IEEE N42.17A-2003

N42.17A-2003 is a nuclear engineering standard focused on portable instrumentation used in normal environmental conditions. It provides a technical basis for defining how these instruments should perform, helping users and buyers evaluate suitability, consistency, and expected behavior in routine service. For laboratories, field measurement teams, and facility operators, the standard supports clearer procurement and testing decisions by tying portable instrumentation to a defined environmental context.

N42.17A-2003 overview

This standard addresses portable instrumentation within the scope of nuclear engineering, with attention to use in normal environmental conditions. It is relevant where portable detectors, measurement devices, or related instruments must operate predictably outside specialized containment or extreme environments. N42.17A-2003 helps establish common expectations for technical performance and practical use, making it easier to compare products and confirm that an instrument is appropriate for the intended measurement task.

Typical use cases

N42.17A-2003 is typically used when selecting or evaluating portable instruments for radiation-related surveys, routine checks, and field measurements in settings where normal ambient conditions are expected. It may support work in laboratories, maintenance programs, facility inspection activities, and other nuclear engineering workflows that rely on handheld or transportable equipment. The standard is especially useful when teams need a reference for consistent instrument behavior during everyday monitoring and verification tasks.

Why this standard matters

For organizations working with portable nuclear instrumentation, this standard helps reduce uncertainty in design and purchasing decisions. It supports more consistent expectations for performance under normal conditions, which can improve safety, comparability, and confidence in measurement results. N42.17A-2003 can also be useful during specification writing, acceptance checks, and compliance reviews, where clear technical criteria help limit risk and avoid mismatched equipment.

• Portable instrumentation requirements
• Normal environmental conditions
• Nuclear engineering applications
• Performance and acceptance checks
• Procurement and compliance reference