Digital Sucrose in Wine and Grape Products Refractometer – HI96814

The HI96814 Digital Sucrose in Wine and Grape Products Refractometer converts the
refractive index of wine juice or must to sucrose concentration in units of percent by weight,
% Brix (also referred to as °Brix). The conversion used is based on the ICUMSA Methods Book
(International Commission for Uniform Methods of Sugar Analysis). Since the majority of
sugar in grape juice is fructose and glucose and not sucrose, the reading is sometimes
referred to as “Apparent Brix”.
In addition to % Brix, HI96814 includes two other scales used in the wine industry: °Oechsle
and °KMW.
°Oechsle (°Oe) is mainly used in the German, Swiss and Luxembourgish winemaking industry
to measure the sugar content of must. The °Oe scale is based on specific gravity at 20°C ((S.G.
(20/20)) and is the first 3 digits following the decimal point. One °Oe is roughly equal to 0.2 %
Brix.
°Oe = [(S.G.(20/20)) – 1] x 1000
°Klosterneuburger Mostwaage (°KMW) is used in Austria to measure the sugar content of
must. °KMW is related to °Oe by the following equation: °Oe = °KMW x [(0.022 x °KMW) +
4.54] 1 °KMW is roughly equivalent to 1% Brix or 5 °Oe. °KMW is also known as °Babo.
• 0 to 50 % Brix range with a ±0.2% Brix accuracy
• 0 to 230° Oechsle range with a ±1 °Oe accuracy
• 0 to 42° KMW range with a ±0.1° KMW accuracy
This optical instrument employs the measurement of the refractive index to determine
parameters pertinent to sugar concentration analysis and is rugged, portable and water
resistant for measurements in the lab or field.

Refractive Index
The actual measurement of refractive index is simple, quick and provides the operator a
standard accepted method for sugar content analysis. Samples are measured after a simple
user calibration with deionized or distilled water. Within seconds these instruments measure
the refractive index, apply any necessary calculations and display the results in the selected
unit. These digital refractometers eliminate the uncertainty associated with mechanical
refractometers and are easily portable for measurements in the field.
Features
This digital refractometer utilizes internationally recognized references for unit conversion
and temperature compensation and 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 messages.
• Easy measurement
• Place a few drops of the sample in the well and press the READ key
• Quick, accurate results
• Readings are displayed in approximately 1.5 seconds
• Rubberized keypad
• IP65 water protection
• Built to perform under harsh laboratory and field conditions
• Small sample size
• Sample size can be as small as 2 metric drops
• Dual-level LCD
• The dual-level LCD displays measurement and temperature readings
simultaneously
• ABS thermoplastic casing
• Stainless steel sample well
• Easy to clean and corrosion-resistant
• Startup
• When powered on, the meter displays battery life and the set measurement units
• Unit selection
• Pressing the RANGE key quickly cycles through the units of measurement (if
applicable)
• Automatic Temperature Compensation

• For exceptionally accurate measurements
• Single-point calibration
• Calibrate with distilled or deionized water
• BEPS (Battery Error Prevention System)
• Alerts the user in the event that low battery power could adversely affect readings
• Automatic shut-off after three minutes of non-use
Primary Applications:
Grape and must samples in wine production.