Measuring Equipment

pH Meters

The pH value of foods has a direct effect on the growth of microorganisms and therefore on food quality and safety. For this reason, many companies use the pH value as a quality characteristic for evaluating their food. For example, the pH value is of great importance in the manufacture of meat, sausage, delicatessen and dairy products. The pH value is an important quality parameter in the food sector. It particularly affects the properties of meat and meat-based products, especially with regard to water binding capacity, taste, colour, tenderness and shelf life. In the bakery sector, the acidity of the sourdough can be determined by means of the pH value. In the case of products such as salad dressings, the pH value helps to ensure consistent quality or consistent acidity of the product.

Colorimeters

A colorimeter is a device used in colorimetry. In scientific fields the word generally refers to the device that measures the absorbance of particular wavelengths of light by a specific solution. This device is commonly used to determine the concentration of a known solute in a given solution by the application of the Beer-Lambert law, which states that the concentration of a solute is proportional to the absorbance.

Turbidimeters

Turbidity is the cloudiness or haziness of a fluid caused by large numbers of individual particles that are generally invisible to the naked eye, similar to smoke in air. The measurement of turbidity is a key test of water quality. Fluids can contain suspended solid matter consisting of particles of many different sizes. While some suspended material will be large enough and heavy enough to settle rapidly to the bottom of the container if a liquid sample is left to stand (the settable solids), very small particles will settle only very slowly or not at all if the sample is regularly agitated or the particles are colloidal. These small solid particles cause the liquid to appear turbid.

Polarimeters

A polarimeter is a scientific instrument used to measure the angle of rotation caused by passing polarised light through an optically active substance. Some chemical substances are optically active, and polarised (uni-directional) light will rotate either to the left (counter-clockwise) or right (clockwise) when passed through these substances. The amount by which the light is rotated is known as the angle of rotation. The angle of rotation is basically known as observed angle. Many chemicals exhibit a specific rotation as a unique property (an intensive property like refractive index or Specific gravity) which can be used to distinguish it. Polarimeters can identify unknown samples based on this if other variables such as concentration and length of sample cell length are controlled or at least known. This is used in the chemical industry. By the same token, if the specific rotation of a sample is already known, then the concentration and/or purity of a solution containing it can be calculated.

Refractometers

A refractometer is a laboratory or field device for the measurement of an index of refraction (refractometry). The index of refraction is calculated from Snell’s law while for mixtures, the index of refraction can be calculated from the composition of the material using several mixing rules such as the Gladstone–Dale relation and Lorentz–Lorenz equation.

Dataloggers

The data monitoring system testo Saveris measures temperature and humidity values in sensitive goods and products, in the surroundings and in processes. The easily operated measurement system provides security as well as savings of time and costs thanks to automated measurement data recording. The measurement data transfer takes place by wireless and/or Ethernet connection-to a Base station. This documents and monitors all measurement data. If limit values are exceeded, a number of alarm options such as SMS/e-mail alarm or alarm relay are available. Remote alarms can also be triggered even when the system is not connected to a running PC. In addition to this, transmitters of all measurement parameters with standard current/voltage interfaces can be integrated into the testo Saveris system. The integration not only of Testo transmitters, but also those of other manufacturers is possible. All recorded data are centrally stored in a software. At the same time, the testo Saveris software also allows a comprehensive analysis and evaluation of all recorded measurement data.

Internal Air Quality

The carbon dioxide concentration and the indoor air quality in interiors are deemed to be the most important indicators that the quality of the indoor air is good enough, when people themselves are the main source of emissions. Poor indoor air quality leads to tiredness, lack of concentration and can even bring about illnesses. The CO2 concentrations should therefore not exceed 1,000 ppm as a rule.

Anemometers

Every duct inlet and outlet should only contain the volumetric flow that, according to its calculations, is the basic requirement for a system that works efficiently. It must therefore be possible to measure the volumetric flow in a reliable way.

Luxmeters

Suitable lighting in the workplace provides workers with sufficient light to be able to perform their jobs well. It helps to prevent mistakes being made, premature tiredness setting in, and maintains alertness.

Pressure Gauges & Transmitters

Pressure measurement is the analysis of an applied force by a fluid (liquid or gas) on a surface. Pressure is typically measured in units of force per unit of surface area. Many techniques have been developed for the measurement of pressure and vacuum. Instruments used to measure and display pressure in an integral unit are called pressure gauges or vacuum gauges. A manometer is a good example as it uses a column of liquid to both measure and indicate pressure. Likewise the widely used Bourdon gauge is a mechanical device which both measures and indicates, and is probably the best known type of gauge.

Temperature Gauges & Transmitters

Temperature measurement, also known as thermometry, describes the process of measuring a current local temperature for immediate or later evaluation. Important devices for measuring temperature include: Thermocouples, Thermistors, Resistance temperature detector (RTD).

Differential Pressure Gauge

The measurement of gas flow and static gas pressure in the system are especially important. Because the burner can only operate well at a flow pressure between approximately 18 to 25 mbar. Outside this range, explosive flame formation can occur. The consequences are malfunctions or even breakdown of the heating system. For this reason, the acquisition of a reliable, easy-to-operate differential pressure measuring instrument is worthwhile.

Noise Level Meters

Almost everybody has come across this: background noises which easily prevent you from working and from concentrating on something. If the noise level is high at work, staff efficiency is reduced – no matter whether the noise pollution is caused by equipment or colleagues.

Level Gauges & Transmitters

Level sensors detect the level of liquids and other fluids and fluidized solids, including slurries, granular materials, and powders that exhibit an upper free surface. Substances that flow become essentially horizontal in their containers (or other physical boundaries) because of gravity whereas most bulk solids pile at an angle of repose to a peak. The substance to be measured can be inside a container or can be in its natural form (e.g., a river or a lake). The level measurement can be either continuous or point values. Continuous level sensors measure level within a specified range and determine the exact amount of substance in a certain place, while point-level sensors only indicate whether the substance is above or below the sensing point. Generally the latter detect levels that are excessively high or low.

Chemical Oxygen Demand

In environmental chemistry, the chemical oxygen demand (COD) is an indicative measure of the amount of oxygen that can be consumed by reactions in a measured solution. It is commonly expressed in mass of oxygen consumed over volume of solution which in SI units is milligrams per litre (mg/L). A COD test can be used to easily quantify the amount of organics in water. The most common application of COD is in quantifying the amount of oxidizable pollutants found in surface water (e.g. lakes and rivers) or wastewater. COD is useful in terms of water quality by providing a metric to determine the effect an effluent will have on the receiving body, much like biochemical oxygen demand (BOD).

Dissolved Oxygen Meters

Oxygen saturation (symbol SO2) is a relative measure of the concentration of oxygen that is dissolved or carried in a given medium as a proportion of the maximal concentration that can be dissolved in that medium. It can be measured with a dissolved oxygen probe such as an oxygen sensor or an optode in liquid media, usually water. The standard unit of oxygen saturation is percent (%).

Conductivity Meters

An electrical conductivity meter (EC meter) measures the electrical conductivity in a solution. It is commonly used in hydroponics, aquaculture and freshwater systems to monitor the amount of nutrients, salts or impurities in the water.