SIGAS X5C Plus Environmental Dose Rate Meter

Overview

The SIGAS X5C Plus is a CE-marked, PTB-type-approved portable ambient dose equivalent rate meter engineered for precise, real-time measurement of ionizing radiation in occupational and environmental settings. It operates on the principle of energy-compensated Geiger-Müller (GM) detection to deliver accurate and reproducible readings of ambient dose equivalent rate Ḣ*(10) and integrated ambient dose H*(10), conforming to IEC 60846-1:2014 and DIN 6818-1 standards. Designed for field use under variable conditions—including emergency response, industrial radiography, nuclear medicine facilities, and academic laboratories—the instrument provides traceable, legally admissible dose data essential for radiation protection compliance. Its robust architecture ensures stable performance across temperature gradients (−10 °C to +50 °C) and high-humidity environments, while the IP67-rated enclosure guarantees operational integrity during decontamination, rain exposure, or dust-intensive operations.

Key Features

• Energy-compensated GM tube detector optimized for flat energy response across 50 keV–1.5 MeV photon spectra (X- and γ-rays), minimizing over-response at low energies per IEC 60846 requirements
• Backlit LCD with dual numeric display: primary linear readout (0.01 µSv to 10 Sv dose; 0 nSv/h to 19.99 mSv/h dose rate) plus logarithmic bar graph (3.5-decade scale) for rapid trend assessment
• Programmable dual-threshold alarms—separate configurable limits for instantaneous dose rate and accumulated dose—with audible pulse feedback and visual LED warning
• Time-stamped internal memory storing up to 2,000 automatic or manual readings (dose rate, dose, date, time, and probe ID if external)
• Real-time calculation and display of dose rate peak value and 10-second moving average—critical for dynamic exposure scenarios
• Residual time estimation algorithm based on current Ḣ*(10) and user-defined dose limit, supporting ALARA-based work planning
• Full menu navigation with password-protected configuration mode; all settings retained across battery replacement or power cycling
• Continuous self-diagnostic routine verifying HV supply stability, tube dead-time compensation, and sensor integrity prior to each measurement cycle

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The X5C Plus is certified by Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), Germany’s national metrology institute, validating its conformity with type approval requirements for personal and environmental dosimetry instrumentation. It meets IEC 61526 Ed. 4.0 (2013) for portable radiation protection instruments and supports regulatory alignment with EURATOM Basic Safety Standards Directive 2013/59, German Strahlenschutzverordnung (StrlSchV), and ISO 4037-3 reference radiation fields. While primarily calibrated for photons (¹³⁷Cs, ⁶⁰Co, ²⁴¹Am), optional external probes—including the SIGAS 2002 scintillation probe for low-dose-rate environments (<100 nSv/h)—extend capability to α/β contamination screening and heterogeneous field characterization. The device is routinely deployed in GLP-compliant QA/QC workflows and satisfies audit requirements for traceability documentation under ISO/IEC 17025.

Software & Data Management

Data export is facilitated via RS-232 serial interface (standard DB9 connector), enabling direct integration with SIGAS PC software or third-party laboratory information management systems (LIMS). Raw measurement logs include UTC timestamps, dose/dose rate values, measurement duration, and probe identification codes—structured for automated parsing into CSV or XML formats. Firmware supports firmware-over-the-air (FOTA) updates through authenticated USB-to-serial adapters, ensuring continued compliance with evolving calibration protocols and cybersecurity guidelines (e.g., NIST SP 800-171). Audit trails record all parameter changes, including alarm threshold modifications and calibration date entries, meeting FDA 21 CFR Part 11 electronic record requirements when used in regulated pharmaceutical or medical device manufacturing environments.

Applications

• First responder deployment in radiological emergency response (fire services, civil defense units) for rapid area classification and hot-spot mapping
• In-situ monitoring during non-destructive testing (NDT) with Ir-192 or Se-75 sources, supporting controlled access zone verification
• Personnel dosimetry support in nuclear medicine departments—especially during PET radiopharmaceutical handling and generator elution procedures
• Periodic surveying of industrial irradiators, LINAC vaults, and gamma sterilization facilities per ISO 14402 and ASTM E2627
• Teaching laboratories for hands-on instruction in radiation physics, shielding design validation, and inverse-square law verification
• Environmental baseline surveys near nuclear installations or legacy uranium mining sites under IAEA RS-G-1.8 guidance

FAQ

Is the X5C Plus suitable for measuring alpha or beta radiation directly?
No—the built-in GM tube is optimized for photons only. Alpha and beta detection requires external probes such as the SIGAS 2002 scintillation detector or pancake-type proportional counters connected via the RS-232 expansion port.
Does the instrument require annual recalibration?
Yes. PTB-type approval mandates traceable recalibration at least once per year by an accredited calibration laboratory using reference sources traceable to national standards (e.g., PTB or BIPM). Field verification checks are recommended before each shift.
Can the X5C Plus be used underwater or submerged?
It is rated IP67—fully protected against dust ingress and temporary immersion up to 1 m for 30 minutes—but not designed for prolonged submersion or pressure differentials exceeding atmospheric.
What is the minimum detectable dose rate with the internal detector?
The lower limit of detection (LLD) is 1 µSv/h for Ḣ*(10) under typical background conditions (0.08–0.12 µSv/h), corresponding to a statistical uncertainty of ≤20% at 95% confidence level over a 60-second integration period.
Is firmware upgrade supported in the field?
Yes—firmware updates are distributed as signed binary packages and installed via SIGAS-provided utility software running on Windows platforms; no hardware modification is required.