ZEBRA OPT10 Hand-Held Refractometer Instructions
- June 4, 2024
- ZEBRA
Table of Contents
ZEBRA OPT10 Hand-Held Refractometer
WARNING!
Always check sample Health and Safety Data before applying to the
refractometer. When applying samples which are harmful by skin or eye contact,
appropriate protective clothing and glasses. The flap material is poly
carbonate which is subject to reaction with a variety of concentrated acids
and bases and it is soluble in various organic solvents. Avoid contact with
acetone and certain aromatic hydrocarbons. Check sample specifications before
applying. The Zebra refractometer is a precision optical instrument and should
be handled with care. Do not drop or subject it to sharp knocks. Zebra
Skimmers accepts no responsibility for any loss or damage caused by the use of
this instrument.
Glycol Refractometer Information
If you interested in a refractometer to measure glycol (engline coolant),
please contact us directly for an exchange or to enquire on how to purchase.
You have purchased a high-quality refractometer for measuring coolant used in
the metalworking industry.
Focus the scale
Hold the instrument up to the light and look through the eyepiece
Rotate the eyepiece to focus the
scale
Calibrate the Unit
It is best to calibrate your unit with distilled water at room temperature to
zero the scale. Apply distilled water to the prism, then adjust the scale to
zero using the adjuster knob.
Applying sample to the refractometer
Lift the flap, drip sample onto the prism then close the flap
or
use the
dribble feature; drip sample into the top of the closed flap. Optical glass is
relatively soft and care should be taken not to scratch the prism surface. Do
not use metal spatulas or glass rods to apply samples but instead use softer
materials such as plastic.
Taking a reading
Read the scale at the border of the light and dark areas. If the scale is
completely light then the sample concentration may be too high for the
instrument range.
Your coolant may not measure 1:1 on the scale of this refractometer. Please correct your reading by multiplying the reading on the scale by your coolant’s refractomer factor, which can be found on the coolant’s product label (if there is not one listed on the label, contact your coolant supplier or manufacturer for this data).
Ex: The refractometer shows “5” on the scale and your coolant has a refractometer factor of 2.1. (5 x 2.1 = 10.5% concentration).
When the line on the scale becomes blurry, even with the unit in focus, it means that your coolant is starting to entrain emulsified oils. Prevent this problem by removing floating oils from your machine sump or tank whenever they are present. Once the line becomes unreadable, it is time to change your coolant.
Correcting for Temperature
If, during concentration measurement, the temperature is above or below 10°F to that of the temperature during calibration, it is recommended to recalibrate the unit at the testing temperature.
_ NOTE:
OPT10 and OPT32 models are temperature stabilized within a 18°F _range.
Cleaning the prism
Thoroughly clean the prism and flap immediately after use with water or other
suitable solvent and dry with clean tissue. The prism surface could be damaged
by strong alkalis or acids if left in contact for long periods of time. Clean
samples from the prism as soon as practicable. Wiping the prism surface
occasionally with alcohol will remove any build-up of oils left from the
samples.
Fitting a new flap
If the flap should become damaged, a replacement can be clipped on easily as
shown below. Contact us for ordering information.
