BY Mr. Ndarubweine Joseph/Mr.

Charles Bagenda
MLS/MLC 2023/2024
 CARE
• 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.
• 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.
• Cover sample well with hand if measuring in direct sun.
ABBE TYPE
 PRACTICAL DEMONSTRATION ON USE AND
CARE OF A REFRACTOMETER
• Refractometer machine in my office will be
used for demonstration
• Should be clean and dust free
• Cleaning should be done with a soft tissue
• Handling with care
• Lift with one hand on the base and the other
hand on the handle
• Place it on a firm bench
 USE
• Open the flap on the stage
• Using a dropper or Pasteur pipette
• Add a drop of distilled water on the flat surface of
the prism
• Gently return the flap and allow the water to spread
• Avoid air bubbles
• Look through the eye pice and focus using the
focusing knob until you see a clear blue and white
boundaries
 Conts
• Wipe off the distilled water with a soft tissue
• Using a dropper or Pasteur pipette apply one
drop of serum on to the flat prism
• Apply a flap and again look through the eye
piece take the reading at the interface between
a blue and a white background
• The Density or Specific gravity will be noted
• Take note of temperature reading on the
thermometer attached on the refractometer
 conts
• Open the flap and wipe off the serum with
cotton wool
• Clean again with a soft tissue soaked in
distilled water until it is dry
• Clean both the flap and the flat surfaces
• Cover the instrumentin its bag and store in
appropriate carpboard