How is the performance of a well counter evaluated?

The performance of a well counter is evaluated primarily by using standards with known activity. This approach allows for the measurement of the counter's accuracy and reliability in detecting and quantifying radioactive materials. Known standards provide a reference point against which the well counter’s measurements can be compared. This process is crucial for determining the efficiency, calibration, and overall performance of the equipment, ensuring that it operates correctly and delivers reliable data.

Using known activity standards allows technicians to ascertain the sensitivity of the counter as well as how well it can discriminate against background radiation and any potential interference. Regular calibration with these standards is a required practice to maintain quality control in any facility utilizing a well counter.

While comparing with national standards can provide a broader context for performance evaluation, the fundamental method of directly assessing the counter’s output using known activity is vital for real-time accuracy validation. Visual inspection of components may help identify physical issues but does not evaluate performance reliability quantitatively, and the volume of samples tested does not directly relate to the performance of the counter itself but rather to throughput.