We offer four types of meters you can hire to measure radiation in and around your home.
Which meter should I hire?
| I want to measure: | Magnetic field meter | Ionising radiation meter | Radon meter | UV index meter |
| radiation from power lines | Yes | No | No | No |
| radiation from substations | Yes | No | No | No |
| radiation from electrical appliances (e.g. toaster) | Yes | No | No | No |
| an ionising radiation source | No | Yes | No | No |
| radon | No | No | Yes | No |
| ultraviolet radiation from the sun | No | No | No | Yes |
| sun protection levels (e.g. the effectiveness of a shade sail) | No | No | No | Yes |
| radiofrequency radiation* (e.g. wi-fi, smart meters, mobile phone towers) | No | No | No | No |
*Radiofrequency radiation requires complex measurement and ARPANSA does not hire a meter to measure this type of radiation. Should you wish to undertake this type of measurement please consult a NATA accredited consultant.
Magnetic field meter
You can hire a magnetic field meter from us to measure the strength of magnetic fields generated by the passage of mains electricity. The magnetic field meter is a hand held device with a digital display that reads in units of milligauss (mG). The magnetic field meter is suitable measuring magnetic fields from electrical infrastructure (e.g. powerlines, substations) and electrical appliances (e.g. toaster, hair dryer).
Cost: return express post delivery $100.00
Hire duration: five days
Read more about measuring magnetic fields and how to use the meter.
Ionising radiation meter
You can hire a meter from us to measure ionising radiation around your home. The Ionising Radiation Meter is a handheld device with a digital display that measures gamma radiation dose and dose rate.
Radiation dose is measured in units of microsieverts (µSv). Radiation dose rate is measured in units of microsieverts per hour (µSv/h).
Cost: return express post delivery $100.00
Hire duration: five days
Order an ionising radiation meter
User guide for the Ionising Radiation Meter (updated September 2016):
UV index meter
You can hire a UV index meter to measure the intensity of ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. The UV meters are a great way to measure the sun protection of your shade structures such as window shades and awnings, and also your car windscreen. You can also measure some of the following sun protection structures: shade sail, shade marquee, gazebo hut, pergola, beach tent, camping tent, umbrella, skylight, and shady tree.
The meter is a hand held device with a digital display that displays readings of the UV index.
Disclaimer: the UV index meters ARPANSA supplies are not suitable for estimating the total dose resulting from repeated exposures of UV over a period of time. This is because the UV changes over the course of the day. The UV index meters are, however, suitable for spot checks, that is if a measurement is done at a particular location and particular time of day.
Cost: return express post delivery $100.00
Hire duration: five days
User guide for the UV index meter (updated March 2018):
User guide for the UV index meter
Radon meter
You can hire a radon meter from us to measure the indoor radon concentration within your home. For an accurate measurement, the meter will need to be left untouched in each room for seven days.
The meter has a digital display which shows the radon concentration in the units of Becquerel per cubic metre (Bq·m-3).
Cost: return express post delivery $100.00
Hire duration: 30 days
User guide for the Radon Meter (updated November 2018):
