ABV Kit
Alcohol Measurement by Refractometer and Hydrometer

The alcohol content of a beer, wine and cider can be calculated from the
readings of two instruments; an Eclipse Wine (ABV) refractometer and a
standard hydrometer measuring specific gravity.

The alcohol content can then be read directly from a graph or after carrying
out simple calculations, from a table supplied with the refractometer manual.

Only a few drops of sample are needed to make the refractometer reading,
while the S.G. is measured in the usual way with the hydrometer jar. The
process takes only a few minutes to carry out and an accuracy of about ±0.5%
alcohol can be obtained using reasonable care in ensuring that both readings
are made at the same temperature.

If the instrument is used with care and cleaned as recommended after use, it
should give many years of accurate and trouble-free service.

Equipment required:

• Eclipse Wine (%ABV) refractometer with a “Zeiss scale” (Code 45-22)
• Hydrometer or Saccharometer
• Hydrometer jar
• Pipette or other suitable applicator

Measurement method:

1. Siphon off enough of the finished sample to fill the hydrometer jar to
   required level and leave all the equipment with it in a place free from
   draughts and direct sunlight for at least an hour to attain room
   temperature.
2. Measure the S.G. as accurately as possible and record.
3. Measure the refractive index of the sample in Zeiss units using the
   Eclipse Wine refractometer.
4. The alcohol content in %ABV can be read from a graph or
   alternatively, calculated from the R-D value as shown below to obtain
   %ABV from a table supplied with the instrument.
   R-D = R (Refractometer reading) – D (S.G. value)
   where D (S.G. value) = (S.G. – l) x 1000

Examples Light dry table wine S.G. = 0.993 & Refractometer reading = 37 D (S.G. value) = (0.993 – 1) x 1000 = -7 R-D = 37 – (-7) = 44 Alcohol content = 10.7%v/v Sweet dessert wine or Sweet Cider S.G. = 1.015 & Refractometer reading = 72.5 D (S.G. value) = (1.015 – 1) x 1000 = +15 R-D = 72.5 – (+15) = 57.5 Alcohol content = 15.7%v/v

Order Code Description 45-22 Eclipse Wine (%ABV) refractometer 44-839 Hydrometer 0.98 to 1.0 50 S.G. 44-838 Hydrometer Jar

Note: Due to the achievable accuracy of this measurement system, results may not be suitable for duty declaration.