Description
The DURRIDGE RAD7 is a truly versatile radon and thoron detector used by research scientists and professionals worldwide. Its mature and yet still state-of-the-art design match or exceed those of the most expensive radon measurement devices in the world. At the same time, it incorporates a number of exclusive features that are found in no other radon detector, regardless of price. Incredibly, the RAD7 is affordable.
The RAD7 is a sophisticated measuring instrument widely used in laboratories and research work around the globe. It is used by professional radon testers, mitigators and home inspectors, as well as by research scientists studying groundwater, mines, deserts, the ocean and volcanoes at extreme temperature. A rugged carrying case encloses the instrument, ensuring reliability in the field.
The RAD7 is the easiest electronic radon detector to use, with preprogrammed setups for common tasks. The instrument comes complete with a built-in air pump, rechargeable batteries, and a detachable wireless printer. The RAD7 can store large amounts of radon data for later printing and/or for graphing and analysis on a computer using DURRIDGE’s powerful and free CAPTURE software.
The RAD7 is a Sniffer that detects the 3-minute alpha decay of a radon daughter, without interference from other radiations. It also detects the instantaneous alpha decay of a thoron daughter for rapid thoron measurements. The instrument can sniff for entry points and radon gushers, and it recovers from high radon exposures in minutes. The RAD7 is also a Continuous Radon Monitor which can measure the EPA action level of 4 pCi/L, with 10% standard deviation, in under two hours. At the end of each run, the detector prints out a complete report.
The included accessories are sufficient for the measurement of radon and thoron in air. Additional, optional accessories are available for the measurement of radon in soil gas and water, for the measurement of the emission of radon from surfaces, objects and bulk materials, and for other specialized applications. See the Products Overview page for details.
RAD7 Specifications (pdf format in english)
RAD7 Manual (pdf format in english)
RAD7 Battery MSDS (pdf format in english)
CAPTURE software for Windows and macOS
Stored RAD7 data may be downloaded to a computer using a USB or serial connection. DURRIDGE offers a dedicated RAD7 communications software package called CAPTURE, which automatically transfers RAD7 data to disk, displays radon graphs, and produces a variety of supplementary information. CAPTURE can also monitor a RAD7 in real time with its Chart Recorder.
For situations where the RAD7 can not be directly connected to a computer, DURRIDGE offers the Parani SD1000 Serial to Bluetooth Adaptor. This adaptor offers a 100 meter wireless range, and it comes pre-configured for plug and play compatibility with the RAD7 and CAPTURE. An optional 16 hour battery allows the adaptor to be used even in the absence of a reliable power source.
The RAD7 is remarkably easy to use. When you turn it on you will see current settings listed on the LCD display. This allows you to check that the instrument is configured as needed for your intended use. Presets are available for 1-day and 2-day tests, and you can also establish a custom preset for your particular job. When you arrive at the testing site just select a preset and the RAD7 will start collecting data immediately.
An exclusive RAD7 feature is the ability to automatically switch between “Sniff” and “Normal” modes. The instrument starts in “Sniff” mode, providing a quick response, base-line reading. After 3 hours enough radon progeny will have accumulated on the detector for the RAD7 to be able to switch to “Normal” mode, providing higher statistical precision.
Once started, the RAD7 can be “locked” to prevent it from being tampered with until you return. When the RAD7 is locked it will become unresponsive to user input, but the radon test in progress will continue without interruption.
The RAD7 is capable of making a direct and specific measurement of thoron, which is a short-lived isotope of radon. Testing for thoron is a great way to identify the points at which radon is entering a building, because the thoron is localized to those entry points. The RAD7’s response to thoron is virtually instantaneous, and compared to other instruments the RAD7 is much less susceptible to radon-thoron interference, thanks to its ability to distinguish the isotopes by their unique alpha particle energies. See Section 4.5 of the RAD7 Manual.
RAD7 Specifications
| Modes of Operation |
|
| Measurements |
|
| Data Storage | 1,000 records, each with 23 fields of data Log of printer output also stored |
| Sample Pumping | Built-in pump draws sample from chosen sampling point Flow rate typically 800 mL/min |
| Print Output | Short, Medium, or Long format data printed after each cycle Run summary printed at end of run, including averages and spectrum |
| PC Connectivity | RS232 serial port, full remote control implemented in CAPTURE Software. Optional serial to Bluetooth adaptor for wireless PC connectivity. |
| Audio Output |
|
| Tamper Resistance | TEST LOCK command locks keypad to secure against tampering |
| Principle of Operation | Electrostatic collection of alpha-emitters with spectral analysis Passivated Ion-implanted Planar Silicon detector SNIFF mode counts polonium-218 decays NORMAL mode counts both polonium 218 and polonium 214 decays |
| Built-In Air Pump | Nominal 1 liter/minute flow rate Inlet and outlet Luer connectors |
| Connectivity | RS-232 port up to 19,200 baud rate USB adaptor is included with every RAD7 |
| Measurement Accuracy | +/-5% absolute accuracy, 0% – 100% RH |
| Nominal Sensitivity | SNIFF mode, 0.25 cpm/(pCi/L), 0.0067 cpm/(Bq/m3) NORMAL mode, 0.5 cpm/(pCi/L), 0.013 cpm/(Bq/m3) |
| Radon Concentration Range | 0.1 – 20,000 pCi/L (4 – 750,000 Bq/m3) |
| Intrinsic Background | 0.005 pCi/L (0.2 Bq/m3) or less, for the life of the instrument |
| Recovery Time | Residual activity in Sniff mode drops by factor of 1,000 in 30 minutes |
| Operating Ranges | Temperature: 32° – 113°F (0° – 45° C) Humidity: 0% – 100%, non-condensing |
| Cycle Range | User controllable number of cycles, from 1 to 99 to unlimited, per run User controllable cycle time, from 2 minutes to 24 hours |
| CAPTURE Software |
|
| RAD7 Dimensions | 11.5″ x 8.5″ x 11″ (29.5 cm x 21.5 cm x 27.9 cm) |
| RAD7 Weight | 9.6 pounds (4.35 kg) |
| Shipping Dimensions | 17″ x 17″ x 17″ (43 cm x 43 cm x 43 cm) |
| Shipping Weight | 33 pounds (15 kg) |
| LCD Display Output | 2 line x 16 character alpha-numeric display |
| Case Material | High density polyethylene |
| Infrared Printer | Omniprint OM1000 Wireless Infrared Printer included |
| Power Supply | 11-15V DC (12V nominal) @ 1.25A, center pin positive, or included internal EnerSys sealed lead acid rechargeable battery pack (6V nominal, 30Wh, 5Ah) See RAD7 Battery Material Safety Data Sheet (PDF) |
| Battery Longevity | 24 hours in SNIFF mode; 72 hours in Monitor mode |
Getting Started: Running a 1-Day Test with the RAD7
Optional Accessories
RAD H2O
Radon in water sampling for the RAD7
RAD AQUA
Continuous radon in water monitoring for the RAD7
Big Bottle System
High sensitivity radon in water sampling for the RAD7
Water Probe
For radon sampling from large bodies of water
DRYSTIK
Active moisture exchanger to reduce the humidity of the air entering the RAD7
Soil Gas Probes
Extract radon gas samples from underground, without exposing them to the outside air
Emission Chambers
Extract radon gas samples from underground, without exposing them to the outside air
Natural Rock Sample
Sealed granite sample providing rock-steady emissions of radon and thoron, for testing RAD7 performance
FIDOtrack: FIDOtrack è il sistema di misura della concentrazione di Radon per il medio e lungo periodo. Semplice da usare, ricevi i rivelatori, li posizioni, al termine del periodo di esposizione ce li rimandi e ricevi via e-mail un certificato ufficiale con l’esito delle misure. Niton è risultato uno dei migliori laboratori europei nella prova di Interconfronto 2019 organizzato dall’Istituto Tedesco Bfs, con i propri rivelatori FIDOtrack.
