KRÜSS HR Series Handheld Refractometers
A.KRÜSS Optronic

KRÜSS HR Series Handheld Refractometers

Series: Handheld refractometers

Model: HR Series (15 models)

The KRÜSS HR handheld range comprises 15 models for Brix, salinity, honey, wine, coolant, urine and refractive-index applications.

Application / measured object:

Rapid visual measurement on model-specific scales including %Brix, salinity, honey water content, coolant, specific gravity and refractive index.

Application area:

Product overview

The HR series consists of optical handheld refractometers requiring no external power. A small sample is placed on the prism and the model-specific scale is read directly through the eyepiece against a light source.

The “-T” suffix denotes automatic temperature compensation. Within the specified range, a mechanical bimetal mechanism corrects the scale reading directly without conversion tables. HRB90 and HRND instead include a 6–36 °C thermometer.

Models and core specifications

Model Scales and ranges Measurement accuracy Temperature function
HRB10-T %Brix: 0–10 ±0.1 %Brix Automatic temperature compensation, 10–30 °C
HRB18-T %Brix: 0–18 ±0.1 %Brix Automatic temperature compensation, 10–30 °C
HRB32-T %Brix: 0–32 ±0.2 %Brix Automatic temperature compensation, 10–30 °C
HRB62-T %Brix: 28–62 ±0.2 %Brix Automatic temperature compensation, 10–30 °C
HRB82-T %Brix: 45–82 ±0.2 %Brix Automatic temperature compensation, 10–30 °C
HRB90 %Brix: 0–90 ±0.2 %Brix Integrated thermometer: 6–36 °C
HRB92-T %Brix: 58–92; Baumé: 38–43 °Bé; water content in honey: 12–27% ±0.5 %Brix; ±0.5 °Bé; honey water content ±0.5% Automatic temperature compensation, 10–30 °C
HRH30-T Water content in honey: 12–30% ±0.1% Automatic temperature compensation, 10–30 °C
HRKFZ-T Ethylene/propylene glycol freeze point: −50–0 °C; battery-fluid density: 1.15–1.30 g/cm³ Freeze point ±5 °C; density ±0.01 g/cm³ Automatic temperature compensation, 10–30 °C
HRKFZG-T Battery-fluid density: 1.10–1.40; G11/G12/G13 freeze point: −50–0 °C; screenwash: −40–0 °C Battery-fluid density ±0.01 g/cm³; G11/G12/G13 ±1 °C; washer fluid ±5 °C Automatic temperature compensation
HRM18-T Refractive index nD: 1.3330–1.3600; serum protein: 0–12 g/dl; urine specific gravity: 1.000–1.050 nD ±0.0005; serum protein ±0.2 g/dl; urine specific gravity ±0.002 Automatic temperature compensation, 10–30 °C
HRND Refractive index nD: 1.3330–1.5170 nD ±0.0005 Integrated thermometer: 6–36 °C
HRO32-T %Brix: 0–32; grape-must concentration: 30–130 °Oe; potential alcohol: 4.4–19% ±0.2 %Brix; ±1 °Oe; potential alcohol ±0.1% Automatic temperature compensation, 10–30 °C
HRS10-T NaCl: 0–10%; specific gravity: 1.000–1.070 Salt content ±0.1%; specific gravity ±0.001 Automatic temperature compensation, 10–30 °C
HRS28-T NaCl: 0–28% ±0.2% Automatic temperature compensation, 10–30 °C

Advantages

Power-free field measurement

  • Optical eyepiece reading without battery or external power.
  • Compact design for production, incoming inspection, agriculture and laboratory checks.
  • Dedicated scales provide direct target-parameter readings and reduce conversions.

How automatic temperature compensation works

  • Most “-T” models correct temperature effects automatically from 10 to 30 °C.
  • The compensated scale value is visible directly through the eyepiece without a conversion table.
  • HRB90 and HRND use an integrated thermometer rather than automatic compensation.

Wide range of dedicated scales

  • Brix, honey water content, salinity, Baumé, grape-must concentration and potential alcohol.
  • Ethylene/propylene-glycol freeze point, battery-fluid density and screenwash freeze point.
  • Refractive index, serum protein and urine specific gravity for laboratory and medical work.

Using the specialised scales

Choose the scale for the sample

  • The Brix scale represents sucrose-solution concentration; other mixtures require the appropriate method or product-specific conversion factor.
  • HRO32-T potential alcohol is inferred from grape-must sugar content, not a direct measurement of alcohol in fermented wine.
  • Honey water content, salt, antifreeze temperature, battery-fluid density and serum-protein scales are not interchangeable.
RK02 solid calibration reference for high-Brix and honey models, available separately.
RK02 solid calibration reference for high-Brix and honey models, available separately.

General technical data

Item Official specification
Measurement principle Critical-angle optical refractometry
Reading Eyepiece reading on a model-specific scale
Light source Ambient light
Power supply No battery or external power required
Automatic temperature-compensation range 10–30 °C on most “-T” models; model-dependent

Application areas

For rapid checks of juice, wine, beer, coffee, fruit, honey and syrup, and of brine, coolant, emulsions, battery fluid and medical samples in food, agriculture, viticulture, brewing, beekeeping, automotive, laboratory and industrial work.

Calibration standards and consumables

RK02 solid calibration standards and contact liquid are available for HRB82-T, HRB92-T and HRH30-T. Optional HRK01 covers, HRK02 covers with metal hinges, and cinnamon-oil contact liquid are also available.

Service support

  • Experienced specialists provide product selection, application and operation support.
  • Calibration, maintenance and maintenance contracts can be discussed as required.

Selection guidance

First define the measured parameter and range, then verify accuracy and whether automatic temperature compensation or an integrated thermometer is required. For multi-scale models, confirm every scale, unit and range.