An overview of Refractometers

A refractometer is a device generally used in laboratories for checking the contents of sugar in any liquid. Right from beer manufacturing units to blood checking laboratories this device is widely used for different purposes across the world. This device uses a prism for measuring the quantity and quality of sugar in the liquid. It is generally a complete blend of highly polished optical glass, mirrors and a prism that are covered with an exclusive piece of metal, rubber and plastic. Once the sample is placed beneath the daylight plate, the user can easily observe the percentage of bricks and Baume displaying on the reading scale by using the monocular i.e. the eyepiece of the device. And when the refractometers are placed in the natural light, it displays the accurate percentage of sugar as well as protein plasma in the liquids like blood, beer, urine etc. Thus, this is called a refractometer and it is utmost construction.

Refractometers are considered as the simplest form of prisms that are observed in the natural light like the sunlight. Just like prisms react different with different lights, refractometers also do the same by giving a reading on a scale depending on the amount of the sugar available in the liquid sample. The users can see the results in the decimal points that reflect the difference between the quantities of sugar in accord with the quantity of distilled water. For industries that are engaged in manufacturing high quality of wine and beers are liable to use this kind of products. In this way the industries can utilize this important device for measuring the quality of their brewed products.

While using a refractometer it is very important to calibrate the device in an accurate manner. Calibrating the device in an accurate manner helps in providing accurate results for the users. And for getting accurate results all you need is to put two three drops of water on the daylight plate of the device. After putting the water all you need is to close the lip of the plate so that the water spreads across the entire surface of the prism without any air bubbles and dry spots. Then you need to hold the meter in the direction of natural light, simultaneously looking into the eye piece. All you see is the graduations in the circular field that displays the accurate results in the form of scale. Thus, in this way, you can easily calibrate the device just by simple steps.

Jackson Harry is a marketing manager for refractometers.com.au and he is working since couple of years