On Jul 11, 2:43 am, "mc" wrote:
Can anybody tell me about the failure modes of a (cheap Russian) Geiger
counter? Is leakage of the tube (i.e., continuous conduction rather than
waiting for ionizing particles) a common problem?

(This is not the popular Kvarts DRSB-01; it's a different one.)

Geiger counter tubes are usually for X-ray, Gamma or Beta radiation,
relatively few will detect Alpha radiation. Those that do have very
thin windows at the ionization chamber such that the large Alpha
particle (Helium nucleus) can pass through it and be detected. Such GM
tubes are delicate and usually supplied with little covers for when
Alpha detection is not required and so as to protect the mica window.
Most tubes are filled with a mix of inert gas and a halogen gas... the
latter can sometimes attack the seal around the mica. So, if your GM
tube has a mica window, that would be the typical failure mode. If
not, the wire-lead seals sometimes fail.

http://www.imagesco.com/articles/geiger/01.html

Some basic information here.

Peter Wieck
Wyncote, PA