Milwaukee MA871 User manual

MA871
Refractometer for SucroseRefractometer for Sucrose
Refractometer for SucroseRefractometer for Sucrose
Refractometer for Sucrose
MeasurementsMeasurements
MeasurementsMeasurements
Measurements
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
Milwaukee Refractometer
Milwaukee Refractometer
Milwaukee Refractometer
Milwaukee Refractometer
Milwaukee Refractometer
Test Equipment Depot - 800.517.8431 - 99 Washington Street Melrose, MA 02176
TestEquipmentDepot.com
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Instruction Manual MA871 Refractometer for Sucrose Measurements
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION ............................................................................. 3
GENERAL DESCRIPTION .................................................................................... 5
SPECIFICATIONS .............................................................................................. 6
PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION ................................................................................ 7
MEASUREMENT GUIDELINES .............................................................................. 8
CALIBRATION PROCEDURE ............................................................................... 9
MEASUREMENT PROCEDURE ........................................................................... 10
MAKING A STANDARD % BRIX SOLUTION ........................................................ 11
CHANGING TEMPERATURE UNIT ..................................................................... 12
ERROR MESSAGES ........................................................................................... 13
BATTERY REPLACEMENT ................................................................................... 14
WARRANTY ..................................................................................................... 15

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FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION
DISPLAYDISPLAY
DISPLAYDISPLAY
DISPLAY
A. BATTERY STATUS ICON (BLINKS WHEN LOW BATTERY CONDITION DETECTED)
B. MEASUREMENT IN PROGRESS TAG
C. SETUP: FACTORY CALIBRATION TAG
D. CAL: CALIBRATION TAG
E. PRIMARY DISPLAY (DISPLAYS MEASUREMENT AND ERROR MESSAGES)
F. AUTOMATIC TEMPERATURE COMPENSATION
(BLINKS WHEN TEMPERATURE EXCEEDS 10-40 °C / 50-104 °F RANGE)
G. TEMPERATURE UNITS
H. SECONDARY DISPLAY (DISPLAYS TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENTS; WHEN BLINKING,
TEMPERATURE HAS EXCEEDED OPERATION RANGE: 0-80 °C / 32-176 °F)

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Instruction Manual MA871 Refractometer for Sucrose Measurements
H. BATTERY COVER
I. BATTERY COMPARTMENT
BOTTOMBOTTOM
BOTTOMBOTTOM
BOTTOM
A. LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY (LCD)
B. READ KEY (USER MEASUREMENT)
C. ZERO KEY (USER CALIBRATION)
D. ON/OFF
E. PRIMARY DISPLAY
F. SECONDARY DISPLAY
G. STAINLESS STEEL SAMPLE WELL AND PRISM
FRONT PANELFRONT PANEL
FRONT PANELFRONT PANEL
FRONT PANEL

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GENERAL DESCRIPTION
SIGNIFICANCE OF USE
Thank you for choosing Milwaukee. This instruction manual will provide you the necessary
information for correct use of the meter.
The MA871 is an optical instrument that employs the measurement of refractive index to
determine the % Brix of sugar in aqueous solutions. The method is both simple and quick.
Samples are measured after a simple user calibration with deionized or distilled water.
Within seconds the instrument measures the refractive index of the sample and converts it
to % Brix concentration units. The MA871 digital refractometer eliminates the uncertainity
associated with mechanical refractometers and is easily portable for measurements in the
field.
The measurement technique and temperature compensation employ methodology
recommended in the ICUMSA Methods Book (Internationally recognized body for Sugar
Analysis).
Temperature (in °C or °F) is displayed simultaneously with the measurement on the large
dual level display along with icons for Low Power and other helpful message codes.
Key features include:
• Dual-level LCD
• Automatic Temperature Compensation (ATC)
• Easy setup and storage
• Battery operation with Low Power indicator (BEPS)
• Automatically turns off after 3 minutes of non-use.
Remove the instrument from the packing materials and examine carefully to
ensure no damage has occurred during shipping. If any damage has
occurred, notify your Dealer.
Each MA871 instrument is supplied with:
• 9 V battery
• Instruction manual
Note: Save all packing material until you are sure that the instrument
functions correctly. A defective instrument must be returned in its
original packing.

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Instruction Manual MA871 Refractometer for Sucrose Measurements
Range 0 to 85% Brix 0 to 80 °C (32 to 175 °F)
Resolution 0.1% Brix 0.1 °C (0.1 °F)
Accuracy ± 0.2% Brix ± 0.3 °C (± 0.5 °F)
Light Source Yellow LED
Measurement Time Approximately 1.5 seconds
Minimum Sample Volume 100 PL (cover prism totally)
Sample Cell SS ring and flint glass prism
Temperature Compensation Automatic between 10 and 40 °C (50 to 104 °F)
Case Material ABS
Enclosure Rating IP 65
Battery Type/Life 1 x 9 volt AA batteries / 5000 readings
Auto-Shut off After 3 minutes of non-use
Dimensions 19.2 x 10.2 x 6.7 cm (7.5 x 4 x 2.6")
Weight 420 g (14.8 oz.).
SPECIFICATIONS

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PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
The Brix determination is made by measuring the refractive index of a solution. Refractive
Index is an optical characteristic of a substance and the number of dissolved particles in
it. Refractive Index is defined as the ratio of the speed of light in empty space to the speed
of light in the substance. A result of this property is that light will “bend”, or change
direction, when it travels through a substance of different refractive index. This is called
refraction.
When passing from a material with a higher to lower refractive index, there is a critical
angle at which an incoming beam of light can no longer refract, but will instead be
reflected off the interface. The critical angle can be used to easily calculate the refractive
index according to the equation:
sin (Tcritical) = n2/ n1
Where n2is the refractive index of the lower-density medium; n1is the refractive index of
the higher-density medium.
In the MA871, light from an LED passes through a prism in contact with the sample. An
image sensor determines the critical angle at which the light is no longer refracted
through the sample. The MA871 automatically applies temperature compensation to the
measurement and converts the refractive index of the sample to sucrose concentration in
units of percent (by weight) Brix.

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Instruction Manual MA871 Refractometer for Sucrose Measurements
MEASUREMENT GUIDELINES
• Handle instrument carefully. Do not drop.
• Do not immerse instrument under water.
• Do not spray water to any part of instrument except the “sample well” located over
the prism.
• The instrument is intended to measure sugar solutions. Do not expose instrument or
prism to solvents that will damage it. This includes most organic solvents and extremely
hot or cold solutions.
• Particulate matter in a sample may scratch the prism. Absorb sample with a soft
tissue and rinse sample well with deionized or distilled water between samples.
• Use plastic pipettes to transfer all solutions. Do not use metallic tools such as
needles, spoons or tweezers as these will scratch the prism.

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CALIBRATION PROCEDURE
Calibration should be performed daily, before measurements are made, when the
battery has been replaced, or between a long series of measurements.
1. Press the ON/OFF key, then release. Two instrument test screens will be displayed
briefly; an “all segment” screen followed by the percentage of remaining battery life.
When LCD displays dashes, the instrument is ready.
2. Using plastic pipettes, fill the sample well with distilled or deionized water.
Note: If the ZERO sample is subject to intense light such as sunlight or another strong
source, cover the sample well with your hand or other shade during the
calibration.
3. Press the ZERO key. If no error messages appear, your unit is calibrated.
(For a description of ERROR MESSAGES see page 13).
Note: The 0.0 screen will remain until a sample is measured or the power is turned off.

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Instruction Manual MA871 Refractometer for Sucrose Measurements
MEASUREMENT PROCEDURE
Verify the instrument has been calibrated before taking measurements.
1. Wipe off prism surface located at the bottom of the sample well.
2. Using plastic pipettes, drip sample onto the prism surface. Fill the
well completely.
Note: If the temperature of the sample differs significantly from the
temperature of the instrument, wait approximately 1 minute to
allow thermal equilibration.
3. Press the READ key. Measurement is displayed in units of % BRIX.
Note: The ATC tag blinks and automatic temperature compensation is disabled if the
temperature exceeds the 10-40 °C / 50-104 °F range.
4. Remove sample from the sample well by absorbing with a soft tissue.
4. Gently absorb the ZERO water standard with a soft tissue. Use care not to scratch
the prism surface. Wipe off the surface completely. The instrument is ready for
sample measurement.
Note: If instrument is turned off the calibration will not be lost.