Sper scientific 300033, 300034, 300035, 300036 Instruction Manual

DIGITAL REFRACTOMETER

300033, 300034, 300035, 300036

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

CONTENTS

Title Page

1. Introduction ................................................... 2

2. Panel Description .......................................... 3

3. Operating Instructions

3-A. General Measurement......................... 4

3-B. Changing the Temperature Scale ....... 4

3-C. ATC ..................................................... 4

3-D. Calibration Procedures........................ 4

3-E. Scale Selection.................................... 5

3-F. Range Limit Alert................................. 5

3-G. Zero Checking ..................................... 5

3-H. Battery Replacement........................... 6

3-I. Precautions ......................................... 6

3-J. Erratic Readings .................................. 6

4. Specifications ................................................ 7

5. Warranty .......................................... Back Cover

1. INTRODUCTION

This high precision instrument line is designed especially for
laboratory accuracy. The digital readout eliminates
uncertainties, while the water resistant design facilitates clean
ups and protects the electronics from moist environments. All
models display sample temperature in addition to their other
parameters. Refractometers operate on the principle that, as
the concentration or density of a solution increases, its
refractive index changes proportionately. The larger the
concentration of dissolved substances in the solution, the
higher the reading.

Features include a wide measurement range, automatic
temperature control (ATC), °C/°F selectable scales, high/low
range limit alerts, auto shut off, and a low battery indicator.

2

2. PANEL DESCRIPTION

1. High/Low Range Limit Alert

2. READ and Enter

3. ZERO and ►

4. SCALE and ▼

5. FUNC and Y/N

6. ON and OFF

7. LCD

8. Prism plate

9. Prism

10. Cover

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

FACEPLATE &
LCD DISPLAY

1. Prism Temperature

2. ATC (activated
when displayed)

3. High Limit Alert

4. Low Limit Alert

5. Low Battery

6. Measurement Value

6

7
8

1 2 3 4 5

76.4°F ATC H-Limit L-Limit

-1.8.8.8.8%

▼

Brix% nD

7. Calibration Error

8. Scale Indicator

READ ZERO SCALES FUNC

ENTER

3

◄ ▼

nD

ON/OFF

Y/N

3. OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

3-A. General Measurement

•

To avoid damage, it is important to clean the PRISM
WINDOW before and after use.

•

Press the ON/OFF button to turn the Digital Refractometer
on. The unit will automatically shut off after about 3
minutes of inactivity.

•

Perform the Calibration Procedures (below).

•

With the unit on, fill the PRISM WINDOW with the sample
to be measured, then close the COVER.

•

Press the READ button immediately to ensure accurate
readings. Delays may cause the sample to evaporate.

3-B. Changing the Temperature Scale: With the unit on,
press the FUNC button as needed until l.P C (or F ) is
displayed. Press the SCALE button to view the temperature
in Fahrenheit (or Celsius). Press the READ button to exit.

3-C. Automatic Temperature Compensation (ATC): This
feature makes manual temperature correction unnecessary.
However, to obtain precise readings the sample and the unit
should be at similar ambient temperatures. ATC appears on
the LCD when this function is activated. To set the ATC
function, press the FUNC button as needed until ALC.Y (or n)
appears. Press the SCALE button to toggle between on or
off. Press the READ button twice to exit.

3-D. Calibration Procedures

•

Clean the PRISM WINDOW before and after every use.

•

Fill the PRISM WINDOW with a standard solution such as
distilled or deionized water. The ideal temperature of the
solution and the unit should be 65°~72°F (18°~22°C).

•

Close the COVER.

•

Press the ON/OFF button to turn the unit on.

•

Press the ZERO button for 3 seconds.

•

When the procedure is complete, CAL will be displayed.

•

To check the nD value, press the ZERO button once.

•

This data can be viewed at any time to show the last
calibration value.

•

A flashing crosshair symbol is displayed when the
calibration solution falls outside the accepted range.

4

3-E. Scale Selection: Press the SCALE button to toggle
though the scales. The ▼ symbol indicates the active scale.

3-F. High/Low Range Limit Alert: A red light will flash
when the measurement is outside of the range limit.

•

Setting the High Range Limit Alert

•

With the unit on, press the FUNC button as needed until
H.L Y and the flashing H-Limit icon is displayed.

•

Press the READ button and the last digit flashes.

•

Use the ▼ and the ◄ buttons to set the high range limit.

•

Press the READ button activate the function.

•

Press the FUNC button as needed to return to the
measurement screen.

•

Deactivating the High Range Limit Alert

•

Press the FUNC button as needed until H.L n appears.

•

Press the Read button to deactivate the function.

•

Press the FUNC button as needed to return to the
measurement screen.

•

Setting the Low Range Limit Alert

•

With the unit on, press the FUNC button as needed until
L.L Y and the flashing L-Limit icon is displayed.

•

Press the READ button and the last digit flashes.

•

Use the ▼ and the ◄ buttons to set the low range limit.

•

Press the READ button activate the function.

•

Press the FUNC button as needed to return to the
measurement screen.

•

Deactivating the Low Range Limit Alert

•

Press the FUNC button as needed until L.L n appears.

•

Press the Read button to deactivate the function.

•

Press the FUNC button as needed to return to the
measurement screen.

3-G. Zero Checking: Perform Zero Checking if the unit has
sustained a shock, is subjected to temperature changes, or
seems inaccurate.

•

Fill the prism window with a standard solution. This should
be the same temperature as the solution to be tested.

•

With the unit on, press the ZERO button. A refractive index
between 1.3329~1.3331 indicates that the unit is accurate.

•

If the unit is out of range, a flashing crosshair symbol
will be displayed, indicating that recalibration is required.

•

Press any button to exit this function.

5

3-H. Battery Replacement

•

When the battery is low, this symbol will be displayed:

•

Open the back cover to replace the 9V battery.

•

Reinsert the back cover, making sure it is properly seated.
A built-in gasket protects the circuitry from spills.

Note: The battery provided with your instrument is primarily
intended to check that the unit operates properly. The battery
itself is not guaranteed and should be replaced when the low
battery symbol is displayed.

3-I. Precautions

•

Protect the LCD from exposure to strong light sources.

•

Avoid prolonged use or storage in extreme temperatures.

•

Clean the prism and window surfaces before and after use
with a soft wet clean cloth or paper towel. Other surfaces
may be cleaned with a mild liquid dish detergent and water.

•

Do not use in corrosive environments.

•

Do not submerge the unit.

•

This precision measuring instrument contains delicate
optics and electronics. Handle with care and do not drop.

•

To avoid electric shock, make sure the battery compart­ment is covered and do not disassemble the unit.

3-J. Erratic Readings

If the readings are significantly above or below the expected
results, consider the following:

•

Sample contains more than one dissolved solid. For
example, if the sample contains both salt and sugar, a Brix
refractometer will not display the true sugar content
because the salt content will skew the brix measurement.

•

When diluting samples, be sure to use a pure solution such
as distilled water.

•

Sample contains suspended solids. Filter and thoroughly
mix the sample before testing.

•

Perform a calibration.

•

Replace the battery.

•

Outside light can cause erratic readings, make sure to
close the COVER on the PRISM during measurement.

6

4. SPECIFICATIONS

Models Type Range Res. Accuracy

300033

300034

300035

300036

Temperature

(All Models)

Brix 45.0~95.0% 0.1% ±0.2%

nD 1.4098~1.5318 0.0001 ±0.001

Brix 0.0~95.0% 0.1% ±0.2%

nD 1.330~1.5318 0.0001 ±0.001

Brix 0.0~60.0% 0.1% ±0.2%

Salinity 0.0~28.0% 0.1% ±0.1%

Salinity

PPT

0~280 1 ±1

nD 1.3330~1.4419 0.0001 ±0.001

USG 1.000~1.090 0.001 ±0.002

Serum

Protein

0.0~12.0 0.1 ±0.1

nD 1.330~1.4098 0.0001 ±0.001

0~40°C 0.1°C ±1°C

-32~104°F 0.1°F ±2°F

Power Supply: 9V Battery (apx. 5000 tests/battery)

Weight: 18 oz (500 g)

Dimensions: 7" x 4" x 2½" (180 x 100 x 65 mm)

Operating Temp: 41°~95°F (5°~35°C)

Storage Temp: 14°~122°F (-10°~50°C)

Included:

Protective Case, 9V Battery, Distilled
Water, and a Transfer-Pipette

7

1 YEAR METER WARRANTY

Sper Scientific warrants this product against defects in
materials and workmanship for a period of one (1) year 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 probes,
batteries, or damage resulting from accident, misuse, or
abuse of the product. In order to obtain warranty service,
simply ship the unit postage prepaid to:

SPER SCIENTIFIC LTD.

7720 East Redfield, Suite 7

Scottsdale, Arizona 85260

[phone]

[e-mail]

www.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.

Rev. 3/10/2011