Measuring Scales for refractometers for better accuracy

Refractometers are some of the most listened word that is associated with blood sugar testing. Refractometers are available in many options and have variety of uses like measuring liquid concentrations and sugar levels. Sometimes refractometers are known as “Density meters” or sugar concentration meters depending on their application.

Hand held Refractometers have common measurement scales such as brix and refractive indexs. Refractometers that measure brix are known as Brix Refractometer. While measuring solutions having multiple ingredients the Brix value would total up to the dissolved unit concentration.

Analog Brix Refractometers

Brix refractometers are available in hand-held (analogue) or digital models. Hand held units would be read after putting a sample drop in the prism, while closing the daylight plate and after reading scale while wearing an eyepiece as the instrument would be held up in the eye. Having hand-held/analogue unit would determine the refractive index or brix using “Transparent system” which would be helpful in measurement of light as it passes through the prism and the sample. Having low concentration sample would have larger retraction angles so the boundary line would fall on the lower scale part, whereas having a high concentration sample would be useful for small refraction angle so the boundary line would also appear in the upper scale part.

About Brix Measuring Scale for refractometers

Brix (%) shows concentration percentage of soluble solid content in sample (water solution). The soluble solids content would be total of all solids that get dissolved within the water, such as salts, sugars, acids, protein, etc., also the measurement reading would be total of all these. Basically, Brix (%) would be the number of cane grams that contain cane per 100 gms of cane sugar solution. While measurement of sugar solution, Brix would match well with the total concentration and provide accurate readings. With solutions that contain various other components, when no one would want to know about the total concentration, you must have a chart for conversion.

Digital Brix refractometers

Digital Brix hand held refractometers would make use of “Reflected light systems. While you put a sample on prism and would press start button, the light that gets transmitted from inside the sample will refract and travel in a lot of directions. The reflection angle would be quite proportional in the reflective light index of sample and also the reflected light would be measured through a sensor and also get converted through the brix readout and refractive index.

Due to their versatility, Brix refractometers would be widely used for testing of sugar content in vegetables, wine, fruits and various other products for food. Other than their basic use refractometers are available with a lot of advantages as well. For example, you might have to measure the salinity of saltwater aquarium. In various cases refractometers can also use. The good thing is that you’ve got to carry bulky devices around anytime you want for drinking spring waters! These are portable, hand held-pocket sized refractometers for personal uses. This is quite clear that the device would be useful.

Day by day, the use of hand held refractometers is becoming quite common and these have found applications in medical laboratories, physics centers, and histological laboratories.

Using Refractometers with care and maintenance

Refractometers are quite helpful devices that are required for testing and measuring salinity of various solutions. Basically, these devices are required for measuring refractive index of liquids, glasses as well as translucent solid such as gemstones. Liquids basically get tested for different things such as salinity, fluid concentrations, blood proteins, etc. The measurement for the reduced light speed inside a solution, solid object or gaseous environment is known as refractive index. A shadow line would appear within refractometer and can also get created through lenses as well as prisms. The shadow line is viewed through magnifying eye pieces.

Among the most commonly used refractometers is the handheld refractometer. These basically work on the principle of light passing through a prism that has unique characteristics that gets represented through a scale value. There are two different types of handheld refractometers that you can choose from: digital and analog.

Handheld refractometers

 These are some of the most popular ones as these are simple to use and these also don’t require a source of energy for efficient working. The only flaw that you get with these is that sometimes you get false outcomes when these are used outside specific temperature range.

Digital refractometers

Digital refractometers have gained a lot of popularity as these have been simple to use. To use these, you’ve got to deposit juice in well that would let a light emitting diode (LED) for reflecting light through prism. Once you deposit the juice you’ll have to only wait few seconds and you’ll notice outcomes in your LCD screens.

Additionally, with quick results, these refractometers also deliver accurate outcomes. The only concern is that these refractometers are expensive.

Maintaining refractometers

As like any other device, refractometers require care and maintenance. You’ve got to handle these with care as well as maintenance to make them work efficiently. Here are a few tips on how can you take care of these devices.

v  Environment – These devices shouldn’t be exposed to wet conditions. Once you get through after proper analysis of their storage, you’ve got to dry and clean the prism. A sign that you’ve exposed the analog handheld refractometer in the wet environment is field of view cloudiness. While this happens, you can get in touch with a professional technician for appropriate help.

v  Storage – Additionally for ensuring that you should store handheld refractometer in dry places, you also have to ensure that the storage location remains in constant temperature. Research studies show that storing your refractometer in locations where temperature would fluctuate at around 5 degree Fahrenheit, you’ll risk damaging prism as well as optics.

Irrespective of your reason of use, you’ll find these to be quiet common and this would also be available in a variety of price ranges. Before these have to be used you need to follow the instructions of manufacturers for calibrating the new instruments. Calibration is quite vital to get accurate readings. While you’re ready for testing, you should be sure to use fresh sugar samples in blood to get readings that are concerned about fluid concentrations.

Refractometers and their importance in the modern world

We’ve all heard a term known as refraction during our high school days. By refraction we mean a change in direction of a wave that passes from one medium to another caused through the drastic change in speeds. There’s a reason as to why a stick or any other long straight object would appear bent when submerged half inside the water. For measuring refraction people use a device called as refractometer. A refractometer basically works with the help of its illuminating prism and a refracting prism and thus bends a light source. The first refractometer was developed by German scientist Ernest Abby. In his honor all refractometers showcase his name. However, these unique devices have gone through a drastic series of evolution in their processing and get manufactured although the underlying mechanism through which it can function would essentially remain unchanged.

Modern hand held refractometer devices come with liquid crystal display units and this mechanism simply facilitates measurement reading on devices.

Importance of refractometers

It isn’t much hard for anyone to wonder as to why the refractometers bear a significant use in various situations. Their most common applications can be seen in medical laboratories, physics centers, chemical laboratories and histological laboratories. These are also used by astrophysics, engineers and microbiologists. Apart from the fact that these are usable in different industries, companies, factories and processing plants. Refractometers are quite vital as the measurement of refractive indexes have got diverse uses. For example, you can easily determine whether the honey is good for edible use or has been spoilt. In addition to this use, refractometers prove their worthiness in clinical research, pharmacology, advanced physics, hydrology, food processing, pharmacology, etc.

Uses of refractometers

There are many other uses for refractometers as well as these are available with a lot of advantages. For example, you would be able to measure the salinity of the newly purchased saltwater aquarium. Also with the help of this machine you can measure the proper composition for salt as well as electrolyte for bottled spring water that has just been drank. Perhaps with refractometers you can also measure the right amounts for calcium, potassium and sodium. Here the good thing is that you won’t need to carry around bulky devices anytime you wish to have spring water around. There are pocket sized portable and hand held refractometer devices for personal use. This would be quite clear that the device is typically useful.

Various refractometer devices

Although it was Ernest Abbe who invented these devices, various other companies were also involved in production these indispensible tools of measurement. Some important tools upon which you can have a look are American Optical, Bellingham & Stanley, ERMA, Reichert Brix, ATAGO, Schmidt-Haensch and American Optical.

Refractometers were developed by Abbe for providing accurate, comprehensive and updated information for individuals, who’re looking for learning about the uses and mechanism of Abbe Refractometers. Digital Refractometers make use of “Reflected light system. While you put sample on prism and also press the start button, the light that gets transmitted through the refractometer will refract in different directions. The reflection angle is proportional to the sample’s refractive index.

Handheld Refractometers – Some basic info about these portable machines

A refractometer greatly helps in measuring the refractive index of any substance. Be it fluid or solid material including gem stones, or any other solid substance. It also helps in measuring the speed of light through a fluid medium with great accuracy. The best thing about a refractometer is that you can buy many kinds of refractometers which you can get online as well as in stores which sell laboratory equipment. Following are different types of refractometers you can buy:

Handheld refractometer: 
These refractometers are small and very handy in use. The hand refractometer is an analog lab equipment for measuring a liquid's refractive index. You can take the hand refractometer anywhere, be it a field setting or working from home. Because of its small size, it is easy to carry as well as it is convenient to use in any kind of work setting. It has multiple uses including testing the refractive index of wine or even antifreeze. It is also necessary to use an automatic temperature compensation which will help to efficiently use the refractometer. You can also buy a hand refractometer very easily from online or offline stores. If you buy hand refractometer online, you will get variety in the product as well as prices.

Digital Handheld refractometer: 
The digital refractometer very much works on the same principle as the handheld refractometer. It works on the principle of critical angle. However, the difference is that the digital refractometer is generally more precise and might need more amount of sample to give an accurate rating. It also shows the precise value which is difficult to record in a normal handheld refractometer.

Abbe refractometer: 
This was developed by Ernst Abbe. This was the first laboratory refractometer ever produced by him. It is not easy to carry for field work because of its size but for lab settings it gives very accurate and precise value for the refractive index. It is also a little more difficult to use than the handheld refractometer and the digital refractometer. It is now also available with digital technology. However, the digital version is not capable enough to measure the readings on solid samples, even though it is much more efficient and better than the analog refractometer.

Inline process refractometer: 
As the name suggests, this kind of refractometer is used to measure the readings for continuous measurement of liquid flowing through a tank or even a pipe. It helps in industrial work like refining, food, sugar processing and pharmaceutical industries. In addition to measuring the refractive index, it also measures the temperature of the processing medium. Hence it is widely used in industries and labs.

All of these four refractometers have specific function to serve. One should buy the refractometer as per their requirement. It is important to be aware of different types of refractometers in order to make an informed decision. All of them do measure refractive index but for different substances and different work settings, as mentioned above.

Types of Refractometers

A refractometer greatly helps in measuring the refractive index of any substance. Be it fluid or solid material including gem stones, or any other solid substance. It also helps in measuring the speed of light through a fluid medium with great accuracy. The best thing about a refractometer is that you can buy many kinds of refractometers which you can get online as well as in stores which sell laboratory equipment. Following are different types of refractometers you can buy:

Handheld refractometer: 
These refractometers are small and very handy in use. The hand refractometer is an analog lab equipment for measuring a liquid's refractive index. You can take the hand refractometer anywhere, be it a field setting or working from home. Because of its small size, it is easy to carry as well as it is convenient to use in any kind of work setting. It has multiple uses including testing the refractive index of wine or even antifreeze. It is also necessary to use an automatic temperature compensation which will help to efficiently use the refractometer. You can also buy a hand refractometer very easily from online or offline stores. If you buy hand refractometer online, you will get variety in the product as well as prices.

Digital Handheld refractometer: 
The digital refractometer very much works on the same principle as the handheld refractometer. It works on the principle of critical angle. However, the difference is that the digital refractometer is generally more precise and might need more amount of sample to give an accurate rating. It also shows the precise value which is difficult to record in a normal handheld refractometer.

Abbe refractometer: 
This was developed by Ernst Abbe. This was the first laboratory refractometer ever produced by him. It is not easy to carry for field work because of its size but for lab settings it gives very accurate and precise value for the refractive index. It is also a little more difficult to use than the handheld refractometer and the digital refractometer. It is now also available with digital technology. However, the digital version is not capable enough to measure the readings on solid samples, even though it is much more efficient and better than the analog refractometer.

Inline process refractometer: 
As the name suggests, this kind of refractometer is used to measure the readings for continuous measurement of liquid flowing through a tank or even a pipe. It helps in industrial work like refining, food, sugar processing and pharmaceutical industries. In addition to measuring the refractive index, it also measures the temperature of the processing medium. Hence it is widely used in industries and labs.

All of these four refractometers have specific function to serve. One should buy the refractometer as per their requirement. It is important to be aware of different types of refractometers in order to make an informed decision. All of them do measure refractive index but for different substances and different work settings, as mentioned above.