WWW. .

COM

MAX-4000 Electrometer
REF 90015

! See Software package for installation CD-ROM

STANDARD IMAGING, INC. TEL 800.261.4446

7601 Murphy Drive TEL 608.831.0025
Middleton, WI 53562-2532 FAX 608.831.2202
R

Feb / 2005 ©2005 Standard Imaging, Inc.

DOC #80206-16
General Precautions

WARNING: Warnings and Cautions alert users to

! An electrical shock hazard dangerous conditions that can occur
of up to 300 VDC is possible if instructions in the manual are not
obeyed. Warnings are conditions that
whenever the bias voltage is
can cause injury to the operator, while
active. Always set the bias to Cautions can cause damage to the
the 0% or 0 VDC level when- equipment.
ever a device is connected
to or disconnected from the
MAX-4000. CAUTION:
! ADCL calibration is provided
in the rate and/or charge
CAUTION: modes only and is only valid
! Input voltage on triax con- for these modes. The thresh-
nector should be no greater old mode is not used during
than +5 V or -5 V. ADCL calibration, as pre-
start and post-stop currents
are not measured. These
CAUTION: currents become part of the
! Do not connect RS-232 serial signal and therefore would
port to the telephone line. not be accounted for in the
This port is for connection to calibration.
equipment where no risk of
external voltage exists. CAUTION:
! When connecting or discon-
necting an ionization cham-
CAUTION: ber to the MAX-4000, set the
! This device should never bias voltage to 0% (0 VDC).
be submerged in water or a
solvent to clean, or scrubbed
with an abrasive cleaner. Do
not drop or mishandle unit.
Calibration factor changes
may result.

CAUTION:
! Do not disassemble unit
since it may result in change
of calibration factor. Refer
servicing to qualified indi-
viduals.

2
Table of Contents

PAGE
2 General Precautions
3 General Operation
4 Front Panel
4 Rear Panel
5 Setting up the MAX-4000
7 Using the MAX-4000
9 MAX COMM Software
9 Maintenance
10 Troubleshooting
10 Parts and Accessories List
11 Features and Specifications
15 Service Policy 7601 MURPHY DRIVE
MIDDLETON, WI 53562-2532 USA
15 Customer Responsibility WWW.STANDARDIMAGING.COM
16 Warranty

General Operation

1. With nothing connected to the input jack 7. Check the system leakage. Take a read-
of the MAX-4000, turn the power on and ing without exposing the chamber to radia-
wait at least 10 minutes for the electrometer tion. This reading should be less than 0.1%
to warm up. of the final signal expected.

2. Select the desired Range of Operation, 8. Measure the atmospheric temperature and
Low or High, with the arrow buttons, followed pressure.
by the Mode button.
9. Turn on or insert the radiation source(s)
3. Press the Start button to perform the and take at least 3 measurements. Further
electrometer zero adjustment. This will explanation of the Range, Threshold, Rate,
take about one minute. Charge, and Rate/Charge modes can be
found on pages 5-7.
4. Connect the ionization chamber to the
MAX-4000 and select the desired voltage 10. Analyze the data taking into account the
bias. Allow at least 10 minutes for the sys- average of the readings, system leakage,
tem to stabilize. temperature/pressure corrections, calibration
factors and any other appropriate corrections
5. Verify the leakage of the ionization cham- to be made.
ber is within the manufacturer’s stated ac-
ceptable limits. 11. When all measurements are completed,
set bias voltage to 0 VDC, turn off the MAX-
6. Press and hold the Mode button and re- 4000 and disconnect the ionization cham-
peat the zeroing process in Step 3, but with ber.
the ionization chamber connected. This is
the system zero adjustment.

3
 Front Panel Rear Panel

1 6
MAX-4000
POWER

INPUT

! R

START
MODE
RESET

2 3 4 5 1 2 3

1 Power button: Turns the unit off and 1 2.1 mm Battery Charger Input:
on. Connect the battery charger to this
input jack when charging the internal
2 Input connection: A standard two battery. Note: If the MAX-4000 is
lug, BNC, triax connector for signal being used in a patient environment,
input. This connector features low do not plug in the charger. Connect
leakage current properties. The to mains power through an isolation
signal current is carried on the cen- transformer only.
tral lead, the guard carries the high
voltage and the outermost ring is 2 RS-232 serial port: A standard
ground. 4 conductor telephone cable may
be used to connect to the serial
To protect the input connector, al-
port for remote observation or data
ways replace the chain cap when
recording. A 15’ cable and DB-9 fe-
the MAX-4000 is not in use.
male adapter (for connection to the
computer) has been provided. Do
3 Battery Charging Light: When lit,
not connect RS-232 serial port to
the battery charger is energized and
the telephone line. This port is for
charging the internal battery.
connection to equipment where no
risk of external voltage exists.
4 Mode button: Press to toggle
through the modes in the follow-
ing order: Range, Bias, Thresh-
3 External reset switch: In the un-
likely event that the device stops
old Levels, Rate, Charge and
responding, use a small diameter
Rate/Charge. Press and hold for
rod to lightly press the internal but-
2 seconds to select the zero ad-
ton and reset the device.
justment procedure and perform
system zero.

5 Start/Reset button: Press to start

and stop timed charge collections in
the Charge or Rate/Charge mode,
or to reset the display following a
collection.

6 Arrow buttons: Press to toggle the

Range selection, voltages in the Bias
mode, or to select the time period
increments for taking a charge read-
ing.

4
Setting up the MAX-4000

Before using the MAX-4000 to take measurements, perform the following steps
to ensure accurate readings. The MAX-4000 features an automatic zero function
and a convenient way to check battery status and bias level.

Auto Warm Up and Zero Adjustment Bias Mode

1. Turn on the MAX-4000. The display 1. The charge level of the internal bat-
will count down a 10:00 minute warm tery is displayed in percent. When
up. The warm up may be bypassed the battery capacity drops below
by pressing the MODE button. If you 15%, the display will read “RE-
choose to bypass the warm up, be CHARGE BATTERY.”
aware that repeatability and leakage
2. Use the arrow buttons to select the
specifications may not be achieved
bias level from the following op-
until 10 minutes has elapsed.
tions.
2. Select the desired Range of Opera-
-100% -300 VDC
tion, Low or High, with the arrow but-
tons, followed by the Mode button. -50% -150 VDC
Press the Start button to perform
0% 0 VDC
the zero adjustment. This process
will take 60 seconds. +50% 150 VDC
3. The display will read “ZEROING +100% 300 VDC
COMPLETE.” The MAX-4000 now
defaults to the Bias mode. 3. Press the Mode button to select a
mode of operation. You may return to
NOTE: Each Range of Operation must be the Bias mode at any time to change
zeroed upon initial use. To perform subse- the bias voltage.
quent zero adjustments, press and hold the
CAUTION:
Mode button for two seconds.
! When connecting or discon-
necting an ionization chamber to
Range Selection Mode the MAX-4000, set the bias voltage
to 0% (0 VDC).
1. The measuring range of the MAX-
4000 is displayed as High or Low.
The actual numeric range is also Threshold Levels
shown to indicate the proper units
of measurement for each range. The MAX-4000 Electrometer has a thresh-
old mode, which allows it to automatically
2. Use the arrow buttons to select the detect the start and stop of a radiation ex-
desired range of operation. Range posure by measuring the current crossing
change is immediate. predetermined limit thresholds. The start
and stop thresholds are set independently,
3. Use the mode button to select mode
with the default settings of start 0.8 pA and
of operation. You may use the mode
stop 0.5 pA. Threshold limits cannot be
button to return to the range selection
set to 0.0. When making measurements
mode at any time.
in the presence of larger leakage currents,
it may be necessary to raise the threshold
limits. Conversely, since the start threshold

5
Setting up the MAX-4000 Continued

determines the minimum dose rate, it may be System Zeroing

necessary to lower the thresholds for other
measurements. 1. Connect the ionization chamber to
the MAX-4000 and select the desired
1. The threshold start and stop levels voltage bias. Allow at least 10 min-
are displayed in pA and are adjust- utes for the system to stabilize.
able from 0.01 - 9.99 pA.
2. Verify the leakage of the ionization
2. Use the Start/Reset button to select chamber is within the manufacturer’s
the digit to adjust. stated acceptable limits.
3. Use the arrow buttons to adjust the 3. Press and hold the Mode button for
selected digit from 0 to 9. 2 seconds to repeat the zeroing pro-
cess, but with the ionization chamber
4. Both values must be larger than zero,
connected. This is the system zero
and the start value must be larger
adjustment.
than the stop value.
5. Use the mode button to select mode
of operation. You may use the mode
button to return to the Threshold Lev-
els mode at any time.
6. If invalid numbers are entered, the
invalid entry will be displayed after
pressing the Mode button.

6
Using the MAX-4000

Charging the internal battery NOTE: Depending on the type of mea-

surements performed, leakage currents
1. When the battery capacity is 15% within the ionization chamber can be a
or less, “RECHARGE BATTERY” significant portion of the measured data.
appears on the display. Plug the The electrometer zero can be adjusted to
2.1 mm plug of the charger into the compensate for leakage currents of the
electrometer and the other end into ionization chamber by pressing and hold-
mains power. ing the MODE button for 2 seconds after
the chamber has been connected and
2. Whenever external power is sup-
the system has warmed up. This will
plied, the small amber light ad-
place the electrometer into the zeroing
jacent to the MODE switch on the
mode and a system zero can begin. This
front panel is lit. This activates the
is applicable for the both the Rate and
charging circuit and the Battery per-
Charge modes. Refer to page 6 for more
cent display in the Bias mode will
information on system zeroing.
indicate “CHRG”.
3. The MAX-4000 will also operate with Rate Mode
the charger plugged into a wall out-
let, regardless of the battery capacity. 1. Use the Range mode to select the
Re-charging the battery takes 6 - 8 range of operation.
hours. The MAX-4000 may be con-
2. Use the Bias mode to set the bias
tinually charged with no detrimental
voltage.
effects to the internal battery.
3. Use the Mode button to select the
Rate Mode.
Automatic shutdown
4. Irradiate the ion chamber with a
To maximize battery life, the MAX-4000 will radioactive source.
shut off automatically if it is not plugged into
5. The MAX-4000 will begin to mea-
the wall charger and is left unattended for
sure the current. For signals 2 nA
more than 3 hours.
and below, allow about 12 seconds
for the signal to stabilize. For signals
above 2 nA, wait about 3 seconds for
stabilization.
6. The Rate measurement will be dis-
played.
NOTE: Rate measurements of 194.99 nA
(High range) or 950.00 pA (Low range) will
produce an “OVERLOAD” message.

7
Using the MAX-4000 Continued

Charge Mode & Rate/Charge Mode

1. Use the Range mode to select the range of operation.

2. Use the Bias mode to set the bias voltage.
3. Use the Mode button to select the Charge Mode or Rate/Charge Mode.

Select a Charge Collection Mode (Proceed to desired step 4)

Timed MAX RUN Threshold

4. Use the arrow buttons 4. Use arrow buttons to 4. Use arrow buttons to
to select the collection select MAX RUN. select THR DET.
time. Time periods from
5. Press Start/Reset but- 5. Press Start/Reset but-
0 - 600 seconds are
ton to start charge col- ton to start detection.
available in 15 second
lection. The MAX-4000 Meter will display THR
increments.
will continue to collect RDY.
5. Irradiate the ionization charge until stopped
6. Irradiate the ionization
chamber. by pressing the Start/
chamber.
Reset button.
6. Press the Start/Reset
7. When the threshold
button. The MAX- 6. Irradiate the ionization
start level is exceeded,
4000 will count down chamber.
the MAX-4000 will be-
from the time set and
7. Record the reading gin to collecting charge
display the charge
after irradiation period. and the display will
accumulated. When
change to THR TRG.
the countdown is com- 8. Press Start/Reset to
plete, the charge ac- stop collection and 8. The MAX-4000 will con-
cumulated will remain reset reading. tinue to collect charge
until the unit is reset. until the measured
9. Repeat steps 4-8 for
current is below the
7. Record the reading and other charge readings.
threshold stop level.
press the Start/Reset
NOTE: The charge collection When stopped, the
button to clear the
is erased when stopped, so display will change to
reading and reset to
record value before stopping THR RDY.
the chosen collection
electrometer.
time. 9. Record charge value.
8. Repeat steps 4 - 7 for 10. Repeat steps 6-10 for
other charge readings. other charge readings.
NOTE: Charge measure- 11. Press Start/Reset but-
ments greater than 999,999 ton to exit threshold
nC will produce an “OVER- charge collections.
LOAD” message. The display will change
to THR DET.

8
MAX COMM Software

The MAX-4000 electrometer is compatible

with Standard Imaging MAX COMM soft-
ware. MAX COMM expands the functional-
ity of a MAX series electrometer by adding
chamber libraries, temperature/pressure
correction factors, and more. The program
installation package is included with your
MAX-4000 shipment, with an enclosed
CD-ROM. The MAX COMM user manual
is available electronically in PDF format on
the program CD-ROM and includes detailed
instructions for installation, setup, and use
with this electrometer.

Maintenance

As is standard practice for other electrometers, it is recommended that the MAX-4000 be

calibrated every 2 years. This calibration should be performed by an Accredited Dosimetry
Calibration Laboratory.

Exterior cleaning of the device can be done with a soft brush and a cloth. Gently brush all
surfaces to remove dirt and dust. Remove any remaining dirt with a cloth slightly dampened
with a solution of mild detergent and water or a liquid disinfecting agent. Do not use water or
liquid on triax jack. Do not permit any liquid to seep into the MAX-4000 in any manner during
cleaning. It is not recommended to clean the window of the LCD with anything other than
a mild detergent and a very soft cloth. Failure to use a soft cloth may result in a scratched
window, and this may impair the visibility of the LCD.

Qualified users may replace the Lead Acid battery only. An illustrated Instruction Booklet is
available. See the Parts and Accessories List below. There are no other user serviceable
parts in the MAX-4000.

If assistance is desired in the proper disposal of this product (including accessories

and components), after its useful life, please return to Standard Imaging.

9
Troubleshooting

Questionable Readings Low Battery

If readings are off, determine if there is any The MAX-4000 contains 1 rechargeable
leakage from the MAX-4000 or ionization sealed lead-acid battery with a life of about
chamber. Follow steps 1 - 7 under General 10 hours. When the battery is at 15% of
Operation. capacity, “RECHARGE BATTERY” will ap-
pear on the display. If the battery becomes
Can’t Get Out of Charge Mode or Rate/ low during a charge collection, the screen
Charge Mode will alternate between “RECHARGE BAT-
Upon completion of a charge collection in TERY” and the status of the collection. The
the Charge mode or Rate/Charge mode, the collection process will not be interrupted.
Start/Reset button must first be pressed to
reset the display before other buttons will The MAX-4000 will also operate with the char-
function. ger plugged into a wall outlet. Re-charging the
battery takes 6 - 8 hours. The MAX-4000 may
No Response be continually charged when not in use with
If the system does not respond to any of the no detrimental effects to the internal battery.
buttons, use the external reset switch. See
page 4 for details. The MAX-4000 will shut off automatically if it
is not plugged into the wall charger and is left
unattended for more than 3 hours.

If you require further assistance, please contact Standard Imaging’s Service Department
at (800) 261-4446 or (608) 831-0025 for international calls.

Parts and Accessories List

REF Description

80206 Instruction Manual

72011 Battery Charger, 110 VAC*
76007 Battery Charger, 220 VAC*
72013 Telco® Adapter Kit, RJ-11 to DB-9F
73006-110 Lead Acid Battery Replacement Kit, including 110 VAC wall charger
73006-220 Lead Acid Battery Replacement Kit, including 220 VAC wall charger
75501 MAX COMM Software
4426 Technical Note-Command Set for Bi-directional RS-232 operation.

10
Features and Specifications

Rate Mode Ranges: Low: 0.001 pA - 950.00 pA

High: 0.001 nA - 195.00 nA

Charge Mode Ranges: Low: 0.01 pC - 999,999 nC

High: 0.01 nC - 999,999 nC

Charge Collection Modes:

Timed: Timed charge collection
Max Run: Continuous charge collection
Thr Det: Threshold controlled charge collection

Threshold Levels for charge collection:

Start: 0.02 - 9.99 pA
Stop: 0.01 - 9.98 pA
Start value must be larger than stop value

Selectable Time Periods for Charge Collection:

Range: 15 - 600 seconds
Increments: 15 seconds
Resolution: 1 second

Range Switching: User selectable

Repeatability:
Short term: ±0.1% + one count
Long term: ±0.2% (max change over 2 yrs)
Signal settling time (typ): High Range - 12 sec
Low Range - 3 sec

Linearity: ±0.06% typical, all rate and

charge settings

Leakage (Zero Drift): Low Range < 1 fA at STP

High Range < 5 fA at STP

Operating Conditions:
Pressure: 680 to 770 mm Hg
Temperature: 10 to 40 °C
Relative Humidity: 20 to 80%, non-condensing

Storage and Transport Conditions:

Pressure: 600 to 800 mm Hg
Temperature: -15 to 50 °C
Relative Humidity: 10 to 95%, non-condensing

Specifications are subject to change without notice.

11
Features and Specifications Continued

Display: LCD, 2 x 20 with 5/16 in. high

characters

Input: BNC two lug, triaxial connector

Bias Voltage: Nominal ±300 volt bias

Five user settings: -300, -150, 0, 150, 300 (VDC)

Zeroing: Automatic zero function, user

activated

Output: Isolated RS-232, Default: uni-

directional 19,200 baud, 8 data
bits, no parity, 1 stop bit
Bi-directional operation via
1) Argus QC4 Software
2) User provided-request Tech
Note Doc No. 4426.

Dimensions:
Width: 22.2 cm (8.24 in)
Height: 7 cm (2.75 in)
Length: 23 cm (9 in)

Weight: 1.4 kg (3.0 lbs)

Power Requirements: UL listed wall-mounted power

supply, 110 or 220 VAC input,
9 VDC@300 mA output

Product Standards: IEC 60601-11, IEC 60601-1-21, IEC 607312

Specifications are subject to change without notice.

1
Externally Certified; 2 Designed to Meet 12
Notes

13
Notes

14
Service Policy Customer Responsibility

If service, including recalibration, is This product and its components will

required, please contact Standard perform properly and reliably only when
Imaging’s Customer Service department operated and maintained in accordance
by phone or email prior to shipping the with the instructions contained in this
product. Standard Imaging’s Customer manual and accompanying labels. A
Service and Technical Service staff will defective device should not be used. Parts
attempt to address the product issue via which may be broken or missing or are
phone or email. If unable to address the clearly worn, distorted or contaminated
issue, a return material authorization should be replaced immediately with
(RMA) number will be issued. With the genuine replacement parts manufactured
RMA number, the product can be returned by or made available from Standard
to Standard Imaging. It is the responsibility Imaging Inc.
of the customer to properly package, insure
and ship the product, with the RMA number CAUTION: Federal law in the U.S.A.
clearly identified on the outside of the
! and Canadian law restrict the sale,
package. The customer must immediately distribution, or use of this product
file a claim with their carrier for any shipping to, by, or on the order of a licensed
damage or lost shipments. Return shipping medical practitioner. The use of
and insurance is to be pre-paid or billed this product should be restricted
to the customer, and the customer may to the supervision of a qualified
request a specific shipper. Items found to medical physicist. Measurement of
be out of warranty are subject to a minimum high activity radioactive sources is
service fee of 1 hour labor (excluding potentially hazardous and should be
recalibrations) for diagnostic efforts and performed by qualified personnel.
require a purchase order (PO) before
service is performed. With concurrence from Should repair or replacement of this product
customer, the product may be replaced if it become necessary after the warranty
is unserviceable or if the required service is period, the customer should seek advice
cost prohibitive. Products incurring service from Standard Imaging Inc. prior to such
charges may be held for payment. Standard repair or replacement. If this product is
Imaging does not provide loaner products. in need of repair, it should not be used
See the Standard Imaging Warranty and until all repairs have been made and the
Customer Responsibility for additional product is functioning properly and ready
information. for use. After repair, the product may need
to be calibrated. The owner of this product
has sole responsibility for any malfunction
Standard Imaging products have unit serial resulting from abuse, improper use or
numbers with coded logic which indicates the maintenance, or repair by anyone other
product, day and year of manufacture, and a than Standard Imaging Inc.
sequential unit number for identification:
The information in this manual is subject
to change without notice. No part of this
manual may be copied or reproduced in any
E YY DDD X form or by any means without prior written
consent of Standard Imaging Inc.
E MAX-4000 Product Line
YY Last two digits of the year
(e.g. 1999 = 99, 2000 = 00)
DDD Day of the year (1< DDD < 365)
X Unique unit ID Number (1 < X < 9)

15
Warranty

Standard Imaging, Inc. sells this product under the warranty herein set forth. The warranty
is extended only to the buyer purchasing the product directly from Standard Imaging, Inc.
or as a new product from an authorized dealer or distributor of Standard Imaging, Inc.
For a period provided in the table below from the date of original delivery to the
purchaser or a distributor, this Standard Imaging, Inc. product, provided in the table
is warranted against functional defects in design, materials and workmanship,
provided it is properly operated under conditions of normal use, and that repairs and
replacements are made in accordance herewith. The foregoing warranty shall not
apply if the product has been altered, disassembled or repaired other than by Standard
Imaging, Inc. or if the product has been subject to abuse, misuse, negligence or accident.

Product Warranty Period

Standard Imaging Ionization Chambers 2 years
Standard Imaging Well Chambers 2 years
Standard Imaging Electrometers 2 years
Standard Imaging Software Products 1 year
All Other Standard Imaging Products 1 year
Standard Imaging Custom Product 90 days
Consumables 90 days
Serviced Product 90 days
Resale Products As defined by the Original Equipment Manufacturer
0 - 90 days = 100% of ADCL Calibration Costs
ADCL Product Calibration 91 - 182 days = 75% of ADCL Calibration Costs
(Standard Imaging uses the UW-ADCL for 183 – 365 days = 50% of ADCL Calibration Costs
recalibrations required under warranty) 366 – 639 days = 25% of ADCL Calibration Costs
(days from date of shipment to customer)

Standard Imaging’s sole and exclusive obligation and the purchaser’s sole and exclusive
remedy under the above warranties are, at Standard Imaging’s option, limited to repairing,
replacing free of charge or revising labeling and manual content on, a product: (1) which
contains a defect covered by the above warranties; (2) which are reported to Standard
Imaging, Inc. not later than seven (7) days after the expiration date of the warranty period
in the table; (3) which are returned to Standard Imaging, Inc. promptly after discovery of
the defect; and (4) which are found to be defective upon examination by Standard Imaging
Inc. Transportation related charges, (including, but not limited to shipping, customs,
tariffs, taxes, and brokerage fees) to Standard Imaging are the buyer’s responsibility. This
warranty extends to every part of the product except consumables (fuses, batteries, or glass
breakage). Standard Imaging, Inc. shall not be otherwise liable for any damages, including
but not limited to, incidental damages, consequential damages, or special damages.
Repaired or replaced products are warranted for the balance of the original warranty period,
or at least 90 days.
This warranty is in lieu of all other warranties, express or implied, whether statutory or otherwise,
including any implied warranty of fitness for a particular purpose. In no event shall Standard
Imaging, Inc. be liable for any incidental or consequential damages resulting from the use,
misuse or abuse of the product or caused by any defect, failure or malfunction of the product,
whether a claim of such damages is based upon the warranty, contract, negligence, or otherwise.
This warranty represents the current standard warranty of Standard Imaging, Inc. Please
refer to the labeling or instruction manual of your Standard Imaging, Inc. product or the
Standard Imaging, Inc. web page for any warranty conditions unique to the product.

16