and dose spectrum work with interchangeable moderator spheres on a cart.
Ludlum lists 42-5 as a ball cart with detector, not one fixed rem ball; about 45 cpm per mrem/hr (AmBe, 10 in.).
Light hand-held alternative to a rem ball for neutron dose surveys, used with a Ludlum ratemeter such as the 2363.
The 42-41 is the same detector family. About 350 cpm per mrem/hr (AmBe); 2.3 kg.
Measure neutron dose equivalent rate in mrem/hr near reactors, accelerators and neutron sources.
Military designation AN/PDR-70; manual reissued by Canberra Industries (2003); three D cells; 25 lbs; accuracy +/-10%.
Neutron dose rate across thermal to high energy, plugged into an FH 40 G or FHT 6020 monitor.
Sensitivity 0.84 cps/(µSv/h) Cf-252; weight 13.5 kg; angular dependence +/-20%.
Whole body contamination check at an RCA exit: the person counts one side, turns, and counts the other.
The PCM-1B is the same family; the manual's drawings cover both. A person is counted twice, once per side.
Step-in monitor that checks the whole body for alpha and beta/gamma contamination and shows where on a body outline.
Optional hand-held frisking probe; two count cycles per person.
Walk-in beta/gamma contamination check of a person at an exit or emergency response site.
Assembles in 5 minutes without tools; factory preset detects 1.0 µCi Cs-137 beta source in 10 µR/hr background; 120 VAC or six D cells.
Walk-in whole body frisk of alpha/beta contamination when leaving a controlled area.
Argos-3AB is the 18 detector version, field upgradeable to 5AB. Uses P-10 style counting gas.
Walk-in whole body alpha/beta contamination frisk with no counting gas to supply.
Argos-3PAB is the 18 detector version. Alpha and beta discrimination; same form factor as gas flow Argos-AB.
Clears tools, bags, hard hats and other articles for release from a controlled area by gamma counting.
Built-in 100 kg scale. Single or dual door. Cronos-1 is the smaller 42.9 L unit.
Clears larger items such as waste bags and equipment for release by gamma counting.
Same software and electronics family as Argos, GEM-5 and Sirius. Built-in 100 kg scale.
Screens people leaving contaminated or potentially contaminated areas for gamma-emitting contamination.
Three modes: walkthrough, pause-and-count, and two-step with a 180 degree turn. Complies with IEC 61098.
Hand, cuff and foot frisk at the exit of a contaminated area.
Gas flow window is 0.8 mg/cm2 Mylar; gasless window is 1.2 mg/cm2. Optional frisker probe.
Walk-up monitor that counts hands, feet and clothing probe on exit from a controlled area.
Manufactured by Mirion Technologies (RADOS) GmbH. Gas version needs counting gas; warm-up about 2 h with P10.
Step-in body monitor that checks head, hands, body and feet for contamination before leaving a controlled area.
Split-Delta geometry housing; optional small items box and head detector. Made by Mirion Technologies (RADOS) GmbH.
Release measurement of tools and objects leaving a controlled area, with optional weight cells and nuclide vectors.
Compact class of the CheckPoint:Waste family; one or two doors; 4 or 6 detector versions. Made by Mirion Technologies (RADOS) GmbH.
Stand-in whole body, hand and foot contamination monitor; Thermo's successor to the PCM2 geometry.
Combines the PCM-2 detector geometry and IPM9 serviceability with Series 12 electronics. 660 lb open frame.
Walk-through portal that screens people for gamma contamination, with a statistical alarm set to a reliably detectable activity.
Variants PM12A (LCD), PM12B (no LCD), PM12C (power doors), each with 05L or 10L lead. Battery backup for 6 hours.
Cabinet that monitors tools, clothing, personal effects and waste for gamma contamination.
SAM12A standard; SAM12L low-energy plastic liner version. Variants set by detectors (4C/6C), doors (1D/2D), lead (1L/2L).
Grab or continuous duty radioiodine and particulate sampling in the field.
9.5 lb aluminum cabinet. 115 or 230 VAC; DIGITAL variants add a flow display. CF-901 takes the 1.5 in. CF holders.
Fixed station outdoor particulate air sampling at constant flow as filters load.
115 VAC 5.0 A, max vacuum 49 in. H2O. The 3-stage HVP-4300AFC is the higher vacuum version.
Low-volume lapel or general air sampling pump that holds a set flow constant for filter or cartridge samples.
Flow held within +/-2.5%; 4.8 V NiCd/NiMH battery pack, 14 to 16 h recharge; check against a primary flow standard.
Lightweight grab sampler for airborne particulates or particulates plus radioiodine.
8 x 10 x 7 in., 10.5 lb, UL listed. The 12/24 VDC H-809C is a separate model.
Portable high volume particulate sampling, indoor or outdoor.
TFIA-2 is the 220-240 V version of the 110-125 V TFIA. About 10 lb; 4 in. filter holder standard.
Samples air on a filter and reports acute and chronic alpha/beta concentration and DAC, fitting radon daughter peaks to separate them.
Typical beta efficiency 15% for Cl-36; alpha 4-pi efficiency expected 22 to 30%. Battery run time 8 hours.
Draws air through a filter and alarms on airborne beta particulate: slow/fast concentration, net beta rate, DAC-hr, stack release.
Radial inlet or in-line stack head. WinAMS software networks 1 to 12 AMS-4 units.
Workplace air monitor that alarms on airborne alpha/beta particulate with radon/thoron compensation.
Alpha MCA spectroscopy for radon/thoron compensation; beta window 50 keV to 2.5 MeV. Part of the CAMSYS line.
Higher flow version of the iCAM for lower detection limits in a fixed location.
Same electronics and software family as the iCAM. 30 kg without pump.
Early warning of airborne transuranic (Pu-238, Pu-239) releases with DAC and DAC-hour alarms.
Tracks up to 8 isotopes with spectra refreshed every second. ALPHA7L is the Amphenol connector variant.
Measure gamma activity of drums, pipes, soil and room surfaces in place, calibrating efficiency by software for each geometry.
LabSOCS (S574) uses the same algorithms for laboratory counting.
Counts air sample filters and smears for alpha and beta, with radon/thoron compensation for long-lived alpha activity.
Guaranteed 50 mm efficiency: 30.0% Am-241 alpha, 22.0% Sr-90 beta. Filters up to 60 mm diameter.
Counts H-3, C-14 and other low-level beta or alpha emitters in liquid samples; direct DPM by TDCR.
Racks 96 x 5 mL, 96 x 7 mL or 40 x 20 mL vials. 125 kg. Needs no external standard for TDCR efficiency.
Scaler and timer for counting alpha and beta smear and air filter samples.
Independent RS-232 outputs for alpha and beta channels.
Counts smears and air filters for alpha and beta at the same time.
Crosstalk alpha to beta 10% or less, beta to alpha 1% or less. Also sold as the 3030-2 and 3030P.
Counting room gamma spectroscopy with strong efficiency below 1 MeV for typical samples.
Compared by Mirion with 60% relative efficiency coaxial detectors; low energy resolution like a LEGe.
Batch counting of air filters, swipes, water and soil samples for gross alpha/beta.
Descends from the Canberra/Tennelec LB5100 and directly replaces the Series 5 XLB.
Gamma spectroscopy of environmental, effluent and bioassay samples in the counting room.
Typically paired with ORTEC MCA electronics and GammaVision software; LN2 or mechanical cooling.
Counts swipes, air filters and water samples for gross alpha/beta at low detection limits.
Uses P-10 gas at 60 cc/min with failsafe gas monitoring; 2 in. planchets; 1200 lb.
Counts tritium and C-14 in water, bioassay and smear samples.
Revvity is the former PerkinElmer/Packard Tri-Carb line. 238 kg, built-in Windows PC with QuantaSmart.
Self-reading pocket dosimeter for high-range gamma exposure checks.
Accuracy +/-10% of true exposure; leakage under 1% of full scale in 24 h; ANSI N13.5 and N322.
Low-range self-reading pocket dosimeter (SRPD) for routine entries; recharged on a charger.
W138-S is the 0-2 mSv version. Arrow-Tech recommends yearly calibration.
Passive whole body or area badge for monthly or quarterly dose of record.
Nondestructive readout so a badge can be re-read; no annealing. Read by an InLight reader.
Worn electronic dosimeter showing dose and dose rate with pre-alarm and alarm; set up and read by LDM readers.
Configured with DosiMass software. Pass-by reads at 1.2 m; CR2450 battery about 1 year; IP67.
Worn electronic dosimeter showing dose and dose rate with pre-alarm and alarm; set up and read by LDM readers.
Same manual as the DMC 2000 S; configured with DosiMass. Battery about 9 months; IP53.
Worn electronic dosimeter showing dose and dose rate with pre-alarm and alarm; set up and read by LDM readers.
Only DMC 2000 version reading shallow dose Hp(0.07). Same manual as DMC 2000 S. Battery about 9 months; IP53.
Worn electronic dosimeter with large backlit display, speaker, LEDs and vibrator alarms for dose and dose rate.
G2 protocol keeps it compatible with DMC 2000 readers (LDM 220/2000). AAA battery, about 9 months typical; IP67.
Connects DMC 2000 and SOR dosimeters to dosimetry software (DosiMass, Dosimed, Dosifast) for assigning, setup and readout.
RS-232 to PC; 9 V DC power supply, optional 2 AAA battery (about 10 h). Same manual as LDM 220.
Connects DMC 2000 and SOR dosimeters to dosimetry software for assigning, setup and readout over USB.
Powered by the USB port (4.15 to 5.25 V). DMC 3000 in G2 mode is compatible. Same manual as LDM 210.
Worn electronic dosimeter showing Hp(10) deep and Hp(0.07) shallow dose and dose rate with alarms.
Gamma-only variant of the Mk2 beta/gamma EPD; single AA battery. Thermo has replaced the EPD line with the EPD TruDose.
Worn electronic dosimeter for real-time dose and dose rate with built-in Bluetooth.
IP67 (G) and IP65 (BG). Successor to the EPD Mk2 line.
Reads TLD cards and extremity dosimeters for dose of record.
Processes up to 200 cards per run; optional built-in 0.5 mCi 90Sr/Y irradiator; WinREMS software.
Identifies radionuclides and estimates quantity with Genie software support.
Library of 80 nuclides, up to eight identified at once. ANSI N42.34 and IEC62327. 1.45 kg maximum.
High resolution identification of radionuclides in the field.
Library of over 175 nuclides; initial cool down about 8 hours; 6.98 kg (gamma only); IP65.
Identifies gamma nuclides from the spectrum, reads dose rate, and finds sources.
Resolution 7.0 to 7.5% at 662 keV; internal Cs-137 stabilization; 100 spectra memory.
Identifies the radionuclide behind an unknown source or alarm.
2.6 kg with NaI. IP65; tested to ANSI N42.34-2006. Original RIIDEye (2 in. NaI, 1.4 kg) was the earlier model.
Remote gamma rate probe on a cable (up to 350 ft) for tanks, filters and underwater areas; reads on a handheld meter or feeds a monitor/WRM.
Sensitivity 17 cps/mR/h (Cs-137); 70 keV to 2.0 MeV; detector waterproof to 20 m; part RTM-A007.
Remote gamma rate probe on a cable (up to 350 ft) for tanks, filters and underwater areas; reads on a handheld meter or feeds a monitor/WRM.
Sensitivity 300 cps/R/h (Cs-137); 70 keV to 2.0 MeV; detector waterproof to 20 m; part RTM-A004.
Remote gamma rate probe on a cable (up to 350 ft) for tanks, filters and underwater areas; reads on a handheld meter or feeds a monitor/WRM.
Sensitivity 77 cps/R/h (Cs-137); 70 keV to 2.0 MeV; detector waterproof to 20 m; part RTM-A005.
Clips onto a DMC 3000 to send its readings to a base station (WRM2 protocol) and add bright LED alarm indicators.
Works with WinWRM2, TeleView 2000 and TeleView 3000 software; AAA battery, over 24 hours of runtime.
Sends worker dosimeter readings and alarms by radio to a base station so HP can watch jobs remotely.
Set up with the WRM Configuration Studio software.
Measures and logs temperature and humidity at two points, with alarms, to document environmental conditions.
H model calibrated +/-0.125 C and +/-1.5% RH; S model +/-0.25 C and +/-2% RH. Stores about 400,000 readings.
Field reference standard for calibrating pressure gauges, transmitters and switches; also measures current, voltage and leaks.
HQS-1 accuracy +/-0.1% to +/-0.06% of span; HQS-2 +/-0.1% to +/-0.025%.
Checks and, if needed, adjusts the response of DMC 2000, SOR and DMC 3000 dosimeters automatically.
Dose rate outside the unit under 2.5 µSv/h at 1 m; about 69 dosimeters/h per module; weight up to 80 kg.
Powers and displays up to four Hastings flow meters, with a dial-in gas conversion factor for each channel.
3-1/2 digit LCD; 115/230 VAC; 15 VDC at +/-300 mA output to the flow instruments.
Specifications are summarized from manufacturer manuals and datasheets for study and identification; check the current documentation before relying on a value. Model names and trademarks belong to their owners. NukeWorker is not affiliated with any manufacturer. Know a model that belongs here, or see an error? Let us know.