Calibrate your refractometer!!!!!!! - 1.030

[xyzpdq0121]

Ok Jeremy, now you are just trying to be difficult!

Yes you CAN calibrate your refractometer against two sources, just know that if it need to be, your refract is defunct and you would be better off getting a new one. You can calibrate it at the low end but it could be off at the high end, you can calibrate it at the high end but then it could be off at the low end. You should always check the two points atleast once just to make sure.

 

[cameron]

Straight out of the dictionary:

calibrate: to determine, check, or rectify the graduation

IMO, checking the graduation is exactly what you are doing when you VALIDATE or CHECK it against two sources.

 

[jmaneyapanda]

Alright, I guess my definition/understanding of "calibration" was out of whack. I assumed it was making compensatory adjustment to the tool to the checked graduation. I get what I deserve for assuming. My bad- I was wrong.

 

[cameron]

Well in all honesty, I think validate is a better term as calibrate has multiple meanings and does somewhat imply that you need to use two sources at each "calibration" rather than once.... I was just nitpicking you back.

 

[schwaggs]

From Websters Dictionary:
Entry: cal·i·brate
Pronunciation: 'ka-l&-"brAt
Function: transitive verb</em>
Inflected Form(s): -brat·ed; -brat·ing
Date: circa 1864
1 : to ascertain the http://www2.merriam-webster.com/cgi-bin/mwdictsn?book=Dictionary&va=caliber"><span style="color: #0000ff;">caliber</span></a> of (as a thermometer tube)
[B]2[/B] [B]:[/B] to determine, rectify, or mark the graduations of (as a thermometer tube)
[B]3[/B] [B]:[/B] to standardize (as a measuring instrument) by determining the deviation from a standard so as to ascertain the proper correction factors
[B]4[/B] [B]:[/B] to adjust precisely for a particular function
[B]5[/B] [B]:[/B] to measure precisely; [I]especially</em> [B]:[/B] to measure against a standard
- [B]cal·i·bra·tor[/B] /-"brA-t&r/ [I]noun</em>

When we talk about calibrating a pH meter, we are revering to definition 3. When you calibrate your refractometer to a standard (either distilled water OR a 1.030 standard) you are also performing definition 3. Once the item has been calibrated using one standard and you "calibrate" it against another standard, you are using defintion 5 above.

I think what Jimmy was trying to point out is that you cannot perform a 2 point calibration of a refractometer. It simply does not have a high and a low calibration adjustment. You can calibrate it at 0 and verify it's accuacy at 1.030 OR you can calibtate it at 1.030 and varify its accuracy using a different standard. You cannot dual point calibrate a instrument with a fixed scale such as our refractometer in the same way you cannot dual point calibrate a glass thermometer with a pre-printed scale on it.

 

[cameron]

OMG! Here is a definition from several sources:

http://dictionary.reference.com/help/luna.html"><span style="color: #0000ff;">Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)</span></a> - [IMG]http://dictionary.reference.com/cite.html?qh=calibrate&ia=luna"><span style="color: #0000ff;">Cite This Source</span></a>
cal·i·brate [IMG]http://cache.lexico.com/g/d/premium.gif" alt="" /> [IMG]http://cache.lexico.com/dictionary/graphics/luna/thinsp.png alt="" />

alt="" />&#601;&#716;bre&#618;t/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[kal-uh</em>-breyt] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation &#8211;verb (used with object), -brat·ed, -brat·ing. 1.to determine, check, or rectify the graduation of (any instrument giving quantitative measurements). 2.to divide or mark with gradations, graduations, or other indexes of degree, quantity, etc., as on a thermometer, measuring cup, or the like. 3.to determine the correct range for (an artillery gun, mortar, etc.) by observing where the fired projectile hits. 4.to plan or devise (something) carefully so as to have a precise use, application, appeal, etc.: a sales strategy calibrated to rich investors.


http://dictionary.reference.com/help/ahd4.html"><span style="color: #666666;">American Heritage Dictionary</span></a> - [IMG]http://dictionary.reference.com/cite.html?qh=calibrate&ia=ahd4">[I]<span style="color: #666666;">Cite This Source</span></em></a> [B]cal·i·brate[/B] [IMG]http://cache.lexico.com/g/d/premium.gif" alt="" /> [IMG]https://secure.reference.com/premium/login.html?rd=2&u=http%3A%2F%2Fdictionary.reference.com%2Fbrowse%2Fcalibrate">[IMG]http://cache.lexico.com/g/d/speaker.gif" alt="" /></a> (k&#257;l'&#601;-br&#257;t') [IMG]http://cache.lexico.com/help/ahd4/pronkey.html"><span style="color: #568c1e;">Pronunciation Key</span></a>
tr.v. [B]cal·i·brat·ed[/B], [B]cal·i·brat·ing[/B], [B]cal·i·brates[/B]
<ol>
<li>[B]To check, adjust, or determine by comparison with a standard (the graduations of a quantitative measuring instrument): [I]calibrate a thermometer.</em>[/B]</li>
<li>To determine the caliber of (a tube).</li>
<li>To make corrections in; adjust: [I]calibrated the polling procedures to ensure objectivity.</em></li>
</ol>
[IMG]http://dictionary.reference.com/help/ahsd.html"><span style="color: #666666;">The American Heritage Science Dictionary</span></a> - [IMG]http://dictionary.reference.com/cite.html?qh=calibrate&ia=ahsd">[I]<span style="color: #666666;">Cite This Source</span></em></a> [B]calibrate[/B] [IMG]http://cache.lexico.com/g/d/premium.gif" alt="" /> [IMG]https://secure.reference.com/premium/login.html?rd=2&u=http%3A%2F%2Fdictionary.reference.com%2Fbrowse%2Fcalibrate">[IMG]http://cache.lexico.com/g/d/speaker.gif" alt="" /></a> (k&#257;l'&#601;-br&#257;t') [IMG]http://cache.lexico.com/help/ahsd/pronkey.html"><span style="color: #568c1e;">Pronunciation Key</span></a>
<ol>
<li>[B]To check, adjust, or standardize a measuring instrument, usually by comparing it with an accepted model. [/B]</li>
<li>To measure the diameter of the inside of a tube.</li>
</ol>
[IMG]http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/00-database-info?db=ahsmd"><span style="color: #666666;">American Heritage Stedman's Medical Dictionary</span></a> - [IMG]http://dictionary.reference.com/cite.html?qh=calibrate&ia=ahsmd">[I]<span style="color: #666666;">Cite This Source</span></em></a>

[B]cal·i·brate[/B] (k[IMG]http://cache.lexico.com/dictionary/graphics/AHD4/GIF/abreve.gif" alt="" />l[IMG]http://cache.lexico.com/dictionary/graphics/AHD4/GIF/prime.gif" alt="" />[IMG]http://cache.lexico.com/dictionary/graphics/AHD4/GIF/schwa.gif" alt="" />-br[IMG]http://cache.lexico.com/dictionary/graphics/AHD4/GIF/amacr.gif" alt="" />t[IMG]http://cache.lexico.com/dictionary/graphics/AHD4/GIF/lprime.gif" alt="" />)
[I]v.</em> [B]<span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;">cal·i·brat·ed</span>[/B], [B]<span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;">cal·i·brat·ing</span>[/B], [B]<span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;">cal·i·brates</span>[/B] <ol>
<li>[B]To check, adjust, or determine the graduations of a quantitative measuring instrument by comparison with a standard. [/B]</li>
<li>To determine the caliber of a tube.</li>
<li>To make corrections in or adjust a procedure or process.</li>
</ol>I am right in telling people that checking, validating and yes calibrating your refractometer against a source close to where you measure is proper. I admitted validate is a better choice of wording. Let it go...

 

[schwaggs]

Geezee cameron, no need to get snippy. I was compsing my post when you admitted that "verify" was a better word... I was only trying to help...

 

[cameron]

It isn't you. It is the tooth and nail debate on the symantics of this arguement which was carried over from another thread that has me riled up... that and a few other threads/pms on the boards that have people getting pissy at me for one reason or another. Sometimes I wonder why I try and share what I know. It seems to upset enough people in one way or another that it makes it not worth showing up and helping out.

 

[schwaggs]

I understand... 'nuff said on the subject :cheers: