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Comparison test of electronic dosemeters.
G Butterweck1, H P Zimmerli, C Wernli
1Paul Scherrer Institut, CH-5232 Villigen PSI, Switzerland. Gernot.Butterweck@psi.ch
Radiation Protection Dosimetry
|October 6, 2001
Summary
Electronic dosemeters were tested for reliability. While reproducible at standard doses, some failed at high dose rates or with low-energy photons, and two types broke after a 2m drop.
Area of Science:
- Medical Physics
- Radiation Detection and Measurement
Background:
- Electronic dosemeters are crucial for radiation safety monitoring.
- Standardized testing ensures reliable performance in diverse conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the performance and reliability of electronic dosemeters for the Swiss Federal Office for Civil Protection.
- To compare dosemeter performance against international standards (IEC 61526) and tendering specifications (WTO).
Main Methods:
- Testing 11 types of electronic dosemeters from 10 manufacturers.
- Assessing reproducibility, response to environmental radiation, high dose rates, and low-energy photons.
- Conducting extended tests including drop and temperature resilience.
Main Results:
- All dosemeters showed adequate reproducibility for 0.1 mSv (137Cs).
- Significant variations in response to environmental radiation and high dose rates (10 Sv/h) were observed.
- Only two types performed satisfactorily with low-energy photons; two types failed after a 2m drop test.
Conclusions:
- While some electronic dosemeters meet basic requirements, significant performance gaps exist for environmental monitoring and extreme conditions.
- Further selection and testing are needed to identify robust dosemeters suitable for diverse radiation protection applications.