These various radiation meters were originally procured and/or used by the NSW government agencies including the former State Pollution Control Commission (SPCC), the Environment Protection Authority (EPA), the NSW Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC), and possibly the NSW Department of Health. These agencies, collectively over the years regulated the use of radiation apparatus (for example X-ray machines used in medical diagnostics) and radioactive substances (for example cobalt-60 used in industrial gauging applications).

The equipment was used to measure the type and intensity of radiation. It exemplifies one of the many aspects of regulation administered by government health departments and augments the Museum's collection of measuring instruments and workplace health and safety material.

Written by Erika Dicker
Assistant Curator, 2007.

Automess has been active in development, production, and sales of measuring instruments and systems since 1970.
In the year 1978 they produced the first portable, battery operated radiation measuring instrument which was equipped with a microprocessor. This innovation made it possible to both develop and manufacture compact radiation measuring instruments with unique characteristics.
Their main activity is development and production of portable nuclear radiation meters. With the various models dose rates in the range of 1 nSv/h (sieverts per hour) (0.1 µR/h(rem)) to 10 Sv/h (1000 R/h) can be measured.

Radiation detector, 'Teletector 6112B', metal / plastic / wood, made by Automess, Ladenberg, Germany, 1980-2005

The Teletector 6112B is a portable battery-operated instrument used mainly for measuring gamma radiation. It can also be used for detecting (but not measuring) beta radiation. It is enclosed in a wooden carry case. The machine is a grey pear-shaped object with a long black probe attached. On the face of the machine is a switch and readout meter.

Two Geiger Mueller tubes contained at the end of a telescopic probe serve as detectors. An earphone or an audio speaker can be connected to the instrument for acoustic indication. The fully transistorised printed circuit is contained in a waterproof metal case. Four 1.5 V cells in the handle serve as a power supply.

The special characteristics of the instrument are: wide measuring range from 0.1 mR/h (rem) to 1000 R/h in five switch controlled scales; simple operation by one switch for all functions of the instrument; error free reading due to scale changing meter; and the self-contained telescopic probe is extendable up to 4 metres, increasing the safety factor because of distance from radiation source, and allowing for measurement in inaccessible places.

The Teletector comes with a loudspeaker and earphones.

Made: 1980 - 2005

2007/60/2

1980 - 2005

90 mm

130 mm

3 kg