Lovibond® 3000 Comparator Series

Colour Measurement | Lovibond® Comparator Systems | Lovibond® 3000 Comparator Series

Lovibond® 3000 Comparator Rosin Scale, AF 670

Lovibond® Rosin Scale Comparator 3000
The US Naval Stores Rosin Scale specified in ASTM D 509 is the most widely used agreed method for assessing the colour quality of Rosin. Letters are assigned to each of the 15 colour standards in the scale - XC (lightest), XB, XA, X, WW, WG, N, M, K, I, H, G, F, E, D (darkest).

The Lovibond® Rosin Scale Comparator 3000 is a 3-field instrument for visually determining the US Naval Stores Rosin colour of samples by direct comparison with coloured glass standards. It incorporates the 15 glass filters that make up the scale in a pair of discs:

Disc Range
1 - XC, XA, WW, N, K, H, F, D
2 - XB, X, WG, M, I, G, E

With a 3-section field of view, the sample and two adjacent standards on the US Naval Stores Rosin Colour scale are viewed simultaneously, making it easier to achieve the optimum colour match. For rapid colour grading within predetermined colour limits, the glass standards can be set to the two limiting colours, making it easy to see if the sample is within tolerance. The tungsten halogen light source is colour corrected to CIE standard illuminant C, which guarantees constant lighting conditions for colour grading, day or night and whatever the ambient lighting.

Principle of Operation
The sample is poured into the Rosin cell supplied and placed in the sample chamber. The sample is viewed through a prism which brings the sample and the colour standards into adjoining fields of view. The two discs containing the colour standards are rotated by turning the control knobs on the front of the comparator until the colour of the sample falls between two standards which are 1 US Naval Stores Rosin Colour unit apart, or until it exactly matches one of the standards. The reading given directly as Naval Stores Rosin Colour is then taken from the scale on the control knobs.This method is not specified in the official method, ASTM D 509, but will give equivalent results.

Technical Specification
Measuring principle : Visual comparison with coloured glass standards
Mode : Transmittance
Viewing system : Prismatic with integral blue filter for light standardisation
Light source : Tungsten halogen lamp, 12 Volt, 20 Watt
Illuminant : C
Power pack : 12 Volt ac, switchable to suit 220/110 Volt supply
Approvals : CE
Instrument housing : Fabricated mild steel
Dimensions : Width 235 mm, depth 245 mm, height 90 mm
Weight : 4.9 kg

The Lovibond Rosin Scale Comparator 3000 is supplied with a special holder for rosin samples, which is designed to recreate the measuring conditions experienced with the Rosin cubes. This is a metal-sided cell with glass ends.

Lovibond® 3000 Comparator Whisky Scale, AF 607/52

Lovibond® Whisky Scale Comparator 3000 AF 607/52
The Series 52 (Brown) Scale (also known as Lovibond in the US) was originally designed for colour measurement in the brewing and distilling industries. It has been largely superseded by the EBC colour scales for the colour grading of beers in Europe but it is still used for beers in the US and for whiskies. The standard version includes a series of 23 amber/brown glasses in 3 racks as listed below. Other values are also available.

The Lovibond® Whisky Scale Comparator 3000 is a 3-field instrument for visually determining the Series 52 (Brown) colour scale of samples by direct comparison with coloured glass standards. The Series 52 (Brown) colour standards that cover the range 4 - 30 in steps of 1 unit are arranged in two pairs of discs as follows. The comparator is designed so that the pairs of discs can be easily changed over.

Colour discs:
disc 1 (4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20)
disc 2 (5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21)
disc 3 (20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30)
disc 4 (21, 23, 25, 27, 29)

With a 3-section field of view, the sample and two adjacent standards on the Series 52 (Brown) Colour scale are viewed simultaneously, making it easier to achieve the optimum colour match. For rapid colour grading within predetermined colour limits, the glass standards can be set to the two limiting colours, making it easy to see if the sample is within tolerance. The tungsten halogen light source is colour corrected to CIE standard illuminant C, which guarantees constant lighting conditions for Series 52 (Brown) colour grading, day or night, whatever the ambient lighting.

Principle of Operation
The sample is poured into a 25 mm cell and placed in the sample hole in the comparator. The sample is viewed through a prism that brings the sample and the colour standards into adjoining fields of view. Using the relevant pair of discs, turn the control knobs on the front of the comparator until the colour of the sample falls between two standards, or until it exactly matches one of the standards. The reading given, directly as Series 52 (Brown) colour is then taken from the scale on the instrument.

Technical Specification
Measuring principle : Visual comparison with coloured glass standards
Mode Transmittance : Viewing system Prismatic with integral blue filter for light standardisation
Light source : Tungsten halogen lamp, 12 Volt, 20 Watt
Illuminant : Approximates to daylight
Power pack : 12 Volt ac, switchable to suit 220/110 Volt supply
Approvals : CE
Instrument housing : Fabricated mild steel
Dimensions : Width 235 mm, depth 245 mm, height 90 mm
Weight : 4.9 kg

The Lovibond Whisky Scale (Brown) Comparator 3000 is supplied with a single W680 fused optical glass cell of 25 mm path length.

Lovibond® 3000 Comparator Gardner AF 228 - Gardner Colour Scale (ASTM D1544)

Lovibond® Gardner Comparator 3000, AF 228

Gardner Colour Scale
The Gardner Colour scale as specified in ASTM D1544 is a single number colour scale for grading light transmitting samples with colour characteristics ranging from light yellow to brownish red. It is widely used for oils, paint and chemicals, such as resins, varnishes, lacquers, drying oils, fatty acids, lecithin, sunflower oil, linseed oil. The scale is defined by the chromaticities of glass standards numbered from 1 for the lightest to 18 for the darkest.

Lovibond® Gardner Comparator 3000, AF 228
The Lovibond® Gardner Comparator 3000 is a 3-field instrument for visually determining the Gardner Colour of samples by direct comparison with coloured glass standards. It incorporates the 18 glass standards which make up the scale in a pair of discs:

Colour discs:
4/30-1 (1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17)
4/30-2 (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18)

With a 3-section field of view, the sample and two adjacent standards on the Gardner Colour scale are viewed
simultaneously, making it easier to achieve the optimum colour match. For rapid colour grading within predetermined colour limits, the glass standards can be set to the two limiting colours, making it easy to see if the sample is within tolerance. The tungsten halogen light source is colour corrected to CIE standard illuminant C, which guarantees constant lighting conditions for colour grading, day or night, whatever the ambient lighting.

Principle of Operation
The sample is poured into a 10.65 mm diameter test tube and placed in the sample hole in the comparator. The sample is viewed through a prism which brings the sample and the colour standards into adjoining fields of view. The two discs containing the colour standards are rotated by turning the control knobs on the front of the comparator until the colour of the sample falls between two standards which are 1 Gardner Colour unit apart, or until it exactly matches one of the standards. The reading given directly as Gardner Colour is then taken from the scale on the control knobs.

Technical Specification
Measuring principle : Visual comparison with coloured glass standards
Mode : Transmittance
Viewing system : Prismatic with integral blue filter for light standardisation
Light source : Tungsten halogen lamp, 12 Volt, 20 Watt
Illuminant : C
Power pack : 12 Volt ac, switchable to suit 220/110 Volt supply
Approvals : CE
Instrument housing : Fabricated mild steel
Dimensions : Width 235 mm, depth 245 mm, height 90 mm
Weight : 4.9 kg

The Lovibond Gardner Comparator 3000 is supplied with a single test tube of 10.65 mm diameter.

Lovibond® 3000 Comparator FAC AF 229 - FAC Colour Scale (AOCS Cc 13a)

FAC Colour Scale
The FAC Colour scale as specified in AOCS Official Method Cc 13a-43 is a single number colour scale that is approved by the Fats Analysis Committee of the American Oil Chemists Society for grading dark coloured oils, fats and tallow. It includes 26 colour standards divided into 5 groups: Scale 1 (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) for lighter coloured fats; Scale 2 (11, 11A, 11B, 11C) predominantly for yellow fats; Scale 3 (13, 15, 17, 19) for dark fats (red cast); Scale 4 (21, 23, 25, 27, 29) for very dark fats, predominantly green; Scale 5 (31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45) for very dark fats, predominantly red.

Lovibond® FAC Comparator 3000, AF 229
The Lovibond® FAC Comparator 3000 is a 3-field instrument for visually determining the FAC Colour of samples by direct comparison with coloured glass standards. The FAC colour standards that make up the scale are arranged in two pairs of discs as follows.

Disc Position Colour Standards
4/32A left hand 1, 5, 9, 11A, 11B, 11C, 13, 17, 21
4/32B right hand 3, 7, 11, 11A, 11B, 11C, 15, 19, 23
4/32C left hand 25, 29, 33, 37, 41, 45
4/32D right hand 27, 31, 35, 39, 43

The comparator is designed so that the pairs of discs can be easily changed over. With a 3-section field of view, the sample and two adjacent standards on the FAC Colour scale are viewed simultaneously, making it easier to achieve the optimum colour match. For rapid colour grading within predetermined colour limits, the glass standards can be set to the two limiting colours, making it easy to see if the sample is within tolerance. The tungsten halogen light source is colour corrected to CIE standard illuminant C, which guarantees constant lighting conditions for colour grading, day or night, whatever the ambient lighting.

Principle of Operation
The sample is poured into a 10.65 mm diameter test tube and placed in the sample hole in the comparator. The sample is viewed through a prism that brings the sample and the colour standards into adjoining fields of view. Using the relevant pair of discs, turn the control knobs on the front of the comparator until the colour of the sample falls between two standards, or until it exactly matches one of the standards. The reading given, directly as FAC Colour, is then taken from the scale on the instrument.

Technical Specification
Measuring principle : Visual comparison with coloured glass standards
Mode : Transmittance
Viewing system : Prismatic with integral blue filter for light standardisation
Light source : Tungsten halogen lamp, 12 Volt, 20 Watt
Illuminant : C
Power pack : 12 Volt ac, switchable to suit 220/110 Volt supply
Approvals : CE
Instrument housing : Fabricated mild steel
Dimensions : Width 235 mm, depth 245 mm, height 90 mm
Weight : 4.9 kg

The Lovibond FAC Comparator 3000 is supplied with a single test tube of 10.65 mm diameter.

Lovibond® 3000 Comparator EBC 3000, AF 607

Colour Grading according to the EBC Colour Scale

The EBC colour scale, developed by the Institute of Brewing and the European Brewing Convention, is a recognised method for colour grading of beers, malts and caramel solutions as well as similarly coloured liquids. It has a range of 2 to 27 visual units, yellower pale worts and lagers at the low end of the scale and the redder colour of dark worts, beers and caramels at the upper end of the scale. If the sample falls outside this range (eg concentrates, syrups) then sample dilution and a different path length cell can be used to bring the reading within the EBC range.

Lovibond® EBC Comparator 3000 AF 607
The Lovibond® EBC Comparator 3000 is a 3-field instrument for visually determining the EBC Colour of samples by direct comparison with coloured glass standards. The EBC colour standards that cover the range 2 -10 in steps of 0.5 EBC and 10 - 27 in steps of 1 EBC are arranged in two pairs of discs as follows. The comparator is designed so that the pairs of discs can be easily changed over.

Lovibond Disc Code / EBC Colour Standards
EBC/1 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
EBC/2 (2.5, 3.5, 4.5, 5.5, 6.5, 7.5, 8.5, 9.5, 11)
EBC/3 (10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26)
EBC/4 (11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27)

With a 3-section field of view, the sample and two adjacent standards on the EBC Colour scale are viewed simultaneously, making it easier to achieve the optimum colour match. For rapid colour grading within predetermined colour limits, the glass standards can be set to the two limiting colours, making it easy to see if the sample is within tolerance. The tungsten halogen light source is colour corrected to CIE standard illuminant B, which guarantees constant lighting conditions for EBC colour grading, day or night, whatever the ambient lighting.

Principle of Operation
Sample dilution and the cell path length (5 - 40 mm depending on their saturation) are chosen to bring the reading within the standard EBC range. The cell is placed in the sample chamber and the sample is viewed through a prism that brings the sample and the colour standards into adjoining fields of view. Using the relevant pair of discs, turn the control knobs on the front of the comparator until the colour of the sample falls between two standards, or until it exactly matches one of the standards. The reading is then taken from the scale on the control knobs. However EBC Colour is always reported as if it were undiluted and measured in a 25 mm path length cell using the following equation:

EBC Colour = Reading x dilution factor x 25/path length in mm

Technical Specification
Measuring principle : Visual comparison with coloured glass standards
Mode Transmittance : Viewing system Prismatic with integral blue filter for light standardisation
Light source Tungsten halogen lamp, 12 Volt, 20 Watt
Illuminant : B
Power pack : 12 Volt ac, switchable to suit 220/110 Volt supply
Approvals CE
Instrument housing : Fabricated mild steel
Dimensions Width : 235 mm, depth 245 mm, height 90 mm
Weight : 4.9 kg

The Lovibond EBC Comparator 3000 is supplied with a single W680 fused optical glass cell of 25 mm path length.

Lovibond® 3000 Comparator - Petroleum Oils Comparator, ASTM Color (ASTM D 1500) - AF650

Colour Grading of Petroleum Products according to the ASTM Color Scale (ASTM D1500)

Lovibond® Petroleum Oils Comparator, AF650

ASTM Color Scale ASTM Color as specified in ASTM D1500 is a single number colour scale for grading petroleum products. The scale is defined by 16 glass standards of specified luminous transmittance and chromaticity, graduated in steps of 0.5 from 0.5 for the lightest colour to 8.0 for the darkest. It is intended for a variety of petroleum products such as lubricating oils, heating oils, diesel fuel oils, mineral insulating oil and solid petroleum waxes and has been adopted by other standardising bodies.

Lovibond® Petroleum Oils Comparator
The Lovibond® Petroleum Oils Comparator is a 3-field instrument for visually determining the ASTM Colour of samples by direct Oils Comparator comparison with coloured glass standards. It incorporates the 16 glass standards which make up the scale in a pair of discs:

Disc Colour Standards
1 0.5,1.5, 2.5, 3.5, 4.5, 5.5, 6.5, 7.5
2 1.0,2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, 6.0, 7.0, 8.0

Principle of Operation
Three cylindrical glass sample jars with an internal diameter of 33mm are housed in the 3-section sample container; the central of Operation jar is half filled with the sample and the outer ones are filled with distilled water. The sample is viewed through a prism which brings the sample and the standards into adjoining fields of view. The two discs containing the colour standards are rotated by turing the control knobs on the front of the comparator until the colour of the oil sample falls between two standards which are 0.5 apart, or until it exactly matches one of the standards. The reading given directly as ASTM Color is then taken from the scale on the control knobs. Samples which are not clear, such as petroleum waxes, can be heated to above the cloud point; samples that are darker than 8.0 colour can be diluted with solvent kerosine.

Technical Specification
Measuring principle : Visual comparison with permanently coloured glass standards
Mode : Transmittance
Light source : Tungsten halogen lamp, 12 Volt, 20 Watt
Illuminant : C
Path length : 33mm
Power pack : 12 Volt ac, switchable to suit 220/110 Volt supply
Approvals : CE
Instrument housing : Fabricated mild steel
Dimensions : Width 255

The Lovibond Petroleum Oils Comparator is supplied with a set of three cylindrical glass sample jars.

Colour Measurement | Lovibond® Comparator Systems | Lovibond® 3000 Comparator Series