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 and 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.

Nuclear Enterprises Ltd was acquired by Saint-Gobain in 1995 and eventually merged into the Bicron-NE business unit. The company is now under the new name: Bicron-NE.

Radiation detector, 'Portable Contamination Meter Type P.C.M.5', metal, made by Nuclear Enterprises Ltd, Edinburgh, Scotland, 1980

The detector has a body encased in a yellow metal housing. The front of the unit has a blue metal handle, a grey dial, and a 'counts per second' meter window. There are two probe attachments; both have yellow metal bodies with a square head. They are connected with a black electrical cord.

The rate meter is designed to be used with different types of scintillation and GM (Geiger-Mueller) probes for monitoring all types of radiation. The detector in the probe consists of a plastic phosphor scintillation plate coated on one face with zinc sulphide. A tin layer of aluminised polycarbonate covers the detector; to prevent this layer being damaged, it is covered by a metal grille. The window area is 49 square cm. The instrument can be used in direct reading mode or as a counter. The rate meter also has a sound alarm.

Made: 1980

Ser no 458
With dual probe DPRZ (ser no r4319) and DP2(ser no b5163)

2007/60/12

1980

240 mm

120 mm

1.8 kg