VICTOREEN Radiation Detector Model 470A-SI

Circa 1978 to Early 1990's

A portable, high-performance radiation survey meter designed to measure and monitor a broad range of ionizing radiation. Can be used handheld—or set upon a flat surface—by utilizing the incorporated collapsable stand.

Use Case:

It is extensively used in nuclear power plants, fuel processing facilities, research laboratories, and medical radiology or radiotherapy centers. Its ability to measure wide-angle (panoramic) radiation makes it ideal for general health physics surveys and monitoring background radiation.

Functional Details:

• Detector Type: It uses an unsealed, air-equivalent ionization chamber.

• Detection Capabilities: It detects alpha, beta, gamma, and X-ray radiation.

• Dynamic Range: It has a very wide measuring range, covering exposure rates from 0.1 mR/hr to 1,000 R/hr across eight selectable scales.

Historical Significance:

Produced by the VICTOREEN INSTRUMENT COMPANY—often called the "First Nuclear Company" due to its role in the Manhattan Project and the Bikini atomic tests—the Model 470A was a pioneer in utilizing solid-state IC technology to miniaturize radiation detection circuits, significantly reducing the weight of portable survey equipment.

(H-24cm x W-11.5cm x D-28cm)