KERN ORA 3AA-AB Beer Refractometer Analogues User Manual

June 12, 2024
KERN

KERN-LOGO

KERN ORA 3AA-AB Beer Refractometer Analogues

KERN-ORA-3AA-AB-Beer-Refractometer-Analogues-PRODUCT

Product Information

Model Measuring Range Scales Dimensions Net Weight
KERN ORA 3AA/AB 0-32% Brix, 1.000-1.130 SG wort 0.2% Brix, 0.001 SG wort
178x40x40mm 0.145kg
KERN ORA 4AA/AB Not specified Example scale: ORA 3AA/AB 189x40x40mm

0.155kg

Product Usage Instructions

General Information

The refractometer is a measuring instrument used to determine the refractive index of transparent substances in the liquid or solid state. It observes the behavior of light as it passes from a prism with known properties to the substance being tested. It is important to use the refractometer only for its intended purposeand not for any other purposes, as it may be hazardous. The manufacturer will not be liable for any damages caused by improper use.

Warranty

The warranty will be void if:

  • The instructions in the operating manual are not followed
  • The refractometer is used for purposes other than those described
  • The device housing is modified or opened
  • Mechanical damage and/or damage resulting from media, liquids, or natural wear and tear occur

Basic Safety Information

It is important to follow the instructions in the operating manual. Even if you have prior experience with KERN refractometer, it is recommended to carefully read through the operating manual.  Please note that every language version includes anon-authoritative translation, and the original German document is the definitive version.

Warning

Acids should not come into contact with skin or eyes. If acid comes into contact with skin, flush with copious amounts of water and shower if larger areas of skin are affected. If acid comes into contact with eyes, keep the eyelid open and flush the eye with running lukewarm water from the outer corner to the inner corner for at least 15 minutes. Then consult a doctor or ophthalmologist immediately. Thoroughly clean the refractometer after each use.

Technical data

Models KERN| Measuring range and Scales| Scale graduation Accuracy| Dimensions

Product

| Net Weight
---|---|---|---|---
Ora 3AA/AB| 0-32% Brix

1.000-1.130 SG wort

| 0,2% Brix

0.001 SG wort

| 178x40x40mm| 0.145kg
Ora 4AA/AB| 0-18° Plato| 0.1° P| 189x40x40mm| 0.155kg

KERN-ORA-3AA-AB-Beer-Refractometer-Analogues-fig-2

Description

  1. Prism cover
  2. Prism surface
  3. Adjustment screw
  4. Eyepiece with rubber eyeshade
  5. Diopter adjustment ring
  6. Optical tubes with rubber grip
  7. Storage box
  8. Pipette
  9. Refractometer
  10. Calibration liquid (Distilled water)
  11. Adjustment tool
  12. Cleaning cloth

 General information

Intended use:

The refractometer is a measuring instrument for determining the refractive index of transparent substances in the liquid or the solid state. It is used to observe the behaviour of light as it passes from a prism with known properties to the substance being tested. Use of the refractometer for other purposes is contrary to its intended use and may be hazardous. The manufacturer shall not be liable for any damages caused by improper use.

Warranty
The warranty shall be void in the event of:

  • Failure to observe the instructions in the operating manual
  • Use for purposes other than those described
  • Modifications or opening the device housing
  • Mechanical damage and/or damage resulting from media, liquids, natural wear and tear

Basic safety information

Follow the instructions in the operating manual

  • Carefully read through the operating manual even if you have prior experience with KERN refractometers.
  • Every language version includes a non-authoritative translation. The original German document is the definitive version.

Warning

  • Do not let acids come into contact with skin or eyes. If acid comes into contact with skin, flush with copious amounts of water. Shower if larger areas of skin are affected.
  • If acid comes into contact with eyes, keep the eyelid open and flush the eye with running lukewarm water from the outer corner to the inner corner. Flush eyes for at least 15 minutes. Then consult a doctor or ophthalmologist immediately.
  • Thoroughly clean the refractometer after each use.
  • The refractometer must not be exposed to extreme temperatures, high mechanical stresses, strong direct sunlight or high humidity.
  • This refractometer is not a toy. Keep out of reach of children.
  • Make sure that you will not be hit by anything else while you are using the refractometer, as this could cause serious eye injuries
  • The rubber eyeshade may cause irritation when in prolonged contact with the skin. If this happens, consult your doctor.
  • Do not touch the lenses with your fingers.

Supplied items

After unpacking and before using the device for the first time, check that all listed parts have been supplied. Replace damaged or faulty parts immediately and do not put them into operation.

  • Refractometer
  • Storage box
  • Pipette
  • Adjustment tool
  • Cleaning cloth
  • Calibration liquid (Distilled water)

Before the first use

Remove the protective film (if present) from the prism surface [2] and check that the rubber eye-cup [4] is fitted correctly.

Use/measurement

The refractometer can be used to quickly and accurately determine the refractive index of transparent substances, liquid or solid ones. To ensure correct measure-ment, the measuring device should be adjusted before measurements are carried out. Please make sure your hands are dry before handling the measuring device.

Zero point calibration

  • Hold up the refractometer against a sufficiently bright light source and look through the eyepiece [5], holding the rubber eyeshade [4] closely against your eye/glasses.
  • Rotate the eyepiece [5] to adjust it for your eyesight, until you can see the scale sharply.
  • Open the prism cover [1].
  • Thoroughly clean the prism [2] and the underside of the prism cover [1] using a soft cloth or soft paper (with alcohol if necessary) and wipe dry.
  • Now apply a few drops of the calibration liquid [10] onto the prism surface [2].
  • Close the prism cover [1]. The amount of fluid should be sufficient to moisten most of the prism surface. There should not be any air bubbles between the measuring prism [2] and prism cover [1].
  • Wait about 30 seconds to allow the temperatures of the fluid and prism to equalise.
  • Look through the eyepiece [4] while pointing the refractometer‘s prism surface [2] at a bright light source.
  • Through the eyepiece [4], you will see a bright and a blue field. The boundary line between them shows the measured value on the scale which is also visible through the eyepiece [4].
  • Use the supplied adjustment tool [11] to turn the adjustment screw [3] behind the prism surface [2] (under the rubber cap), and adjust the scale so that the measuring device is optimally set up by moving the boundary line upwards or downwards. Calibration value ORA 3AA/3AB: 0 % (Brix) / 1.000 (SG wort) Calibration value ORA 4AA/4AB: 0 °P (Plato)
  • Repeat step 4 (cleaning).

Important:
The ambient/room temperature and the sample temperature influ-ence the refractometer measuring result. The scales of the refractometer models, which have “AB” in its name, are designed for an ambient temperature of +20 °C! If the measurements are carried out at a temperature other than +20 °C, the results must be correspondingly corrected. A correction table can be found in the annex, Point 14. Refractometer models, which have “AA” in its name, are equipped with an automatic temperature compensation (ATC). Between +10°C and +30°C measurement differences due to temperature changes are automatically compensated.

Additional advice

It is important that the samples being measured are representative samples. For samples that evaporate easily, measurements should be carried out quickly. The samples should be at the same temperature as the measuring instrument in order to achieve an accurate result.

Measuring procedure

  • Make sure your hands are dry before handling the refractometer.
  • Open the prism cover [1] and use the supplied pipette [8] to apply a few drops of the sample liquid [8] onto the prism surface [2]. Close the prism cover [1]. Spread the liquid evenly by pressing down on the prism cover [1] and elimi-nate any air bubbles present.⇨
  • Hold the device horizontally and wait about 30 seconds (for optimal tempera-ture equalisation between the sample and device).
  • View the measurement scale through the eyepiece [4]. Point the prism surface [2] of the refractometer at a bright light source while doing this.
  • Rotate the adjustment ring [5] on the eyepiece [4] to adjust the focus.
  • The boundary line will move on the measurement scale depending on the concentration. This bright/dark boundary line shows the result on the scale.
  • If the temperature deviates from +20 °C and a refractometer without ATC is used, correct the measured result using the corresponding value from the temperature correction table [13].
  • Carefully clean the supplied pipette [8] and the refractometer after carrying out the measurement.

Important:
After every measurement, use a lint-free, absorbent cloth to remove the fluids from the prism surface [2] and prism cover [1]. Then carefully clean the prism and prism cover using a cloth moistened with water or if necessary alcohol, and dry both parts using a soft, dry and lint-free cloth. Avoid rubbing the prism [2].

Cleaning and maintenance

  • Clean the refractometer using a soft, lint-free cloth moistened with either water or, if necessary, alcohol. Do not use any aggressive or abrasive cleaning agents. Never immerse the device in water or hold it under running water. Never handle the device with wet or damp hands.
  • Never touch the measuring prism [2] with hard tools made from plastic, wood, rubber, metal, glass etc. Hard objects can quickly damage the relatively soft prism glass, resulting in measurement errors.
  • The refractometer is maintenance-free.
  • Cleaning should be carried out immediately before and after each use of the refrac-tometer to maximise its life and optimise measurement results.

Storage

Store the refractometer in a dry, non-corrosive environment, preferably between 10 °C and 30 °C.

Service

After reading this operating manual, if you have any questions about setting up
or using the refractometer, or if any unexpected problem occurs, please contact your dealer. The device housing may only be opened by trained service technicians authorised by KERN.

Disposal

The packaging consists of environmentally friendly materials which can be disposed of via local recycling facilities. The device and storage box should be disposed of by the operator in accordance with applicable national or regional regulations at the place of use.

Additional information

The product may differ slightly from the illustrations. Avoid exposing the refracto-meter to direct sunlight. Never bring the refractometer into contact with solvents.

Brix to refractive index (nD) conversion table

Data from „ICUMSA“ International Commission for Uniform Methods of Sugar Analysis, at 20 °C and 589 nm wavelength.

Refractive

BRIX index

% nD

| 60                     1.44193

61                     1.44420

62                     1.44650

63                     1.44881

64                     1.45113

65                     1.45348

66                     1.45584

67                     1.45822

68                     1.46061

69                     1.46303

70                     1.46546

71                     1.46792

72                     1.47037

73                     1.47285

74                     1.47535

75                     1.47787

76                     1.48040

77                     1.48295

78                     1.48552

79                       1.4881

80                     1.49071

81                     1.49333

82                     1.49597

83                     1.49862

84                     1.50129

85                     1.50398

---|---
Refractive

BRIX index

% nD

| 30                     1.38115

31                     1.38296

32                     1.38478

33                     1.38661

34                     1.38846

35                     1.39032

36                     1.39220

37                     1.39409

38                     1.39600

39                     1.39792

40                     1.39986

41                     1.40181

42                     1.40378

43                     1.40576

44                     1.40776

45                     1.40978

46                     1.41181

47                     1.41385

48                     1.41592

49                     1.41799

50                     1.42009

51                     1.42220

52                     1.42432

53                     1.42647

54                     1.42862

55                     1.43080

56                     1.43299

57                     1.43520

58                     1.43743

59                     1.43967

Refractive

BRIX index

% nD

| 0                          1.33299

1                          1.33442

2                          1.33586

3                          1.33732

4                          1.33879

5                          1.34026

6                          1.34175

7                          1.34325

8                          1.34476

9                          1.34629

10                       1.34782

11                       1.34937

12                       1.35093

13                       1.35250

14                       1.35408

15                       1.35568

16                       1.35729

17                       1.35891

18                       1.36054

19                       1.36218

20                       1.36384

21                       1.36551

22                       1.36720

23                       1.36889

24                       1.37060

25                       1.37233

26                       1.37406

27                       1.37582

28                       1.37758

29                       1.37936

 Annex

Table 1: International Temperature Correction Table for °Brix (% sugar gradient) Correct the result by the following values (refractometer must be correctly adjusted at 20 °C).

 | % Brix reading

0.0  5.0

|
---|---|---
10.0| 15.0| 20.0| 25.0| 30.0| 35.0| 40.0| 45.0| 50.0| 55.0| 60.0| 65.0| 70.0| 75.0| 80.0| 85.0

Temperature °C

| 10.0

11.0

12.0

13.0

14.0

15.0

16.0

17.0

18.0

19.0

20.0

21.0

22.0

23.0

24.0

25.0

26.0

27.0

28.0

29.0

30.0

| -0.53

-0.49

-0.44

-0.40

-0.34

-0.29

-0.24

-0.18

-0.12

-0.06

0.00

0.06

0.13

0.20

0.27

0.34

0.42

0.50

0.58

0.66

0.74

| -0.56

-0.52

-0.47

-0.41

-0.36

-0.31

-0.25

-0.19

-0.13

-0.06

0.00

0.07

0.14

0.21

0.28

0.35

0.43

0.51

0.59

0.67

0.75

| -0.59

-0.54

-0.49

-0.43

-0.38

-0.32

-0.26

-0.20

-0.13

-0.07

0.00

0.07

0.14

0.21

0.29

0.36

0.44

0.52

0.60

0.68

0.77

| -0.62

-0.57

-0.51

-0.45

-0.39

-0.33

-0.27

-0.20

-0.14

-0.07

0.00

0.07

0.14

0.22

0.29

0.37

0.45

0.53

0.61

0.69

0.78

| -0.65

-0.59

-0.53

-0.47

-0.40

-0.34

-0.28

-0.21

-0.14

-0.07

0.00

0.07

0.15

0.22

0.30

0.38

0.46

0.54

0.62

0.70

0.79

| -0.67

-0.61

-0.55

-0.48

-0.42

-0.35

-0.28

-0.21

-0.14

-0.07

0.00

0.07

0.15

0.23

0.30

0.38

0.46

0.55

0.63

0.71

0.80

| -0.69

-0.63

-0.56

-0.50

-0.43

-0.36

-0.29

-0.22

-0.15

-0.07

0.00

0.08

0.15

0.23

0.31

0.39

0.47

0.55

0.64

0.72

0.81

| -0.71

-0.64

-0.57

-0.51

-0.44

-0.37

-0.30

-0.22

-0.15

-0.08

0.00

0.08

0.15

0.23

0.31

0.39

0.47

0.56

0.64

0.73

0.81

| -0.72

-0.65

-0.58

-0.52

-0.44

-0.37

-0.30

-0.23

-0.15

-0.08

0.00

0.08

0.16

0.23

0.31

0.40

0.48

0.56

0.64

0.73

0.81

| -0.73

-0.66

-0.59

-0.52

-0.45

-0.38

-0.30

-0.23

-0.15

-0.08

0.00

0.08

0.16

0.24

0.32

0.40

0.48

0.56

0.65

0.73

0.82

| -0.74

-0.67

-0.60

-0.53

-0.45

-0.38

-0.31

-0.23

-0.15

-0.08

0.00

0.08

0.16

0.24

0.32

0.40

0.48

0.56

0.65

0.73

0.81

| -0.75

-0.68

-0.60

-0.53

-0.46

-0.38

-0.31

-0.23

-0.15

-0.08

0.00

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

-0.53

-0.46

-0.38

-0.31

-0.23

-0.15

-0.08

0.00

0.08

0.16

0.24

0.32

0.40

0.48

0.56

0.64

0.72

0.81

| -0.75

-0.68

-0.61

-0.53

-0.46

-0.38

-0.31

-0.23

-0.15

-0.08

0.00

0.08

0.16

0.23

0.31

0.39

0.47

0.55

0.64

0.72

0.80

| -0.75

-0.68

-0.60

-0.53

-0.46

-0.38

-0.31

-0.23

-0.15

-0.08

0.00

0.08

0.15

0.23

0.31

0.39

0.47

0.55

0.63

0.71

0.79

| -0.75

-0.67

-0.60

-0.53

-0.45

-0.38

-0.30

-0.23

-0.15

-0.08

0.00

0.08

0.15

0.23

0.31

0.39

0.46

0.54

0.62

0.70

0.78

| -0.74

-0.67

-0.60

-0.52

-0.45

-0.37

-0.30

-0.23

-0.15

-0.08

0.00

0.08

0.15

0.23

0.30

0.38

0.46

0.53

0.61

0.69

0.77

| -0.73

-0.66

-0.59

-0.52

-0.44

-0.37

-0.30

-0.22

-0.15

-0.07

0.00

0.07

0.15

0.22

0.30

0.37

0.46

0.52

0.60

0.68

0.75

References

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