PRODUCT FAQ

Q: Do I need a license from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission?

A: The USNRC does not regulate naturally occurring or accelerator produced radioactive materials (NARM) such as cobalt 57. The USNRC has delegated responsibility for these radioactive materials to the individual states. Each state has different requirements. You will either need to submit an application for a radioactive material license or acquire the microLEAD I as a general licensee. Warrington’s sales staff can supply information on the the license fees and tradeoffs of each registration method for your particular state.

Q: The purchase price is $8,995. Is leasing available?

A: Many of our customers choose a lease-purchase option in order to conserve cash flow. A standard 36 month lease plan will get you into the lead testing business for around $300 per month. You can recoup your lease amount with your first inspection each month!

Q: How does Warrington keep the microLEADI price so competitive?

A: Warrington, Inc. is the only manufacturer of XRF lead-based analyzers that sells factory direct with no manufacture’s representatives or commissioned sales force. This allows Warrington to eliminate the 25 to 35% commission that must be added on to other vendor’s price schedules. We pass the savings on to you.

Q: Can I test metal surfaces?

A: With the ZERO STANDARD function key, the operator can let the microLEADI “learn” how to compensate for any particularly unusual substrate material. This is very useful when testing in commercial installations such as tank farms or oil refineries or when you encounter a very unusual substrate condition such as a lead containing shielding wall in an X-ray room.

Q: How often do I need to change out the Cobalt 57 source?

A: The instrument can operate for over 16 months on each source. As the source decays, the instrument increases the sampling time to maintain constant counting statistics. In order to keep the average measurement time to a minimum, most of our customers replace the cobalt 57 source on a 12 month schedule. Advance scheduling of your source replacement will enable our service department to complete the source exchange and recalibration in two or three days.

Q: How long will the batteries last?

A: The microLEAD I internal batteries will give a full 8 - 10 hours of operation on a single charge.  A quick charge during breaks or downtime can extend daily operation even longer.

Q: Can the instrument capture readings electronically?

A: A straight forward method of capturing readings for audit oversight or quality control is built in to the microLEAD I.  The readings can be date and time stamped and project numbers or apartment numbers can be stored with the data.  The information is directly printed to any standard PC compatible printer directly from the instrument.

Q: How do I obtain training on using a microLEAD I?

A: Warrington provides an intensive one day training class that covers radiation safety issues and safe operation, theory of X-ray fluorescence, statistical sampling plans, keypad functions, calibration and quality control checks, record keeping, and hands-on instruction on the instrument.  Training classes are held at various locations around the U.S. Call Warrington, Inc. to register for an upcoming class in your area.

Q: Is the instrument affected by extreme temperatures?

A: The microLEAD I can function over a range of temperatures that probably exceeds the operator’s comfort zone.  The low temperature limitation is caused by diminished capacity of the sealed lead-acid battery pack which occurs at around 20°F. The high temperature limitation is caused by maximum allowable temperatures for operation of standard integrated circuit components which occurs at around 135°F

Q: What is the unit of measurement for the XRF lead-based paint analyzer?

A: Due to the ability of the XRF to scan through many layers of paint, the thickness of the paint does not affect the measurement.  Since the thickness can vary by a factor of 30 or more, the unit of measurement can not include depth or thickness.  Therefore a “weight per area” measurement is used and with the SI metric convention the unit of measurement is “mg/cm2”.

Q: Is operating the instrument on a daily basis harmful?

A: The level of exposure is about equal to that obtained from ambient background radiation.  Your background radiation comes from cosmic, solar, ground material and even trace amounts of radioactive potassium, radium, and carbon inside our bodies.  The microLEAD I has extensive shielding for the operator and has a safety shutter over the source that is controlled by the user.

Q: Are there regulations on transporting the instrument?

A: The microLEAD I is an excepted instrument under the Department of Transportation regulations, 49CFR 173.424 and has a maximum exposure on the outside of the carrying case of 0.5 mREM/Hr.  The instrument can be carried on passenger aircraft and is not required to be transported as checked baggage. Basically, the instrument can be shipped by UPS, FedEx, etc. and transported just as you would any piece of electronic equipment.  The one exception is that the device may not be shipped via the U.S. Mail.