Q:

How can I sense radiation?

A:

It is impossible to sense radiation. Only the dosimeter will help to find out about the level of radiation.

Q:

What is the radiation background?

A:

The radiation background is the low level radioactive emanation. It comes from the outer space (cosmic), and the ground (terrestrial) under natural conditions of the atmosphere.

Q:

What kind of radiation is more harmful: alpha, beta or gamma?

A:

An alpha particle is a helium nucleus, an ionized helium atom. Alpha particles are comparatively large and cannot penetrate much more than a sheet of paper or a few inches of air. But if materials that emit alpha particles are inhaled, ingested or enter your body through a cut in your skin, they can be very harmful.
Beta radiation is a flow of electrons. Beta radiation obtains higher permeability and penetrates organism tissues at the depth of 1-2 cm. It cannot be stopped by a sheet of paper. Some beta particles can be stopped by human skin, but some need a thicker shield (like wood) to stop them. Just like alpha particles, beta particles can also cause serious damage to your health if they are inhaled or swallowed.
Gamma rays are the most penetrating of these three types of radiation. Gamma rays will penetrate paper, skin, wood, and other substances. Like alpha and beta particles, they are also harmful if inhaled, ingested or absorbed. To protect yourself from gamma rays, you need a shield at least as thick as a concrete wall. This type of radiation causes severe damage to your internal organs.

Q:

What is the natural level of radiation?

A:

In accordance with the "Norms of Radiation Safety of Ukraine", maximum permissible level of gamma background is 0.30 µSv/h.

Q:

What kind of radiation is detected by TERRA-P?

A:

The dosimeter measures equivalent dose and equivalent dose rate of gamma radiation, and evaluates surface contamination by beta radionuclides.

Q:

Is TERRA-P harmful to health?

A:

The TERRA-P dosimeter contains no radioactive elements, and hence is completely harmless to health.

Q:

How long is TERRA-P warranty?

A:

The dosimeter is under (free) 18-month warranty servicing from the date of purchase.

Q:

Who performs warranty and post-warranty repair of the dosimeter?

A:

Warranty and post-warranty repair is done only by the manufacturer. Send the dosimeter for repair at the following address:

PE "SPPE "Sparing-Vist Center"
33 Volodymyr Velyky str., Lviv, 79026, Ukraine

Tel.: (+38032) 242 15 15, (+38032) 242 21 15
Fax: (+38032) 242 20 15

Q:

Is the alarm clock on, if TERRA-P is off?

A:

Yes. The alarm clock is on even if the power supply of the dosimeter is off (in case, the batteries are inserted).

Q:

If the display is off, does that mean that the dosimeter is off too?

A:

Not necessarily. The dosimeter has the power-saving function, which means that the display automatically switches off in five minutes after the last performed operation (audio signaling, switching the alarm clock on or pressing any button). Press shortly the THRESHOLD or the MODE button to check if the dosimeter is off and the power-saving function is active. No readout on the display means that the dosimeter is switched off.

Q:

Does TERRA-P measure gamma radiation dose and dose rate while operating in the mode of clock, alarm clock or when the display is off?

A:

Yes, it does. Gamma equivalent dose and equivalent dose rate is measured irrespectively of the selected operating mode if the dosimeter is switched on. At detecting excessive gamma radiation threshold level, Terra-P automatically enters the mode of gamma radiation equivalent dose rate measurement and starts audio alarming, which is followed by the blinking display.

Q:

How long can I use the dosimeter if only one segment of the battery symbol is steady?

A:

You can use the dosimeter during ten hours if it is operating under natural gamma background. The higher radiation level the sooner a complete discharge of the battery will take place.

Q:

How is TERRA-P delivered?

A:

The delivery is done via EMS express service: the courier delivers the parcel to your address.

Q:

Is the TERRA-P dosimeter suitable for use in educational institutions during educational process?

A:

Yes, it is. The dosimeter is recommended by the Ministry of Education of Ukraine for use in educational process.

Q:

Can I use the dosimeter to measure radiation emitted by cell phones?

A:

No, you can not. Cell phones emanate electromagnetic radiation of radiofrequency range, while TERRA-P measures ionizing radiation.

Q:

Under what trademark is TERRA-P manufactured?

A:

TERRA-P is of "ECOTEST" trademark.

Q:

Is TERRA-P a professional dosimeter?

A:

No. TERRA-P is a household dosimeter.

Q:

Do I need to recalibrate TERRA-P annually?

A:

No, as TERRA-P is a household dosimeter, and the primary calibration is done by the manufacturer.

Q:

What is the difference between "TERRA-P" and "TERRA" ?

A:

Both dosimeters are of "ECOTEST" trademark. They have the same design and almost the same weight. Distinctive features:

• the main difference is in the application of the dosimeters: "TERRA" - is a professional "protocol" dosimeter for official measurements, and "TERRA-P" - is a household dosimeter for everyday use: for apartment radiation safety, for work and resort places radiation safety, for evaluation of radiation contamination of foodstuff

• you can distinguish between them because of their different color: the professional device has a black case, while the household - a yellow one;

• equivalent dose rate range measured by "TERRA-P" is narrower than that of the professional device: "TERRA" ranges from - 0.1...9 999 µSv/h, and "TERRA-P" ranges from - 0.1...999.9 µSv/h;

• basic relative errors also differ: "TERRA"'s error is - 15%, "TERRA-P"'s error is - 25 %. This is relevant for professional users.

• "TERRA" measures surface beta-particles flux density, while "TERRA-P" only evaluates the surface contamination by beta radionuclides;

• battery life of the household device is 6 000 hrs, while of the professional one - 2 000 hrs;

• operating temperature range of the professional device is from -20 °C to +50 °C, and of the household one - from -10 °C;

• the professional device has five independent measuring channels, while "TERRA-P" has only three measuring channels;

• besides, "TERRA" is the equipment choice for the Ministry of Defence and the border services of Ukraine;

• both devices are recommended by the the Scientific-Methodical Council under the Ministry of Education of Ukraine for use in educational process in secondary schools.