Page 1
SUGAR/BRIX
REFRACTOMETER
300003
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
SPER
SCIENTIFIC
Page 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction ............................................... 3
Panel Description ...................................... 3
Operating Procedures ............................... 4-5
Temperature Correction ............................ 5
Temperature Correction Table .................. 6
Precautions ............................................... 7
Specifications ............................................ 7
Warranty ................................................... 8
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Introduction: Your portable refractometer is a
precision optical instrument designed to measure
the concentration of sugar in aqueous solutions.
It utilized the standardized Brix scale which is accurate and easy to read. The unit’s lightweight,
ergonomic design makes it convenient for both
laboratory and field applications. It is excellent
for quality assurance, process control requirements, and scientific research.
The refractometer operates on the principle that
as the concentration or density of a solution increases, its refractive index changes proportionately. The refractive angle measured by your refractometer registers on the scale. The larger the
concentration of sugar in solution, the higher the
reading on the scale.
Panel Description:
Cover Plate (1)
Light reflecting window (2)
Refracting prism (3)
Calibration screw (4)
Telescopic barrel (5)
Scale selector (6)
Eyepiece with focus ring (7)
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Page 4
Operating Procedures
1. With the COVER PLATE (1) open, carefully clean
the PRISM (3) and REFLECTING WINDOW (2)
with a soft cloth. Avoid scratching the surfaces.
2. Aim the refractometer toward a light source and
select the 0-50% scale by rotating the SCALE SELECTOR (6).
3. Rotate the EYEPIECE (7) to obtain the clearest
focus.
4. Adjustment of the null (reference point):
A. Open the COVER PLATE (1).
B. Apply a few drops of pure distilled water onto
the REFRACTING PRISM (3).
C. Close the COVER PLATE (1).
D. Turn the CALIBRATION SCREW (4) so that
the dark and light boundary line coincides ex-
actly with the 0% line reading on the scale in
the 0-50% range.
5. Carefully dry the prism platform and the LIGHT
REFLECTING WINDOW (2) with a soft cloth.
6. To test your sugar sample, rotate the SCALE
SELECTOR (6) to select the 0-50% range or the
50-80% range.
7. Place a few drops of the test solution on the prism
and close the COVER PLATE (1) so the solution
spreads evenly on the prism.
8. Aim the light reflecting windows toward the light
source and focus the eyepiece on the boundary
line of the light and dark hemispheres.
9. The boundary line indicates the concentration of
sugar in the test sample.
10. If the boundary line is too low or too high to be
read on the scale you selected, rotate the SCALE
SELECTOR (6) to the other scale.
0-50%
scale
-50
-45
-40
-35
-30
-25
-15
-10
-5
-0
50-80%
scale
85—
80—
75—
70—
65—
60—
55—
50—
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Page 5
11. After use, clean the refracting and illuminating
prisms with a soft cloth to remove any surface
residue.
12. The temperature of the null reference liquid should
be at the same temperature as the sample solution. For variations in temperature during use, the
null point should be recalibrated once every 30
minutes.
Temperature Correction
Your refractometer is designed to operate with distilled
water and sample solutions at a standard temperature
of 20°C (68°F). To compensate for temperature conditions other than 20°C, use the Temperature Correction Table on Page 6.
Add to the reading when the temperature is above
20°C. Example: Actual temperature is 30°C. The
boundary line reads a concentration of 15%. Refer to
the Temperature Correction Table and locate the 15%
concentration column. Follow this column down to the
row that corresponds to the temperature of 30°C. At
the 0.78 correction point, the actual concentration percent is 15% + 0.78%, or 15.78%.
Subtract from the reading when the temperature is below 20°C Example: Actual temperature is 16°C. The
boundary line reads a concentration of 40%. Refer to
the Temperature Correction Table and locate the 40%
concentration column. Follow this column down to the
row that corresponds to the temperature of 16°C. At
the 0.30 correction point, the actual concentration percent is 40% - 0.30%, or 39.70%.
If the null liquid (distilled water) is the same temperature as the test sample and the null line of distilled water reads 0%, it is not necessary to refer to the correction table.
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Page 6
0.79
0.71
0.63
0.55
0.48
0.40
0.32
0.24
0.16
0.08
0.08
0.16
0.24
0.32
0.40
0.48
0.56
0.64
0.73
0.81
0.78
0.70
0.63
0.55
0.47
0.40
0.32
0.24
0.16
0.08
0.08
0.16
0.24
0.32
0.40
0.48
0.56
0.64
0.73
0.81
0.76
0.69
0.61
0.54
0.46
0.39
0.31
0.23
0.16
0.08
0.08
0.16
0.24
0.32
0.40
0.48
0.56
0.64
0.73
0.81
0.75
0.68
0.61
0.54
0.46
0.39
0.31
0.23
0.16
0.08
0.08
0.16
0.24
0.32
0.40
0.48
0.56
0.64
0.73
0.81
0.74
0.67
0.60
0.53
0.45
0.38
0.30
0.23
0.15
0.08
0.08
0.16
0.24
0.31
0.40
0.48
0.56
0.64
0.73
0.81
0.73
0.66
0.59
0.52
0.45
0.37
0.30
0.23
0.15
0.08
0.08
0.16
0.24
0.31
0.40
0.48
0.56
0.64
0.73
0.81
0.72
0.65
0.58
0.51
0.44
0.37
0.30
0.22
0.15
0.08
0.08
0.15
0.23
0.31
0.40
0.48
0.56
0.64
0.73
0.81
0.70
0.64
0.57
0.50
0.43
0.36
0.29
0.22
0.15
0.08
0.08
0.15
0.23
0.31
0.40
0.48
0.56
0.64
0.73
0.81
0.68
0.62
0.56
0.49
0.42
0.35
0.28
0.21
0.14
0.07
0.08
0.15
0.23
0.31
0.39
0.47
0.55
0.63
0.72
0.80
0.66
0.60
0.54
0.48
0.41
0.34
0.28
0.21
0.14
0.07
0.08
0.15
0.23
0.30
0.38
0.46
0.55
0.63
0.72
0.80
Concentration(%)
0.64
0.58
0.52
0.46
0.40
0.34
0.27
0.21
0.14
0.07
0.07
0.15
0.22
0.30
0.38
0.45
0.54
0.62
0.71
0.79
TEMPERATURE CORRECTION TABLE
0.61
0.55
0.50
0.44
0.39
0.33
0.26
0.20
0.14
0.07
0.07
0.14
0.22
0.29
0.37
0.44
0.53
0.61
0.69
0.78
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70
0.58
0.54
0.50
10
0.53
0.46
0.46
11
0.48
0.45
0.42
12
0.42
0.40
0.37
13
0.37
0.35
0.33
14
0.31
0.29
0.27
15
0.25
0.24
0.22
16
0.19
0.13
0.18
0.13
0.17
0.12
17
18
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0.06
0.06
0.06
19
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
20
Temperature °C
0.07
0.07
0.06
21
0.14
0.13
0.13
22
0.21
0.20
0.19
23
0.28
0.27
0.26
24
0.36
0.35
0.33
25
0.43
0.42
0.40
26
0.52
0.50
0.48
Add to reading Subtract from reading
27
0.60
0.57
0.56
28
0.68
0.66
0.64
29
0.77
0.74
0.72
30
Page 7
Precautions
With reasonable care, your refractometer’s reliability,
precision and optical performance will not change.
• Never submerge the unit, and do not let liquid to
seep into the unit’s body.
• Clean the refractometer after each use with a soft
cotton cloth. Do not scratch surface of the prisms.
• Store in a dry, clean, and non-corrosive environ-
ment.
• Avoid strong shocks.
Specifications
Measuring Range 0-80%
Resolution 1%
Accuracy ±1%
Size 7x 1 1/2”
Weight 19 oz
Accessories Screwdriver, Carrying
Case, Transfer Pipette,
Distilled Water, Instruction
Manual, Registration Card
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Page 8
WARRANTY
Sper Scientific warrants this product against defects
in materials and workmanship for a period of five (5)
years from the date of purchase, and agrees to repair
or replace any defective unit without charge. If your
model has since been discontinued, an equivalent
Sper Scientific product will be substituted if available.
This warranty does not cover damage resulting from
accident, misuse, or abuse of the product. In order to
obtain warranty service, ship the unit postage prepaid
to:
SPER
SCIENTIFIC LTD.
7720 E. Redfield Suite 7
Scottsdale, Arizona 85260
WWW.SPERSCIENTIFIC.COM
SERVICE@SPERSCIENTIFIC.COM
Please Note: The defective unit must be accompanied
by a description of the problem and your return
address. Please be sure to return your warranty
registration card within ten (10) days of purchase.
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