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DKP-50A Dosimeter |
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DKP-50A Dosimeter |
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DKP-50A Technical Data |
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Soviet Designation: |
DKP-50A | ||
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Manufacturer: | State Factories | ||
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Year Adopted: |
Uncertain at Present | ||
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Operational Status (2007): |
Russia - In active service. Other Users - Other Warsaw Pact nations and former Soviet Republics. | ||
| Dosimeter Range: |
0 - 50 Rads (0 - .5 Gy) |
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| Operating Temperature Range: |
-40 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit (-40 to +50 Centigrade) |
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Total Weight: |
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The DKP-50A dosimeter is designed to monitor the accumulated dose of radiation that an individual soldier has been exposed to. It replaced the DKP-50 dosimeter that was used in the 1950's. Like all dosimeters, the DKP-50A is a simple electrometer. Inside the device there are two electrodes which are charged by means of an external electrical source. Both of the electrodes within the device have the same charge and repel each other. The charge on the electrodes is neutralized when ionizing radiation passes between the electrodes and the casing. This reduction in the charge causes an electrode to move away from its start point, this movement can be seen against a scale when the user looks through the device.
The DKP-50A is constructed of machined aluminum and comes with a small clear plastic cap to protect the charging contacts. This cap must be removed before the dosimeter can be charged and zeroed. The dosimeter is charged and zeroed by using the charger supplied with the DP-23 dosimeter set. Fifty DKP-50A dosimeters are included with this set.
In the field the DKP-50A was issued to officers and senior NCO's. It was worn attached to pocket or belt by means of the retaining clip. The dosimeter scale measures in from 0 to 50 Rads (0 to .5 Gy) graduated in 2 Rad (.02 Gy) increments and can be read directly by the operator, unlike the DS-50 dosimeter which can only be read by a charger/reader device.
Use under field conditions
The DKP-50A dosimeter was used in the cleanup operations during the Chernobyl disaster of 1986. Under these operational conditions the DKP-50A failed to meet its expected requirements. This was because the dosimeter suffered from very low precision and was not used in large enough quantity for proper for individual monitoring.
Sources Cited
Here are some of the most informative sources that we have used in compiling this information for you. We hope you can find them as useful as we have.
Jane's NBC Protection Equipment 1995-1996, edited by Terry J. Gander, published by Jane's Information Group, Alexandria, VA, 1989
Jane's NBC Protection Equipment 1988-1989, edited by Terry J. Gander, published by Jane's Information Group, Alexandria, VA, 1989
FM-100-2-3 The Soviet Army: Troops, Organization, and Equipment, by Department of the Army, published by US Government Printing Office, Washington D.C., 1984
