Colorimeter
(Order Code COL-BTA)
The Vernier Colorimeter is used to determine the
concentration of a solution by analyzing its color
intensity. The cuvette slot is designed to
accommodate most cuvettes with a 10 millimeter
path length. The Colorimeter measures the amount of light transmitted through a
sample at a user-selectable wavelength. You may choose from four wavelengths:
430 nm, 470 nm, 565 nm, and 635 nm. Features such as automatic sensor
identification and one-step calibration make this sensor easy to use.
Note: Vernier products are designed for educational use. Our products are not
designed nor are they recommended for any industrial, medical, or commercial
process such as life support, patient diagnosis, control of a manufacturing
process, or industrial testing of any kind.
What's Included
Colorimeter
15 polystyrene cuvettes
15 plastic cuvette lids
Compatible Software and Interfaces
See www.vernier.com/manuals/col-bta for a list of interfaces and software compatible
with the Colorimeter.
Getting Started
1. Connect the sensor to the interface (LabQuest Mini, LabQuest 2, etc.).
2. Start the appropriate data-collection software (Logger Pro, Logger Lite,
LabQuest App) if not already running, and choose New from File menu.
The software will identify the sensor and load a default data-collection setup.
If you are collecting data using a Chromebook™, mobile device such as iPad®or
Android™ tablet, or a Vernier wireless sensor or interface, please see the following
link for up-to-date connection information:
www.vernier.com/start/col-bta
Using the Product
Connect the sensor following the steps in the Getting Started section of this user
manual. After connecting the sensor, the following steps must be completed prior
to starting data collection.
1. Press the < or > button on the Colorimeter to select the correct wavelength for
your experiment (430 nm, 470 nm, 565 nm, or 635 nm).
2. Allow the Colorimeter to warm up for about five minutes before calibrating.
3. Calibrate the Colorimeter.
a. Slide the lid of the Colorimeter open to reveal the cuvette slot.
b. Insert a cuvette, filled with distilled water or other solvent used to prepare
your solutions, for your calibration blank (100% transmittance or 0
absorbance).
Important: Line up one of the clear sides of the cuvette with the arrow at
the right side of the cuvette slot. Slide the Colorimeter lid closed.
c. Press the CAL button on the Colorimeter to begin the calibration process.
Release the CAL button when the red LED begins to flash.
d. When the red LED stops flashing, the calibration is complete. The
absorbance reading should be very close to 0.000 (100%T).
e. Remove the blank cuvette from the Colorimeter.
4. Continue with data collection.
Videos
View videos related to this product at www.vernier.com/col-bta
Specifications
Colorimeter range 0 to 3 (absorbance)
Useful range 0.05 to 1.0 absorbance (90% to 10% T)
Wavelengths 430 nm, 470 nm, 565 nm, 635 nm
Supply voltage 5VDC ±25 mV
Supply current (typical) 40 mA
Power up time 700 ms (maximum)
Output voltage range 0to4V
Transfer function Vout = 0.035*(%T)+0
Stored calibration values slope: 28.571
intercept: 0
How the Sensor Works
Light from an LED light source passes through a cuvette containing a solution
sample. Some of the incoming light is absorbed by the solution. As a result, light
of a lower intensity strikes a photodiode.
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