PCE Instruments KREBS PCE-RVI 5 User manual

PCE Americas Inc.
711 Commerce Way
Suite 8
Jupiter
FL-33458
USA
From outside US: +1
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
[e-mail]
PCE Instruments UK Ltd.
Units 12/13
Southpoint Business Park
Ensign way
Hampshire / Southampton
United Kingdom, SO31 4RF
From outside UK: +44
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
[e-mail]
www.pce-instruments.com/english
www.pce-instruments.com
Manual
KREBS Viscometer PCE-RVI 5
Version 1.0
Date of creation: 11.11.2015
Date of last change: 04.01.2016

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Contents
1Introduction .............................................................................................................3
2Safety notes.............................................................................................................3
3Specification............................................................................................................4
3.1 Technical specifications.............................................................................................................. 4
3.2 Contents of delivery.................................................................................................................... 4
3.3 Optional accessories .................................................................................................................. 4
4System description.................................................................................................5
5Set up the viscometer.............................................................................................7
5.1 Level the viscometer................................................................................................................... 7
5.2 Power connection and printer connection .................................................................................. 7
5.3 Attach the spindle....................................................................................................................... 7
5.4 Initial turn-on and configuration.................................................................................................. 7
6Measuring................................................................................................................9
6.1 Automatic measuring mode........................................................................................................ 9
6.2 Manual measuring mode.......................................................................................................... 10
7Troubleshooting....................................................................................................11
8Further information...............................................................................................11
8.1 Calibration................................................................................................................................. 11
8.2 Viscosity tables......................................................................................................................... 12
9Contact...................................................................................................................14
9.1 PCE Instruments UK ................................................................................................................ 14
9.2 PCE Americas .......................................................................................................................... 14

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1 Introduction
Thank you for purchasing a viscometer from PCE Instruments.
The PCE-RVI 5 viscometer was designed to measure the viscosity of paints, varnishes, adhesives,
pastes and liquid inks according to the ASTM D562 standard. The readings are displayed in KU (KREBS
units), g (grams) or cP (centipoises). The viscosity measurements can be performed automatically (by
using pre-defined settings) or manually. Once you finished a measurement, the results can be sent to a
printer via the integrated RS 232 interface. This makes the viscometer an ideal device for industrial and
research applications.
2 Safety notes
Please read this manual carefully and completely before you use the device for the first time. The device
may only be used by qualified personnel and repaired by PCE Instruments personnel. There is no
warranty of damages or injuries caused by non-observance of the manual.
The device may only be used in approved the temperature range.
The case should only be opened by qualified personnel of PCE Instruments.
The instrument should never be placed with the user interface facing an object (e.g. keyboard
side on a table).
You should not make any technical changes to the device.
The appliance should only be cleaned with a damp cloth / use only pH-neutral cleaner.
The viscometer should only be operated by specially trained personnel.
Do not expose the device or its components (except the spindle) to water or other liquids. Do not
operate the device with wet hands.
The viscometer must not be operated in areas with explosive or inflammable atmospheres.
The device should only be operated in a controlled electromagnetic environment. Transmitters,
such as cell phones, should not be used close to the viscometer.
Make sure that the device is levelled properly before taking a measurement. Use a water level to
check and adjust.
This user's handbook is published by PCE Instruments without any guarantee.
We expressly point to our general guarantee terms which can be found in our general terms of business.
If you have any questions please contact PCE Instruments.

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3 Specification
3.1 Technical specifications
Rotational speed
200 rpm ±1 rpm
Viscosity range
KU: 40.2 … 141
g: 32 … 1,099
cP: 27 … 5,274
Resolution
KU: 0.1 KU
g: 1.0 g
cP: 5 cP
Accuracy
±1 % F. S.
Repeatability
±0.5 %
Power supply
100 … 240 V AC ±10 %; 50 … 60 Hz
Fuses
1 x 2 AT
Overvoltage category
II
Operating conditions
+10 … +40 °C
≤80 %, non-condensing
Max. altitude: 2,000 m above mean sea level
Pollution degree
2
Protection class
IP 20
Dimensions
325 x 190 x 500 mm
Weight
8.5 kg
3.2 Contents of delivery
1 x viscometer PCE-RVI 5
1 x standard KREBS-type spindle
2 x adaptors for big and small cans
1 x supporting base for adaptors
1 x 600 ml beaker
1 x mains cable
1 x instruction manual
3.3 Optional accessories
KREBS calibration oil
Thermal printer
Special paste spindle

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4 System description
Adjustable feet
Display unit
Engine shaft
Spindle
Supporting
base for
adaptors
Big adaptor
Small adaptor

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Button description
Interface description
Power switch, mains connection and RS 232 interface are located at the back of the viscometer.
Start button
Stop button
Display
Up button
Down button
Enter button
Power switch
Mains
connection
RS 232
interface

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5 Set up the viscometer
5.1 Level the viscometer
It is very important that the viscometer is levelled properly when taking a measurement.
Use the adjustable feet and a water level to do so.
5.2 Power connection and printer connection
As seen in chapter 4, the power connector is located at the rear side of the device. Plug in the mains
cable and connect it to a power outlet.
The printer connection is located at the rear side of the device as well. Use a regular RS-232 cable to
connect the viscometer to a printer.
5.3 Attach the spindle
To attach the spindle, insert its top end into the hole at the bottom side of the engine shaft. Then use the
locking screw and fix the spindle by rotating clockwise, as seen on the picture below.
After that, gently pull the spindle down, until it reaches the lowest position possible and check if it fits
correctly.
5.4 Initial turn-on and configuration
Before starting a measurement, you should set up the device first.
To do so, turn on the viscometer by pressing the power switch on the back of the device.
An information screen appears on the display. Now press the Start button and the Enter button shortly
afterwards to enter the configuration menu.
The display now shows the measuring unit selection screen:
Use the Up and Down buttons to select the desired measuring unit. You can choose between Ku (Krebs
units), cP (centipoises) and g (grams).
Press Enter to confirm your selection.
Spindle
Engine shaft
Locking screw

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Now you get to the sample wait time settings:
Here you can adjust the time, which the spindle remains immersed in the fluid without any movement
before starting the rotation. The fluid can stabilize during this period of time.
By default, the sample wait time is set to 1 second. By using the Up and Down buttons, you can set it up
to 99 seconds. Once you have set your desired value, press Enter to confirm.
Next you get to the sample measure time settings:
Here you can set the rotation time of the spindle within the fluid after the measurement has started. After
this period of time, the reading appears on the display.
By default, the rotation time is set to 10 seconds, but you can set it to anything between 5 and 99
seconds by using the Up and Down buttons. Once you have reached the desired value, press Enter to
confirm.
Now you get to the time and date settings:
First, you have to select how the date shall be displayed. You can choose between EU mode (day-month-
year) and US mode (month-day-year). Use the Up and Down buttons to select and press enter to confirm.
Based on your selection, you can now set the date and time in EU or US mode:
First, select the day of the week by using the Up and Down buttons. Press Enter to confirm.
Next, set up the date. In EU mode you first have to select the day, followed by the month and the year. In
US mode it is the month first, followed by the day and the year. Use the Up and Down buttons to select a
value. By pressing Enter, you get to the next selection. After confirming all three values (day, month,
year) by pressing Enter, you get to the time setting.
You set the time just as you have set the date before. First choose the hours by using the Up and Down
buttons and press Enter to confirm. Then do the same with the minutes and with the seconds afterwards.
After confirming the seconds by pressing Enter, the setup is finished and you will be redirected to the
information screen automatically.

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6 Measuring
When you turn on the viscometer by pressing the power switch, you first see the information screen,
followed by a working mode selection screen:
Here you can choose between automatic measuring mode and manual measuring mode.
6.1 Automatic measuring mode
In automatic mode, the spindle goes down automatically to the lowest position possible when starting the
measurement. You can use the automatic measuring mode for any sample container that fits between the
working platform and the spindle, as long as the spindle can reach its lowest position.
To enter the automatic measuring mode, press the Start button when in working mode selection.
Now you get to the following screen:
Here you can see and adjust the measuring settings. The sample wait time settings are selected and
flashing when you enter this screen. Use the Up and Down buttons to change the value and press Enter
to confirm. Next, the sample measure time setting becomes active. Again, use the Up and Down buttons
and the Enter button. Last, the measuring unit setting becomes active. Select the desired measuring unit
by using Up and Down and confirm by pressing Enter.
Once all parameters are set as desired, press the Start button to start the measuring procedure.
The head of the viscometer with the spindle at the bottom now moves down to the lowest position
possible. After the set sample wait time (SWT), the spindle starts to rotate and the measurement begins.
Now you can see the sample measure time indication (SMT) on the display counting down. Once the
measuring time is over, the spindle stops and the head of the viscometer moves back to its starting
position. You can now see the final reading on the display.

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If a printer is connected to the viscometer, you can now press Enter to print the results.
Press the Stop button to return to the working mode selection.
Note: If you use the included 600 ml beaker, we recommend filling it up to the 450 ml mark when working
in automatic mode. Use the big adaptor.
Note: You can stop the measuring procedure at any point by pressing the Stop button. The viscometer
stops at its current position and returns to the working mode selection screen.
Note: If the head of the viscometer is not in its starting position (highest position) when entering automatic
measuring mode, it automatically moves back to its starting position.
6.2 Manual measuring mode
When using the manual measuring mode, you can adjust the height of the spindle manually. This means
that you can use different sample containers or sample volumes which cannot be used in automatic
mode.
To enter manual measuring mode, press the Enter button when in working mode selection.
You get to the following screen:
Now you can use the Up and Down buttons to move the spindle to the desired height.
After that, you can start the measurement by pressing the Start button. If you want to stop the
measurement, just press the Stop button.
Once you are done with the measurement, you can print out the results by pressing the Enter button.
To return to the working mode selection, press the Stop button again.
Note: When entering manual measuring mode, the spindle does not move back to its starting position
automatically. You have to do this manually.
Note: Make sure that the spindle is completely covered by the fluid before starting the measurement.