EN IEC 62401:2019

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-december-2019
Instrumenti za zaščito pred sevanjem - Alarmni osebni detektorji sevanja za
odkrivanje nedovoljenega prometa z radioaktivnimi snovmi (IEC 62401:2017)
Radiation protection instrumentation - Alarming personal radiation devices (PRDs) for the
detection of illicit trafficking of radioactive material (IEC 62401:2017)
Instrumentation pour la radioprotection - Dispositifs individuels dalarme aux
rayonnements pour la détection du trafic illicite des matières radioactives (IEC
62401:2017)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN IEC 62401:2019
ICS:
13.280 Varstvo pred sevanjem Radiation protection
13.320 Alarmni in opozorilni sistemi Alarm and warning systems
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD EN IEC 62401

NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
October 2019
ICS 13.280
English Version
Radiation protection instrumentation - Alarming personal
radiation devices (PRDs) for the detection of illicit trafficking of
radioactive material
(IEC 62401:2017)
Instrumentation pour la radioprotection - Dispositifs To be completed
individuels d¿alarme aux rayonnements pour la détection (IEC 62401:2017)
du trafic illicite des matières radioactives
(IEC 62401:2017)
This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2019-10-07. CENELEC members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC
Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration.
Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC
Management Centre or to any CENELEC member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation
under the responsibility of a CENELEC member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the
same status as the official versions.
CENELEC members are the national electrotechnical committees of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic,
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the
Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Turkey and the United Kingdom.

European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
Europäisches Komitee für Elektrotechnische Normung
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2019 CENELEC All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC Members.
Ref. No. EN IEC 62401:2019 E
European foreword
The text of document 45B/881/FDIS, future edition 2 of IEC 62401, prepared by SC 45B "Radiation
protection instrumentation" of IEC/TC 45 "Nuclear instrumentation" was submitted to the IEC-
CENELEC parallel vote and approved by CENELEC as EN IEC 62401:2019.
The following dates are fixed:
• latest date by which the document has to be implemented at national (dop) 2020-07-07
level by publication of an identical national standard or by endorsement
• latest date by which the national standards conflicting with the (dow) 2022-10-07
document have to be withdrawn
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CENELEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.

Endorsement notice
The text of the International Standard IEC 62401:2017 was approved by CENELEC as a European
Standard without any modification.

In the official version, for Bibliography, the following notes have to be added for the standards
indicated:
IEC 60079-11 NOTE Harmonized as EN 60079-11
IEC 60846-1 NOTE Harmonized as EN 60846-1
IEC 61526 NOTE Harmonized as EN 61526
IEC 62327 NOTE Harmonized as EN 62327

Annex ZA
(normative)
Normative references to international publications
with their corresponding European publications
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments)
applies.
NOTE 1  Where an International Publication has been modified by common modifications, indicated by (mod), the relevant
EN/HD applies.
NOTE 2  Up-to-date information on the latest versions of the European Standards listed in this annex is available here:
www.cenelec.eu.
Publication Year Title EN/HD Year
IEC 60050-395 -  International Electrotechnical Vocabulary - - -
Part 395: Nuclear instrumentation: Physical
phenomena, basic concepts, instruments,
systems, equipment and detectors
IEC 60068-2-11 -  Basic environmental testing procedures - EN 60068-2-11 -
Part 2-11: Tests - Test Ka: Salt mist
IEC 62706 2012 Radiation protection instrumentation - - -
Environmental, electromagnetic and
mechanical performance requirements
IEC 62755 -  Radiation protection instrumentation - Data - -
format for radiation instruments used in the
detection of illicit trafficking of radioactive
materials
IEC 62401 ®
Edition 2.0 2017-12
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
Radiation protection instrumentation – Alarming personal radiation devices

(PRDs) for the detection of illicit trafficking of radioactive material

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
ICS 13.280 ISBN 978-2-8322-5183-6

– 2 – IEC 62401:2017 © IEC 2017
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 4
INTRODUCTION . 6
1 Scope . 7
2 Normative references . 7
3 Terms and definitions, abbreviated terms and symbols, quantities and units . 7
3.1 Terms and definitions . 7
3.2 Abbreviated terms and symbols . 10
3.3 Quantities and units . 10
4 General characteristics and requirements . 10
4.1 General . 10
4.2 Mechanical requirements . 11
4.2.1 Size . 11
4.2.2 Mass . 11
4.2.3 Alarm characteristics . 11
4.2.4 Case construction . 11
4.2.5 Reference point marking . 11
4.2.6 Switches . 11
4.3 Data format . 12
4.4 Explosive atmospheres . 12
5 General test procedures . 12
5.1 Nature of tests . 12
5.2 Statistical fluctuations . 13
5.3 General test information . 13
5.4 Instrument setup . 13
5.5 Speed of moving sources . 13
5.6 Functionality test . 14
5.6.1 General . 14
5.6.2 Pre-test (preparation) . 14
5.6.3 Post-test . 14
6 Radiation detection requirements . 15
6.1 Rate of false alarms . 15
6.1.1 Requirements . 15
6.1.2 Method of test. 15
6.2 Gamma alarm . 15
6.2.1 Requirements . 15
6.2.2 Method of test. 15
6.3 Personal protection alarm . 16
6.3.1 Requirements . 16
6.3.2 Method of test. 16
6.4 Relative intrinsic error . 16
6.4.1 Requirements . 16
6.4.2 Method of test. 16
6.5 Detection of gradually increasing radiation levels . 16
6.5.1 Requirements . 16
6.5.2 Method of test. 16
6.6 Over-range . 17

IEC 62401:2017 © IEC 2017 – 3 –
6.6.1 Requirements . 17
6.6.2 Method of test. 17
6.7 Detection of neutrons (if provided) . 17
6.7.1 Requirements . 17
6.7.2 Method of test. 17
6.8 Gamma response of neutron detector (if provided) . 18
6.8.1 Requirements . 18
6.8.2 Method of test. 18
7 Environmental requirements . 18
7.1 Ambient temperature. 18
7.1.1 Requirements . 18
7.1.2 Method of test. 18
7.2 Relative humidity . 18
7.2.1 Requirements . 18
7.2.2 Method of test. 19
7.3 Moisture and dust protection . 19
7.3.1 Requirements . 19
7.3.2 Method of test. 19
8 Mechanical requirements . 19
8.1 Drop test . 19
8.1.1 Requirements . 19
8.1.2 Method of test. 19
8.2 Vibration test . 20
8.2.1 Requirements . 20
8.2.2 Method of test. 20
9 Electric and electromagnetic requirements . 20
9.1 Battery lifetime . 20
9.1.1 Requirements . 20
9.1.2 Method of test. 20
9.2 Electrostatic discharge, radiofrequency immunity, radiated emissions and
magnetic fields . 20
9.2.1 Requirements . 20
9.2.2 Method of test. 21
10 Documentation . 21
10.1 Type test report . 21
10.2 Certificate . 21
10.3 Operation and maintenance manuals . 22
Annex A (informative) Summary of performance requirements . 23
Bibliography . 25

Table 1 – IEC standards concerning instruments for the detection of illicit trafficking of
radioactive material . 6
Table 2 – Standard test conditions . 12
Table A.1 – Summary of the most important performance requirements . 24

– 4 – IEC 62401:2017 © IEC 2017
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
RADIATION PROTECTION INSTRUMENTATION – ALARMING PERSONAL
RADIATION DEVICES (PRDs) FOR THE DETECTION OF ILLICIT
TRAFFICKING OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL

FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote
international co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To
this end and in addition to other activities, IEC publishes International Standards, Technical Specifications,
Technical Reports, Publicly Available Specifications (PAS) and Guides (hereafter referred to as “IEC
Publication(s)”). Their preparation is entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National Committee interested
in the subject dealt with may participate in this preparatory work. International, governmental and
non-governmental organizations liaising with the IEC also participate in this preparation. IEC collaborates
closely with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in accordance with conditions determined
by agreement between the two organizations.
2) The formal decisions or agreements of IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an international
consensus of opinion on the relevant subjects since each technical committee has representation from all
interested IEC National Committees.
3) IEC Publications have the form of recommendations for international use and are accepted by IEC National
Committees in that sense. While all reasonable efforts are made to ensure that the technical content of IEC
Publications is accurate, IEC cannot be held responsible for the way in which they are used or for any
misinterpretation by any end user.
4) In order to promote international uniformity, IEC National Committees undertake to apply IEC Publications
transparently to the maximum extent possible in their national and regional publications. Any divergence
between any IEC Publication and the corresponding national or regional publication shall be clearly indicated in
the latter.
5) IEC itself does not provide any attestation of conformity. Independent certification bodies provide conformity
assessment services and, in some areas, access to IEC marks of conformity. IEC is not responsible for any
services carried out by independent certification bodies.
6) All users should ensure that they have the latest edition of this publication.
7) No liability shall attach to IEC or its directors, employees, servants or agents including individual experts and
members of its technical committees and IEC National Committees for any personal injury, property damage or
other damage of any nature whatsoever, whether direct or indirect, or for costs (including legal fees) and
expenses arising out of the publication, use of, or reliance upon, this IEC Publication or any other IEC
Publications.
8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is
indispensable for the correct application of this publication.
9) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this IEC Publication may be the subject of
patent rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
International Standard IEC 62401 has been prepared by subcommittee 45B: Radiation
protection instrumentation, of IEC technical committee 45: Nuclear instrumentation.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition of IEC 62401, issued in 2007. It
constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition:
a) making the standard consistent with the new standards for detection of illicit trafficking of
radioactive material (see the Introduction);
b) changing some requirements:
– removal of the 2 levels of background levels (high and low) needed for the different
tests. Only one background level (laboratory) remains,
– the gamma alarm is tested using moving sources and not statically (6.2),

IEC 62401:2017 © IEC 2017 – 5 –
– relative intrinsic error,
– over-range,
– detection of neutrons;
c) creating a uniform functionality test for all environmental, electromagnetic and mechanical
tests and a requirement for the coefficient of variation of each nominal mean reading;
d) reference to IEC 62706 for the environmental, electromagnetic and mechanical test
conditions.
The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
45B/881/FDIS 45B/888/RVD
Full information on the voting for the approval of this International Standard can be found in
the report on voting indicated in the above table.
This document has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The committee has decided that the contents of this document will remain unchanged until the
stability date indicated on the IEC website under "http://webstore.iec.ch" in the data related to
the specific document. At this date, the document will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn,
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.
A bilingual version of this publication may be issued at a later date.

– 6 – IEC 62401:2017 © IEC 2017
INTRODUCTION
Illicit and inadvertent movement of radioactive materials has become a problem of increasing
importance. Radioactive sources out of regulatory control, so-called “orphan sources”, have
frequently caused serious radiation exposures and widespread contamination. Although illicit
trafficking in nuclear and other radioactive materials is not a new phenomenon, concern about
a nuclear “black market” has increased in the last few years, particularly in view of its terrorist
potential.
In response to the technical policy of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the
World Customs Organization (WCO) and the International Criminal Police Organization
(Interpol) related to the detection and identification of special nuclear materials and security
trends, nuclear instrumentation companies are developing and manufacturing radiation
instrumentation to assist in the detection of illicit movement of radioactive and special nuclear
materials. This type of instrumentation is widely used for security purposes at nuclear
facilities, border control checkpoints, and international seaports and airports.
However, to ensure that measurement results made at different locations are consistent, it is
imperative that radiation instrumentation be designed to rigorous specifications based upon
agreed performance requirements stated in international standards. Several IEC standards
have been developed to address body-worn, hand-held and portal instruments, see Table 1.
Table 1 – IEC standards concerning instruments for the detection
of illicit trafficking of radioactive material
Type of IEC
Title of the standard
instrumentation number
Radiation protection instrumentation – Alarming Personal Radiation Devices
(PRDs) for the detection of illicit trafficking of radioactive material
Radiation protection instrumentation – Spectroscopy-Based Alarming Personal
Body-worn 62618
Radiation Devices (SPRD) for detection of illicit trafficking of radioactive material
Radiation protection instrumentation – Backpack-type radiation detector (BRD) for
detection of illicit trafficking of radioactive material
Radiation protection instrumentation – Hand-held instruments for the detection and
identification of radionuclides and for the estimation of ambient dose equivalent
rate from photon radiation
Portable or
Radiation protection instrumentation – Highly sensitive hand-held instruments for
hand-held
photon detection of radioactive material
Radiation protection instrumentation – Highly sensitive hand-held instruments for
neutron detection of radioactive material
Radiation protection instrumentation – Installed radiation portal monitors (RPMs)
for the detection of illicit trafficking of radioactive and nuclear materials
Portal
Radiation protection instrumentation – Spectroscopy-based portal monitors used
for the detection and identification of illicit trafficking of radioactive material
Radiation protection instrumentation – Data format for radiation instruments used
Data format 62755
in the detection of illicit trafficking of radioactive materials

IEC 62401:2017 © IEC 2017 – 7 –
RADIATION PROTECTION INSTRUMENTATION – ALARMING PERSONAL
RADIATION DEVICES (PRDs) FOR THE DETECTION OF ILLICIT
TRAFFICKING OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL

1 Scope
This document applies to alarming radiation detection instruments that are pocket-sized,
carried on the body and used to detect and indicate the presence and general magnitude of
gamma radiation fields. Neutron detection may also be provided.
Personal Radiation Devices (PRDs) alert the user to the presence of a source of radiation that
is distinctly above the measured average local background radiation level. They are not
intended to provide a measurement of the ambient or personal dose equivalent rate.
The object of this document is to describe design and functional criteria along with testing
methods for evaluating the performance of the PRDs used for detection of illicit trafficking of
radioactive material (e. g., for border radiation monitoring).
This document does not apply to the ambient or personal dose equivalent rate meters which
are covered in IEC 60846-1 or IEC 61526, respectively. If the manufacturer states that the
PRD can be used for radiation protection purposes, compliance with IEC 60846-1 or
IEC 61526 will be needed.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their
content constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition
cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including
any amendments) applies.
IEC 60050-395, International Electrotechnical Vocabulary – Part 395: Nuclear
instrumentation: Physical phenomena, basic concepts, instruments, systems, equipment and
detectors
IEC 60068-2-11, Basic environmental testing procedures – Part 2-11: Tests – Test Ka: Salt
mist
IEC 62706:2012, Radiation protection instrumentation – Environmental, electromagnetic and
mechanical performance requirements
IEC 62755, Radiation protection instrumentation – Data format for radiation instruments used
in the detection of illicit trafficking of radioactive materials
3 Terms and definitions, abbreviated terms and symbols, quantities and units
3.1 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in IEC 60050-395, as well
as the following, apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following
addresses:
– 8 – IEC 62401:2017 © IEC 2017
• IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.electropedia.org/
• ISO Online browsing platform: available at http://www.iso.org/obp
3.1.1
A-weighted sound level
frequency weighting of an acoustic spectrum according to a standardized frequency response
curve based on the frequency response of the human ear
3.1.2
accuracy
quality which characterizes the ability of a measuring instrument to provide an indicated value
close to a true value of the measurand
3.1.3
alarm
audible, visual, or other signal activated when the instrument reading exceeds a pre-set value
or falls outside of a pre-set range
3.1.4
background
radiation field in which there are no external sources present other than those in the natural
radiation field at the location of the measurements
3.1.5
coefficient of variation
COV
ratio of the standard deviation s to the arithmetic mean of a set of n measurements x given
i
by the following formula:
3.1.6
conventionally true value of a quantity
best estimate of the value of a quantity used for a given purpose
3.1.7
effective range of measurement
range of values of the quantity to be measured over which the performance of a device meets
the requirements of this document
3.1.8
false alarm
alarm not caused by a radioactive source under the specified background conditions
3.1.9
fluence
quotient of dN by da, where dN is the number of particles incident on a sphere of
–2
cross-sectional area da (unit: m )
3.1.10
fluence rate
quotient of dΦ by dt, where dΦ is the increment of the fluence in the time interval dt
–2 –1
(unit: m ∙s )
IEC 62401:2017 © IEC 2017 – 9 –
3.1.11
point of measurement
place at which the conventionally true value is determined
3.1.12
reference point
defined position on instrument to be used to position it at a point where the conventionally
true value of the quantity to be measured is known
3.1.13
relative intrinsic error
ε
REL
difference between the instrument’s reading, M, and the conventionally true value, CTV, of the
quantity being measured divided by the conventionally true value when subjected to a
specified reference quantity under specified reference conditions
M− CTV
ε =
REL
CTV
3.1.14
response
reading or indication of the PRD
3.1.15
standard deviation
positive square root of the variance
3.1.16
standard test conditions
prescribed range for influence quantities to be used during testing of a measuring instrument
3.1.17
type test
test for conformity evaluation on the basis of one or more specimens of a product
representative of the production
3.1.18
routine test
test to which an individual device is subjected during or after manufacture to ascertain
whether it complies with certain criteria
3.1.19
acceptance test
contractual test to prove to the customer that the device meets certain conditions of its
specification
3.1.20
uncertainty
parameter, associated with the result of a measurement, that characterizes the dispersion of
the values that could reasonably be attributed to the measurand
Note 1 to entry: Uncertainty of measurement comprises, in general, many components. Some of these
components may be evaluated from statistical distribution of the results of series of measurements and can be
characterized by experimental standard deviations. The other components, which can also be characterized by
experimental standard deviations, are evaluated from assumed probability distributions based on experience or
other information.
– 10 – IEC 62401:2017 © IEC 2017
Note 2 to entry: It is understood that the result of the measurement is the best estimate of the value of the
measurand and that all components of uncertainty, including those arising from systematic effects, such as
components associated with corrections and reference standards, contribute to the dispersion.
3.1.21
variance
σ
measure of dispersion, which is the sum of the squared deviation of observations x from their
i
mean x divided by one less than the number of observations n
n
2 2
σ = (x − x)
∑
i
n− 1
i=1
3.2 Abbreviated terms and symbols
COV coefficient of variation
EMC Electromagnetic Compatibility
ESD electrostatic discharge
IP  degree of ingress protection
LED light-emitting diode
PRD personal radiation device
RF radio frequency
3.3 Quantities and units
In the present document, units of the International System (SI) are used . The definitions of
radiation quantities are given in IEC 60050-395.
Nevertheless, the following units may also be used:
–19
– for energy: electron-volt (symbol: eV), 1 eV = 1,602 × 10 J;
– for time: hours (symbol: h) and minutes (symbol: min).
Multiples and submultiples of SI units will be used, when practicable, according to the SI
system.
4 General characteristics and requirements
4.1 General
PRDs tested using this document are carried on the body and are used to detect and indicate
–1
the presence and general magnitude of the gamma radiation fields (e.g., µSv∙h , counts per
second, numerical display without units (1-9), LEDs). PRDs are not intended to provide a
measurement of the ambient or personal dose equivalent rate. However, the manufacturer
may provide an optional display of the ambient or personal dose equivalent rate from gamma
radiation.
The following are important design features:
– quickly alert the user to small increases of radiation levels with a low occurrence of false
alarms;
– simple to use for personnel not expert in radiation measurements;
____________
International Bureau of Weights and Measures: The international System of Units (SI), 8th edition, 2014.

IEC 62401:2017 © IEC 2017 – 11 –
– separate gamma and neutron radiation alarms (if neutron response is provided), with
visual and audible alerts;
– audible and/or visual indication that corresponds to the magnitude of the radiation field
(e.g., increasing frequency or pitch of beep tone with increasing radiation signal);
– the visual display is readable in low light levels (< 150 lx) and high light levels
(>10 000 lx);
– small, rugged, shock-resistant, water-resistant and dust resistant;
– protection of the setting of all operational parameters;
– self-diagnostic capabilities (e.g., detector fault);
– indication of battery status;
– vibration alarm and/or earphone with user-adjustable volume;
– personal protection alarm with pre-settable level;
– the operating parameters and the recorded data are not lost if there is a loss of power.
4.2 Mechanical requirements
4.2.1 Size
The overall dimensions of the PRD, excluding any clip, retaining device or external alarm,
should not exceed 15 cm in length, 10 cm in width and 5 cm in thickness.
4.2.2 Mass
The mass of the complete instrument including battery, clip, etc., should not exceed 400 g.
4.2.3 Alarm characteristics
a) Indicator – The PRD shall alert the user when an alarm occurs (e.g., visual indicator that
enables the operator to view without removal of the device from its wearing position,
vibration alarm intensity that can be sensed by the user, etc.).
b) Alarm type – The PRD shall have audible, visual and vibratory alarms. The frequency of
an audible alarm should be within the range of 1 kHz to 4 kHz. Where an intermittent
alarm is provided, the signal interval shall not exceed 2 s. The alarm volume at a distance
of 30 cm from the alarm source shall be at least 85 dB(A). The A-weighted sound level
shall not exceed 100 dB(A) at 30 cm from the alarm source. If the PRD provides neutron
detection, the neutron alarm shall be different from the gamma alarm.
c) The personal protection alarm shall be distinguishable from the other alarms.
d) The PRD audible and vibratory alarms shall be capable of being acknowledged and
silenced by the PRD user.
4.2.4 Case construction
The PRD case should be smooth, rigid, resistant to mechanical shock, dust-resistant and
water-resistant. Means shall be provided to securely affix the instrument to the user (for
example, a clip, holster or ring), with attention given to the necessary orientation of the
detector, alarm type and display. See 7.3 for the IP classification.
4.2.5 Reference point marking
The reference point of the PRD shall be marked or described in the manual.
4.2.6 Switches
External switches shall be adequately protected to prevent accidental or unauthorized
operation.
– 12 – IEC 62401:2017 © IEC 2017
4.3 Data format
If the PRD is capable of transferring data, the data format should meet the IEC 62755
requirements. As a minimum the data shall contain the following information:
– manufacturer name;
– instrument model;
– serial number;
– software version;
– gamma detector kind (e.g., CsI(Tl), NaI(Tl));
– date and time of measurement;
– measured radiation levels (e.g., count rate, dose rate, unit-less level);
– gamma-ray alarm indication;
– personal protection alarm.
If the PRD is equipped with a neutron detector, in addition the data shall contain the following
information:
– neutron detector kind (e.g., He, Lithium Glass, BF );
– neutron level (e.g., count rate);
– neutron alarm indication.
The data transfer protocol shall be fully described by the manufacturer. Consideration should
be given to data security when using wireless data transfer techniques.
4.4 Explosive atmospheres
The manufacturer shall state whether or not the PRD is certified for use in explosive
atmospheres and its category. Proof of certification shall be provided when claimed.
Certification should be based on IEC 60079-11 or equivalent standard (e.g. UL-913).
5 General test procedures
5.1 Nature of tests
The required standard test conditions for environmental quantities, such as temperature and
humidity, as well as those for other quantities that may influence the performance of the
PRDs, are given in Table 2. Acceptable testing ranges for these quantities shall be met,
except where the effect of the condition or quantity itself is being tested.
Table 2 – Standard test conditions
Standard test conditions
Influence quantities
(unless otherwise indicated by the manufacturer)
a
Ambient temperature 18 °C to 25 °C
a
Relative humidity ≤ 75 %
a
Atmospheric pressure 96 kPa to 106 kPa
–1
Gamma radiation background Less than ambient dose equivalent rate of 0,15 µSv∙h
–1 –2
Neutron radiation background Neutron fluence rate less than 200 s ∙m
a
The values are intended for tests performed in temperate climates. In other climates, the actual values of the
quantities at the time of test shall be stated. Similarly, a lower limit of pressure of 70 kPa may be permitted at
higher altitudes.
IEC 62401:2017 © IEC 2017 – 13 –
The tests in this document are to be considered as type tests, unless otherwise stated. The
user may employ parts of the document as acceptance tests.
All tests using this document shall be performed in the configuration of intended use.
Functional settings used by the PRD shall not be changed during the different tests if this is
not specified in the corresponding method of test.
Where no method of test is described for a requirement, it is understood to mean that either
the information for the method of test is contained in the requirement or the characteristic
requirement can be verified by observation or by consultation of the manufacturer’s
specifications.
5.2 Statistical fluctuations
When performing environmental, electromagnetic or mechanical tests, the coefficient of
variation (COV) of the readings shall be less than or equal to 12 %. If the COV is larger than
12 %, then the radiation field or the number of readings should be increased to ensure that
the mean value of such readings may be estimated with sufficient accuracy to demonstrate
compliance with the test in question.
For neutron or gamma background measurements, attaining a COV to meet this requirement
may not be possible. Therefore, testing with neutrons or gammas at background levels
(i.e., testing without radioactive source present) may be performed even when the COV is
larger than 12 %.
The requirement concerning the COV does not apply for the PRDs with unit-less display.
5.3 General test information
The reference point of the PRD shall be placed at the point of measurement. The instrument
shall be oriented with respect to the direction of the radiation field as indicated by the
manufacturer.
241 137 60
The following radionuclides shall be used for gamma testing: Am, Cs and Co. For
neutrons, the test source shall be Cf moderated by being surrounded by a spherical shell
with 4 cm wall thickness of high density polyethylene or equivalent moderator and inner cavity
diameter of not more than 3 cm.
When performing the radiation tests in Clause 6, the PRD shall be mounted on the centre of a
phantom to simulate the human torso. The phantom shall be made of polymethyl methacrylate
(PMMA).The phantom dimensions shall be 30 cm wide, 30 cm high and 15 cm thick. The
reference point of the PRD shall be placed at a height of at least 1 m from the floor.
5.4 Instrument setup
The PRD to be tested shall be placed under standard test conditions, switched on, set up
following instructions from the manufacturer, and allowed a stabilisation and background
detection period specified by the manufacturer’s recommendations. The entire process from
the time the PRD is turned on until it is ready for normal operation should not exceed 1 min.
5.5 Speed of moving sources
For dynamic tests, the source or PRD shall be moved in a configuration that provides no
shielding around the source other than that required for the specific test. The source speed
–1
shall be 1,2 m∙s ±10 % (average walking speed). The nominal distance of closest approach
d = 1,5 m, unless otherwise required in a test. If the distance of closest approach, d
(expressed in m), is adjusted in order to maintain the same ambient dose equivalent rate at
–1
the reference point of the PRD then the passage speed, v (expressed in m∙s ), shall be
adjusted to:
– 14 – IEC 62401:2017 © IEC 2017
v = v × d/d
0 0
where
–1
v = 1,2 m∙s , and
d = 1,5 m.
It is recommended that the testing distance of closest approach is kept between 1 m and 3 m.
During the dynamic tests, there shall be a 10 s minimum delay between each trial with the
source either positioned at a distance where it does not affect the background surrounding the
PRD or shielded during the delay.
5.6 Functionality test
5.6.1 General
The functionality test consists of comparing the PRD functionality before (pre-test) and during
or after (post-test) an environmental, mechanical or electromagnetic disturbance described in
Clauses 7, 8 and 9.
5.6.2 Pre-test (preparation)
The pre-test or preparation includes the stabilisation of the PRD in normal test conditions and
–1
verification of its correct functioning (alarming at an increase of at least 0,5 µSv∙h over the
ambient background level of radiation). Then, the radiation field should be set using a gamma
source in order to obtain a COV of the readings less than or equal to 12 % (see 5.2). Record
at least 10 gamma indications (if provided). Calculate the mean value of the PRD gamma
r
...