Anton Paar SmartRef Digital Refracto Meter Instruction Manual

Anton Paar SmartRef Digital Refracto Meter

ABOUT THIS MANUAL

This instruction manual informs you about the installation and the safe handling and use of the product. Pay special attention to the safety instructions and warnings in the manual and on the product. The instruction manual is a part of the product. Keep this instruction manual for the complete working life of the product and ensure that it is easily accessible for all people involved with the product. If you receive any additions to or revisions of this instruction manual from Anton Paar, these must be treated as part of the instruction manual. Download the current version of the instruction manual from: www.my-smartref.com

CONVENTIONS FOR SAFETY MESSAGES
The following conventions for safety messages are used throughout this instruction manual.

WARNING!
Warning indicates a hazardous situation that, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.

CAUTION!
Caution indicates a hazardous situation that, if not avoided, could result in minor or moderate injury.

NOTICE
The notice indicates a situation that, if not avoided, could result in damage to property.
TIP
Tip gives extra information about the situation at hand

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

Read this instruction manual before using the device. Make this instruction manual easily accessible to all persons working with the device. Follow all tips and instructions in this instruction manual to ensure the correct use and safe functioning of the device.

LIABILITY
This instruction manual does not claim to address all safety issues associated with the use of the device and samples. It is your responsibility to establish health and safety practices and to determine the applicability of regulatory limitations. Anton Paar warrants the proper functioning of the device only if no modifications are made to mechanics, electronics, or device software. Use the device only for the purpose described in the instruction manual. Anton Paar is not liable for damages caused by incorrect use of the device. The results delivered by the device depend not only on the correct functioning of the device, but also on various other factors. Do not base any decisions concerning safety or commercial issues on data measured by a SmartRef.

INSTALLATION AND USE

WARNING!
Do not use the device in medical areas. Use the device as a stand-alone unit (the SmartRef cannot be operated without a smartphone or tablet). Do not combine the device with other instruments or devices for automation purposes! Use only accessories and consumables supplied or approved by Anton Paar. Ensure that all operators are familiar with the safety instructions for the device. Keep the device away from children. Ensure that the device is sufficiently supervised during operation.

WARNING!
In case of damage or malfunction, do not continue operating the device. Do not operate the device under conditions which could result in damage to goods or injuries or loss of life. Do not expose the device to temperatures below 0 °C (32 °F) if the sample well contains water. Freezing water can cause damage to the sample well.

OPERATION IN AREAS WITH RISK OF EXPLOSION

WARNING!
The device is not explosion-proof and therefore must not be operated in areas with risk of explosion.

PERSONAL SAFETY

WARNING!
Always keep a distance of at least 15 cm (6 in) between the device and an implanted cardiac pacemaker or defibrillator.

CAUTION!
During operation of the device, the operator must be equipped with appropriate personal protective equipment (safety goggles, gloves).

GENERAL PRECAUTIONS
Observe and adhere to your national safety regulations regarding the handling of all substances associated with your measurements (e.g. use safety goggles, gloves, respiratory protection, etc.). For the handling of substances, abide by the corresponding material safety data sheets.

WARNING!
Fill only substances which will not pose a risk if they leak from the device in case of damage or malfunction.

WARNING!
Before a measurement, check the wetted parts of the device for chemical resistance to the samples and cleaning agents used. Fill only liquids which will not attack the wetted parts of the device.

WARNING!
Take care that the liquids (samples and cleaning agents) that you use are chemically compatible when they come into contact with each other. They must not react exothermally or produce harmful substances. Take measures that spilled liquids cannot get into plug connections or venting slots of electrical appliances. Do not leave the device in a location exposed to direct sunlight or near a heat source for any extended period of time. Do not change the ambient temperature of the device abruptly.

CAUTION!
Be careful with hot samples. Handling samples with temperatures of more than 50 °C (122 °F) bears the risk of burns. Observe the maximum sample temperature.

CAUTION!
Do not drop the device and protect it against strong impacts as this may lead to a malfunction.

PRECAUTIONS FOR FLAMMABLE SAMPLES AND CLEANING AGENTS

CAUTION!
Keep potential sources of ignition, like sparks or open flames, at a safe distance from the device. Store only the minimum required amount of sample, cleaning agents, and other flammable materials near the device. Do not spill sample/cleaning agents or leave their containers uncovered. Immediately remove spilled samples/cleaning agents. Ensure that the setup location is sufficiently ventilated. The environment of the device must be kept free from flammable gases and vapors. Provide fire-extinguishing equipment.

BATTERY HANDLING
Make sure you insert the batteries with the correct polarity. Keep batteries away from children. Do not leave batteries lying around unattended. They can be dangerous for children or pets if they use them as toys. If a battery has been swallowed, seek medical advice immediately. Leaking or damaged batteries can cause burns if they come into contact with skin. Use gloves for their handling. Never short-circuit or open batteries. Do not expose batteries to heat or throw them into fire. Do not charge non-rechargeable batteries. There is a risk of explosion.

WARNING!
Do not insert damaged batteries in the battery compartment. They can cause permanent damage to the device and fire.

WARNING!
Do not use lithium-ion rechargeable batteries or lithium-ion batteries with the device. Use only batteries type AAA LR03 (alkaline) or rechargeable batteries type AAA HR03 (NiMH). Do not replace the batteries in an environment with high humidity. Vapor could be trapped inside the unit, which could cause condensation, permanently damaging your device.

WARNING!
In case you are not using the device for a long time, remove the batteries. Batteries could leak or be damaged.

DEVICE RETURNS
For returns, contact the vendor of the device. The device must be cleaned before return. You must not return devices which are contaminated by radioactive materials, infectious agents, or other harmful substances that can pose health hazards.
DISPOSAL
Concerning the disposal of the device, observe the legal requirements in your country.

PACKAGE CONTENTS

SmartRef has been tested and packed carefully before shipment. However, damage may occur during transport. Keep the packaging material for possible returns and for further questions from the transport or insurance company. To check the delivery for completeness, compare the supplied parts to those listed in the supplied parts list below. If a part is missing or damaged, contact the vendor of the device.

NOTICE
A device stored at low temperatures can cause condensation of moisture on sensitive parts. To prevent malfunctions, allow the transport package and its contents to come to thermal equilibrium prior to opening.

SUPPLIED PARTS

SMARTREF OVERVIEW

ABOUT THE DEVICE
The digital refractometer SmartRef measures the refractive index of liquids. In addition, a temperature sensor measures the sample temperature directly at the sample area. The refractive index of a pure material is a physical property and can be used to identify and characterize materials. The refractive index of a dissolved substance in a solvent correlates with its concentration and can, therefore, be used for concentration measurements. Many other scales can be derived from the refractive index. You operate and control the device via the mobile app running on your smartphone. For the communication between the device and your smartphone, Bluetooth Low Energy is used. Via the app various measurement units based on the refractive index can be calculated (e.g. %Brix).

DEVICE VIEWS

STARTING UP SMART REF

SWITCHING THE DEVICE ON/OFF
To switch the device on, press the power button (see Figure 1). The status LEDs will start blinking (visible next to the power button), indicating that your SmartRef is switched on. To switch the device off, press the button again.
NOTICE
Never use any sharp objects to press the power button.

CONNECTING TO YOUR IOS OR ANDROID DEVICE
The SmartRef works with the corresponding app for iOS or Android, installed on a supported device. Data is transmitted via Bluetooth Low Energy wireless technology. For a list of available apps and supported devices, go to: www .my-smartref.com The app can be downloaded from the App Store or on Google Play. Start the app on your smartphone. It will guide you through the steps required to connect to your SmartRef. After a successful connection has been established, the status LEDs are permanently on. The device is then ready to perform measurements. The app will guide you through the measurement steps and provide relevant information.

MEASUREMENT

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR MEASURING
Fill the sample area to the indicated line in the sample well. A minimum sample volume of 0.4 mL is required for proper operation. For best measurement performance, ensure that the sample temperature does not deviate significantly from the ambient temperature. When measuring hot/cold samples, allow the measurement area temperature to equilibrate. Depending on the temperature difference between the sample liquid and the device, this may take only a few seconds or up to a minute.  Prior to each measurement ensure that the prism and sample well are clean and dry. Carefully clean the device after each measurement series to avoid deposits in the sample area. Have suitable solvents for cleaning at hand. The measurement performance can be deteriorated by excessive ambient light (sunlight, artificial light). Make sure the sample area is not exposed to direct irradiation. If you are using the device in a bright environment, it might be necessary to shield the sample area from direct light. Use plastic syringes or pipettes to apply the samples. Metal devices or other hard subjects (e.g. spoons, tweezers) may scratch the glass prism, causing permanent damage to your device. Sample containing dissolved CO2 will cause bubbles, which can lead to invalid measurement results. Degas your sample carefully before measurement. For samples containing suspended solids it is recommended to filtrate the sample.

CAUTION!
Handling samples with temperatures of more than 50 °C (122 °F) bears the risk of burns. Wear appropriate protective clothing or take other protective measures when you handle hot samples.

PERFORMING A MEASUREMENT

• Properly clean the prism surface and the surrounding sample well.
• Apply the sample on the measuring surface using a plastic pipette or plastic syringe until the sample well is filled up to the marked height.
• Start measurement via the app.
• The app displays the result of the measurement.

TIP
If errors occur during the measurement process the app will provide respective information. It is recommended to perform a zero-adjustment daily before measuring (see 9.2) and if changes in ambient conditions have occurred. If the sample has a significantly different temperature compared to the device or the device temperature differs significantly from the ambient temperature allow the sample temperature to equilibrate for a short time (approximately 1 minute). In between measurements of different samples make sure to clean the prism surface and the sample well properly and dry it prior to the subsequent measurement to avoid cross-contamination. After a certain time of inactivity (duration selectable via the app), the device will shut of automatically.

CLEANING AND STORING THE DEVICE

CLEANING ROUTINE AND CLEANING AGENTS
After each sample measurement with the device always clean the prism surface and the sample well using ultra-pure water or ethanol. You may need to clean it more often when you are going to measure a sample that could chemically react with the previous sample or when you are going to measure a sample that is not miscible with the previous sample. Remove the sample via rinsing the sample area with a suitable liquid, e.g. ultra-pure water or via absorbing the sample using a soft tissue. If you did not use ultra-pure water as cleaning liquid, additionally rinse the prism surface and the sample well with ultra- pure water to remove any other cleaning liquid. Finally, empty the sample well and use a clean, soft cloth (cotton or microfiber) to dry off any remaining droplets. Clean the housing and the sample area with a soft cloth dipped in ethanol or warm water. If necessary, you can use a mild solvent (pH < 10).

CAUTION!
Do not use dirty or rough cloths for cleaning/drying the sample area, since this could cause scratches on the prism surface and permanently damage your device. Do not submerge the device in water or any cleaning agents or other liquids. Particulate material suspended in sample liquid or the use of an abrasive cleaning agent may lead to scratches during the cleaning process. This can damage the device permanently.

CAUTION!
Do not use aggressive solvents (e.g. Acetone) to clean the device. Only use approved and compatible cleaning agents,
otherwise, your device could suffer permanent damage.
NOTICE
The inside of the device does not require cleaning. Only clean the exterior housing and the sample area.
NOTICE
It is recommended to use ultra-pure water instead of tap water because tap water can cause limescale buildup in the sample area, leading to a deterioration of the measurement quality.
NOTICE
Dispose of samples and cleaning agents according to legal regulations.

STORING
Before you store away the device, clean it as described above. If you are going to store your device for a longer period of time, remove the batteries.

CAUTION!
Store the device in a dry environment. Do not store device in direct sunlight, low or high temperatures.

CHECKS AND ADJUSTMENTS

It is recommended to check the measurement performance of the device prior to a new series of measurements. If you get a result that deviates from the target value of your sample by more than the given tolerances, you need to adjust the device by performing a zero adjustment.

CHECK MEASUREMENT
Fill the sample well with ultra-pure water up to the sample height indication and perform a measurement via the app. Depending on the selected unit of measurement, the result should be e.g. 0.0 °Brix, 0 ppt, etc. within the respective accuracy. A water check should be performed before starting measurements. Perform additional water checks on demand, depending on your judgement, e.g. when you get a series of unexpected results. If the check fails, take corrective actions until the check is valid again:

• Check the reference liquid (ultra-pure water) quality
• Clean the measuring prism thoroughly. Alcohol or a solvent suitable for the samples measured before could be useful.
• If above actions do not help to perform a valid check, perform a zero adjustment.

TIP
For best measurement performance use a new and clean pipette for every measurement.

ZERO ADJUSTMENT
Before measuring, performing a zero adjustment using ultrapure water is recommended.

• Properly clean and dry the prism surface and the sample well.
• Apply ultrapure water on the measuring surface until the sample well is filled up to the marked height.
• If the sample temperature differs strongly from the device temperature allow the sample to equilibrate for approximately 1 minute.
• Perform zero adjustment via the app.
• The app will indicate if the zero adjustment process was successful or provide further information otherwise.

TIP
Perform the zero adjustment under the same conditions as the sample measurement. Changes in ambient conditions between the zero adjustment and the sample measurement could lead to deviations in the measurement result. If the zero adjustment is performed under strong light (e.g. sunlight) ensure a proper shading of the sample well during the adjustment process.

EXCHANGING THE BATTERIES

For proper battery handling, observe the safety instructions. The battery status of the device is indicated in the app. When the batteries are depleted, the device switches off by itself. If the app indicates a low battery or the device does not switch on it is advised to replace the batteries. Use only batteries type AAA LR03 (alkaline) or rechargeable batteries type AAA HR03 (NiMH).

CAUTION!
Turn the device off prior to exchanging the batteries. Make sure the sample area is empty and dry before exchanging the batteries to avoid spillage of liquids. Only open the device in a clean and dry environment. The inside of the device does not require any cleaning. Do not use liquid cleaning agents on interior parts of the device. Do not open the compartment containing the optical and electronical components of the device as this will void the warranty.

STEPS TO EXCHANGE THE BATTERIES

• Unscrew the bottom cover of the device using an Allen key (2 mm; 5/64 in)
• Remove the empty batteries.
• Insert the fresh batteries with the correct orientation!
• Reattach the bottom cover and tighten the screws firmly

NOTICE
Ensure that the screws are tightened properly so that no liquid can get inside. Do not overtighten the screws. Using excessive force may permanently damage your device. After replacing the batteries, be sure to only use the original screws to fix the battery compartment cover. Consider the polarity of the batteries when you insert them in the battery compartment. Insert only equally charged batteries of the same type.
NOTICE
When replacing the batteries, check if the O-ring between the bottom and the top cover is not damaged and in place. Make sure to use the original screws that include an O-ring.

TECHNICAL DATA

MEASUREMENT SPECIFICATIONS

Measuring Range

• Refractive Index (RI) at 20°C 1.3330 – 1.5040
• Brix 0° to 85°
• Sample Temperature 10 °C – 100 °C (50 °F – 212 °F)
• PSU (practical salinity units) 0 – 50
• ppt (parts per thousand) 0 – 150
• S.G. (20/20) 1.000 – 1.114

Accuracy

• Refractive Index (RI) ±0.0003
• Brix ±0.2°
• Temperature 0.5 °C (0.9 °F)
• PSU (practical salinity units) ±2
• ppt (parts per thousand) ±2
• S.G. (20/20) ±0.002

Resolution

• Refractive Index (RI) 0.0001
• Brix 0.1°
• Temperature 0.1 °C (0.1 °F)
• PSU (practical salinity units) 1
• ppt (parts per thousand) 1
• S.G. (20/20) 0.001

Further Specifications

• Sample volume 0.4 mL
• Measurement time <2 s
• Automatic Temperature Compensation 20°C (ATC) %Brix 10 °C – 100 °C (50 °F – 212 °F)
• Automatic Temperature Compensation 20°C (ATC) PSU, ppt,
• S.G. (20/20) 10 °C – 40 °C (50 °F – 104 °F)
• Mobile Operating System Android & iOS

DEVICE SPECIFICATIONS

Data

• Dimensions (L x W x H) 108 x 64 x 35 mm (4.3 in x 2.5 in 1.4 in)
• Weight (incl. batteries) ~135 g (0.31 lbs.)
• Power supply 2x AAA 1.5V LR03 alkaline batteries (included) or AAA NiMH rechargeable batteries
• Enclosure Rating IP66 according IEC 60529

OPERATING CONDITIONS

Condition

• Ambient temperature 10 °C – 40 °C (50 °F – 104 °F)
• Air Humidity 5% – 95% RH, non-condensing
• Battery lifetime ~10 000 measurements
• Storage temperature 10 °C – 40 °C (50 °F – 104 °F)
• Interface Bluetooth™ Low Energy
• Frequency band 2400 MHz – 2480 MHz
• Transmitter power 7.5 dBm max. (5.6 mW max.)

WETTED PARTS

Part Material

• Sample area Stainless steel and glass, FKM O-Ring
• Enclosure housing Flame retardant PBT/PC, UL94-V0

EU DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY

UK DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY

WARRANTY AND RETURNS

In case of a warranty claim, contact the vendor of your device who will take care of the necessary steps. The device must be cleaned before return. See also corresponding safety instructions.

BLUETOOTH REGULATIONS

Canada

Under Industry Canada regulations, this radio transmitter may only operate using an antenna of a type and maximum (or lesser) gain approved for the transmitter by Industry Canada. To reduce potential radio interference to other users, the antenna type and its gain should be so chosen that the equivalent isotropically radiated power (e.i.r.p.) is not more than that necessary for successful communication.

FCC STATEMENT

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy, and if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

Japan
TELEC Certificate: R 201-160496

South Korea
KC Certificate MSIP-CRM-ryt-MDBT42Q

China
SRRC Certificate: CMITT ID: 2016DJ4571

© 2022 Anton Paar ConsumerTec GmbH | All rights reserved. Specifications subject to change without notice. This document may contain errors and omissions. If you discover any such errors, or if you would like to see more information in thisdocument, please contact us at our address below. Anton Paar assumes no liability for any errors or omissions in this document. Changes, copyright, trademarks, etc.  This document and its contents may be changed or amended by Anton Paar at any time without prior notice. All rights reserved (including translation). This document, or any part of it, may not be reproduced, changed, copied, or distributed by means of electronic systems in any form (print, photocopy, microfilm, or any other process) without prior written permission by Anton Paar. Trademarks, registered trademarks, trade names, etc. may be used in this document without being marked as such. They are the property of their respective owner.
Further information
Published and printed by Anton Paar ConsumerTec GmbH, Austria Copyright © 2022 Anton Paar ConsumerTec GmbH, Graz, Austria
Address of the instrument producer:
Anton Paar ConsumerTec GmbH, Kärntner Straße 418 A-8054 Graz / Austria – Europe
Tel: +43 (0) 316 257-0
Fax: +43 (0) 316 257-257
E-Mail: [email protected]
Web: www.my-smartref.com
Date: 06/2022
Document number: I02IB001EN-A

References

• Solutions de ventillation personnalisées - SmartRef
• SmartRef by Anton Paar

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