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sensor:radiationd [2026/05/15 18:18] – vamsansensor:radiationd [2026/05/15 19:19] (current) – [I²C topics on lamaPLC] vamsan
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-====== lamaPLC: RadiationD Geiger counter module ======+====== lamaPLC: RadiationD Geiger counter module and tubes ======
 {{ :sensor:radiationd_1.png?200|RadiationD Geiger counter module}} {{ :sensor:radiationd_1.png?200|RadiationD Geiger counter module}}
 The **RadiationD-v1.1** is a popular DIY Geiger counter module for measuring ionising radiation, often paired with microcontrollers like the ESP32 or Arduino. It typically utilizes a **Miller tube** //(Geiger-Müller tube)// to detect gamma rays and some beta particles. The **RadiationD-v1.1** is a popular DIY Geiger counter module for measuring ionising radiation, often paired with microcontrollers like the ESP32 or Arduino. It typically utilizes a **Miller tube** //(Geiger-Müller tube)// to detect gamma rays and some beta particles.
  
-The RadiationD-v1.1 module’s measuring limits are primarily determined by the specific Geiger-Müller (GM) tube installed on the board. Most kits use either the J305 or M4011 glass tubes.+The RadiationD-v1.1 module’s measuring limits are primarily determined by the specific Geiger-Müller (GM) tube installed on the board. Most kits use either the //J305// or //M4011// glass tubes.
  
 **☢️ Radiation Type Limits** **☢️ Radiation Type Limits**
  
-  * **Gamma (Γ):** Excellent detection. It is most accurate for Gamma rays (like those from Cesium-137).+  * **Gamma (Γ):** Excellent detection. It is most accurate for Gamma rays (like those from //Cesium-137//).
   * **Beta (β):** Detects high-energy (//"hard"//) Beta particles. Low-energy Beta may not penetrate the glass tube wall.   * **Beta (β):** Detects high-energy (//"hard"//) Beta particles. Low-energy Beta may not penetrate the glass tube wall.
-  * **Alpha (α):** Not detectable. The glass wall of the J305/M4011 tubes is too thick for Alpha particles to enter; they are blocked by the glass or even a few centimeters of air+  * **Alpha (α):** Detection is only possible with the //LND-712// tube. All other tubes have glass walls that are too thick for alpha particles to penetrate; they are either blocked by the glass or even a few centimeters of air.
  
 ==== RadiationD Recommended and Compatible Tubes ==== ==== RadiationD Recommended and Compatible Tubes ====
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 ^Material|Glass|Glass|Glass|Metal (Stainless)|Metal (Stainless)|Metal / Mica Window| ^Material|Glass|Glass|Glass|Metal (Stainless)|Metal (Stainless)|Metal / Mica Window|
 ^Sensitivity|Moderate|Low-Moderate|Moderate|High|High|Very High| ^Sensitivity|Moderate|Low-Moderate|Moderate|High|High|Very High|
 +^Min. energy¹ Alpha|Blocked|Blocked|Blocked|Blocked|Blocked|> 4.0 MeV|
 +^Min. energy¹ Beta|~0.3 MeV |~0.4 MeV |~0.3 MeV |~0.2 MeV |~0.2 MeV |> 0.2 MeV|
 +^Min. energy¹ Gamma|~0.02 MeV|~0.02 MeV|~0.02 MeV|~0.05 MeV|~0.05 MeV|> 0.01 MeV|
 +^Max. dose²|1,200 µSv/h (0.12 R/h)|1,000 µSv/h (0.10 R/h)|1,200 µSv/h (0.12 R/h)|1,440 µSv/h (0.14 R/h)|1,440 µSv/h (0.14 R/h)|2,000 µSv/h (0.20 R/h)|
 +^Max. counts² (CPM)|~30.000|~25.000|~30.000|~40.000|~40.000|~50.000|
 ^Alpha|No|No|No|No|No|Yes (via window)| ^Alpha|No|No|No|No|No|Yes (via window)|
 ^Beta|Yes (High energy)|Yes (High energy)|Yes (High energy)|Yes (Excellent)|Yes (Excellent)|Yes (Excellent)| ^Beta|Yes (High energy)|Yes (High energy)|Yes (High energy)|Yes (Excellent)|Yes (Excellent)|Yes (Excellent)|
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 ^Op. Voltage|350V - 450V|350V - 450V|350V - 450V|350V - 475V|350V - 475V|450V - 500V| ^Op. Voltage|350V - 450V|350V - 450V|350V - 450V|350V - 475V|350V - 475V|450V - 500V|
 ^Light Sens.|High (Needs tape)|High (Needs tape)|High (Needs tape)|None|None|None| ^Light Sens.|High (Needs tape)|High (Needs tape)|High (Needs tape)|None|None|None|
-^Notes|Standard DIY tube; very fragile.|Similar to J305; often shorter.|Very common in Chinese kits.|Industry standard; very durable.|Soviet version of SBM-20; longer.|Professional; detects all types.| 
  
 +¹: //This defines the minimum energy a particle must have to "get inside" the tube.// \\
 +²: //This defines the maximum amount of radiation the tube can count before it becomes "choked" (Saturation).//
 +
 +  * **Low Energy Limit:** When detecting weak radiation, such as from food or granite, the J-series glass tubes may fail to register it because the energy is too low to penetrate the glass. 
 +  * **Saturation (The Danger Zone):** When these tubes are near a high-radiation source, like an X-ray machine or a major leak, they will reach their Max CPM and stop detecting additional radiation. <color red>A flat reading around 30,000 CPM usually indicates radiation levels are actually much higher than the display suggests.</color> 
 +  * **LND-712 Advantage:** This model is unique in being able to detect Alpha particles, like those from Americium in smoke detectors, as Alpha particles are very weak and cannot pass through glass or steel.
 === The Glass Tubes (J305, J321, M4011) === === The Glass Tubes (J305, J321, M4011) ===
 {{ :sensor:tube_j321.png?400 |Tube J321}} {{ :sensor:tube_j321.png?400 |Tube J321}}
   * **Light Sensitivity:** These act like solar cells. If you don't wrap them in black tape or put them in a dark box, the sun will cause thousands of "fake" counts.   * **Light Sensitivity:** These act like solar cells. If you don't wrap them in black tape or put them in a dark box, the sun will cause thousands of "fake" counts.
   * **Beta Detection:** They can only detect "hard" Beta. The glass walls are too thick for Beta particles to penetrate.   * **Beta Detection:** They can only detect "hard" Beta. The glass walls are too thick for Beta particles to penetrate.
 +
 +  * **J305:** Excel at detecting Beta radiation, which makes them popular in medical radiology experiments. They are very fragile.
 +  * **J321:** Concentrates on Gamma detection with improved linear response features, making it perfect for environmental security monitoring.
 +  * **M4011:** Exhibits high sensitivity to both Beta and Gamma rays, making it ideal for scientific research and broad industrial monitoring.
  
 === The Soviet Workhorses (SBM-20, STS-5) === === The Soviet Workhorses (SBM-20, STS-5) ===
 {{ :sensor:tube_sbm20.png?400 |Tube SBM-20}} {{ :sensor:tube_sbm20.png?400 |Tube SBM-20}}
   * **Durability:** These are metal tubes. They won't break if you drop them, and they are completely immune to light interference.   * **Durability:** These are metal tubes. They won't break if you drop them, and they are completely immune to light interference.
-  * **Size:** The STS-5 is longer than the SBM-20. Neither usually fits the standard "clips" on the RadiationD board without modification or the use of wires. +  * **Size:** The STS-5 (~112mm) is longer than the SBM-20 (~108mm). Neither usually fits the standard "clips" on the RadiationD board (85-90mm) without modification or the use of wires. 
 +  * **Voltage Tuning:** These tubes love 400V. You will need to use a multimeter to adjust the P1 blue potentiometer on the RadiationD board to ensure it stays in the //"plateau"// range (350V–475V). 
 +  * **Connection:** These tubes use //"pin"// ends. Most users use fuse clips or small springs to hold them, rather than soldering directly to the tube (which can damage the seal).
 === The Professional Choice (LND-712) === === The Professional Choice (LND-712) ===
 +The LND-712 is a professional-grade, American-made tube. It is rarely used by beginners because the tube alone often costs $80–$150, which is 5-10 times the price of the RadiationD module.
 +
 {{ :sensor:tube_lnd_712.png?400 |Tube LND-712}} {{ :sensor:tube_lnd_712.png?400 |Tube LND-712}}
  
   * **Alpha Detection:** This is the only tube on your list with a Mica end-window. This window is thin enough to let Alpha particles through.   * **Alpha Detection:** This is the only tube on your list with a Mica end-window. This window is thin enough to let Alpha particles through.
   * **Voltage:** It requires the higher end of the RadiationD's power range (near 500V). You must adjust the blue potentiometer (P1) while measuring the voltage with a high-impedance multimeter.   * **Voltage:** It requires the higher end of the RadiationD's power range (near 500V). You must adjust the blue potentiometer (P1) while measuring the voltage with a high-impedance multimeter.
 +  * **Usage:** To detect Alpha, you must point the "window" end directly at the source (within 1–2 cm).
 +  * **Warning:** The Mica window is extremely fragile—touching it with a finger or a tool will destroy the tube instantly
 +  * **Mounting:** The LND-712 is much shorter (approx. 50mm) and has a different pin configuration. It will not fit the clips. You must solder custom lead wires.
 +  * **Use for mineral collectors:** Users hunting for //"hot"// rocks (Autunite, Torbernite) where Alpha emission is the primary indicator.
 +
 +==== RadiationD and Arduino ====
 +To operate the RadiationD-v1.1 with an Arduino, connect it as an external interrupt source. Since radiation events occur randomly and very quickly, relying on a standard ''digitalRead'' is not dependable.
 +
 +**Wiring Diagram**
 +
 +^RadiationD Pin^Arduino Pin^Note|
 +^5V|5V|Power supply from Arduino|
 +^GND|GND|Common ground|
 +^Vin (or Out)|Digital Pin 2|Must be an Interrupt Pin (D2 or D3 on Uno)|
 +
 +**Simple RadiationD & Arduino Code**
 +
 +This script counts the pulses and calculates CPM (Counts Per Minute).
 +
 +<code c>
 +#define LOG_PERIOD 15000 // Log period in milliseconds (15 seconds)
 +unsigned long counts;     // Variable to store pulses
 +unsigned long previousMillis;
 +
 +void ICACHE_RAM_ATTR countPulse() {
 +  counts++;
 +}
 +
 +void setup() {
 +  Serial.begin(9600);
 +  pinMode(2, INPUT); 
 +  // RadiationD pulses LOW when radiation is detected
 +  attachInterrupt(digitalPinToInterrupt(2), countPulse, FALLING);
 +}
 +
 +void loop() {
 +  unsigned long currentMillis = millis();
 +  if (currentMillis - previousMillis > LOG_PERIOD) {
 +    previousMillis = currentMillis;
 +    
 +    // Calculate CPM (Counts Per Minute)
 +    float cpm = counts * (60000.0 / LOG_PERIOD);
 +    
 +    Serial.print("CPM: ");
 +    Serial.println(cpm);
 +    
 +    counts = 0; // Reset count for next period
 +  }
 +}
 +</code>
 +
 +**Converting CPM to µSv/h**
 +
 +To get a usable dose reading, you multiply the CPM by the conversion factor specific to your tube.
  
 +  * **J305 / M4011:** ''µSv/h = CPM * 0.0081''
 +  * **SBM-20:** ''µSv/h = CPM * 0.0057''
 +  * **Example:** If your Arduino calculates 20 CPM with a J305 tube:''20 * 0.0081 = 0.162 µSv/h'' (Normal background radiation).
  
 +===== I²C topics on lamaPLC =====
 +{{topic>i2c}}
  
 +\\
 +\\
 +{{tag>communication J305 J321 M4011 SBM-20 STS-5 LND-712 radiation Miller Geiger-Müller tube Saturation RadiationD module µSv/h CPM CAJOE}}
 +\\
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