Tennelec 5E vs. Protean WPC-1050

[Vanilla Xtract]

I am looking at requesting an automated count system for our plant. We currently use an iSOLO to count smears for alpha and it is not really working out. Does anyone have experience with both instruments and can recommend one over the other? Or is there any other options out there?

[Trecker987]

Immediately off topic, but could you detail the issues you have had with the iSolo?

[GLW]

I am looking at requesting an automated count system for our plant. We currently use an iSOLO to count smears for alpha and it is not really working out. Does anyone have experience with both instruments and can recommend one over the other? Or is there any other options out there?

check your PMs,...

[fiveeleven]

Not sure of the detailed differences between the Tennelec 5E and the previous version. The Protean is a fine machine, the cal. guys dont have any complaints, and in todays climate of heightened helium nucleus controls, having every sample(smear or air) counted for said offender and with the 20dpm mda capability, it is a nice addition to any commercial plants count room.

[Ed]

OK, lets see,

Tennelec: needs gas, gas regulator, someone who would know how to change bottles and how to check gas pressure, flow, etc daily, Also, sophisticated data formatting software (which I forget what it was called) which causes few problems every now and then and harder to resolve by average joe nuke tech or the instrument tech :-)

Protean: does not need gas, simple operation, load the planchets stack, let it count all through the weekend and leave, and better MDA anyways,

seems simple choice to me at least as far as the nuke plants concerned  :-)

[Ed]

but Then again iSolo is a great instrument for a quick check of Alpha,  provided it is calibrated by a competent calibration tech and used,  the same,  by a competent count room tech. iSolo is a g I it is a great wonderful addition to any serious radiation monitoring instrumentation lab.