DAILY INSPECTION INSTRUCTIONS
1Remote control inspection: Uncoil the remote controls at the site. Inspect the control crank to assure all screws are present and tightened and that the crank handle is properly secured. If the control crank is equipped with an odometer, zero the odometer while the control cable is fully retracted. Verify the odometer is fully functional.
Ensure the instructions on the control crank's label are legible. These instructions are important to safety, especially when assistants are being trained or during an emergency. Without the instructions it is conceivable a radiographer could become confused as to which direction the crank handle must be turned to retract or expose the source.
Ensure the brake is operational. Resistance should be felt while rotating the crank handle with the brake in the ON position. Inspect the control conduit fittings to verify they are secured to the control crank.
2Control conduit inspection: Inspect the control conduit where it is swaged onto the fittings that mount on the control crank. There should be no evidence of cracks or breaks in the yellow PVC sheath. Also, look for bulges in that area that result from repeated flexing.
Visually inspect the entire length of both control conduits looking for dents, cuts and thermally damaged areas. During this inspection, the radiographer should use his hands to feel for inward dents. Cuts and melted areas found on the control conduits should be sealed with PVC tape to prevent against the ingress of water.
Inspect the control conduits where they are swaged to the swage fittings that are mounted to the connecting plug assembly. There should be no evidence of cracks, breaks or bulges in the yellow PVC sheath.
Remove the protective cover from the connecting plug assembly. Inspect the connecting plug assembly to verify the movable jaws are not excessively loose and the connector collar pins are not excessively loose or bent. Check the control sheath swage fittings to verify they are not loose where they are joined to the connecting plug assembly.
3Control cable inspection: Inspect the control cable connector as it protrudes out of the connecting plug assembly. The control cable connector should not be bent or at an angle exceeding 15 degrees relative to the control cable centerline. If a control cable connector is repeatedly bent at an angle greater than 15 degrees, damage to the control cable may be introduced by straightening the bend. Inspect the control cable (male) connector to verify that the stem and ball of the connector is not bent or cracked. Using hand pressure, attempt to twist the control cable connector from the control cable. If the control cable connector can be twisted using hand pressure or appears bent or cracked, remove from service and label as defective.
Pull approximately 12in (30.5cm) of control cable out of the connecting plug assembly and inspect for the following anomalies directly behind the connector:
●Cuts, breaks, nicks or fraying of the spiral windings of the control cable.
●Areas with kinks or permanent bends.
●Rust (a red oxide) on the inner core of the control cable.
●Uniformity of the spacing between the outer spiral windings. Also check for flattened areas and wear.
●Bend the connector section of control cable back towards itself and release the cable to test for flexibility or ‘spring’ of the control cable. A cable that has been subjected to the flexibility test and remains in the bent position after the test provides an indication of internal corrosion and must be removed from service.
●Verify that a light coating of
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