Fluke Biomedical 8000 Victoreen - Manual (Page 13)

Operation
Description
2
2-1
Section 2
Operation
2.1 Description
The NERO mAx consists of the NERO mAx control console, detector, detector cable, filter slides, AC
adapter, HVL plates, manual, Microsoft Excel Add-in and carrying case.
The NERO mAx control console is compact and easy to use. The sophisticated electronics necessary to
provide highly accurate, reproducible measurements while maintaining an intuitive, user-friendly operating
system are contained in the NERO mAx control console. The NERO mAx’s rechargeable battery is also
housed in the control console. The front panel of the control console contains a backlit 240 x 64 pixel, dot
matrix LCD display and eight push buttons. Connectors for power input, RS-232, printer, scope output
and the NERO mAx detector are located on the control console’s rear panel. The ON/OFF switch is
located on the right side of the control console.
The NERO mAx detector contains sensors for simultaneously measuring kV, exposure or rate and
invasive mA or mAs. Solid-state detectors are used to measure kV. An ion chamber, located in the top
of the detector, is used for exposure/rate measurements. In addition, connectors for an external ion
chamber are provided on the rear panel of the 8000 detector. The NERO mAx detector’s interface
connector is also located on the detector’s rear panel. The front panel has a keyed opening for the model
8000-filter slides and a connector for mAs leads.
The NERO mAx filter cards contain the various filters needed to accurately measure kilovoltage. Each
filter card is coded so that the NERO mAx “knows” which filter is in use and its position. The NERO mAx
also verifies that the filter card is valid for the selected measurement mode. In addition, the filter cards
are keyed so that they may only be inserted one way. The W/Al filter card is labeled with the kVp ranges
that it is calibrated for. The Mammo filter card is labeled for the x-ray tube targets that it is calibrated for.
The serial numbers of the NERO mAx control console unit, detector and filter slides must be matched in
order to obtain accurate results. The control console unit, detector and filter slides are calibrated
together, and must be used together for accurate measurements.
2.2 General
Positioning the Control Console
Position the NERO mAx control console on a stable, flat surface within 25 feet of the detector. If a printer
is to be used with the NERO mAx it should also be placed on a stable, flat surface.
Positioning the Detector
Correct and reproducible positioning of the NERO mAx detector in the x-ray beam is very important in
obtaining accurate and reproducible results from the NERO mAx. Fluke Biomedical has printed several
alignment marks on top of the detector to assure correct, reproducible positioning of the detector.
The black circle is the minimum collimated beam size required for accurate exposure, rate and kVp
measurements. This circle defines the diameter of the NERO mAx’s internal ion chamber.