In all honesty, we had no idea refractometers had so many uses in so many different industries:
Refractometers work on the principle of refraction, or the bending of the path of a beam of light as it passes through a medium of some sort. Different mediums will cause the light to bend in different amounts and thus a direct relation between concentration and changes in light path exists.
Below you will find a listing of 20 different refractometers currently available from National Safety Products
Back in the old days a technician would break out some soapy water and coat areas of an air or gas line he/ suspected of leaking and wait to see if any bubbles formed. We imagine that after a few accidental electrocutions, because water and high voltage equipment typically do not mix, someone came up with a safer, better and more efficient way to detect air and gas leaks: Ultrasonic Leak Detectors.
Ever have a problem w/ moisture ruining a loaf of bread prematurely? Or how about a colony of mold and/or mildew showing up on material that did not dry properly before getting folded up and put away?
Those problems do not COMPARE to the problems farmers go through if they do not keep accurate tabs on the moisture levels inside their hay and grain bales. If the levels get out of range, their crops can spoil and that means devastating financial problems for their business.
The GrainMaster comes with an integrated grinder-compressor unit that enables the user to take on-site moisture readings in ground samples quickly and easily.
Along with the GrainMaster, which comes in a handy carrying pouch, you also get a grinder-compressor unit, grain cup, sample spoon, brush and ‘Quickcheck’.
Besides having the ability to detect moisture levels from 0% to 100%, the GrainMaster has 15 pre-programmed calibrations for Wheat, Barley, Oats, Oilseed Rape, Canola, Linseed, Peas, Corn, Sunflower, Coffee, Soya, Rice, Sorghum, Paddy and Beans.
Need to test down inside a bale or down in a barrel? No problem. You can pick up optional probes for measuring temperature in stored grain (GRN6046) and moisture levels in baled hay and straw (GRN6138) as well.
Consider this part two in a series of two blog postings about testing the hardness of steel per ASTM A956… simply because we saw a second meter that you can use for this sort of testing.
Tony from Orlando asked, “What is the ASTM Test Method associated with testing the hardness of steel and what type of instrument is used?”
Well, Tony, we know of several different hardness scales including Shore A, Shore D, Rockwell, Vickers and Brinell. We imagine that you COULD measure hardness of steel using any of those scales, but we also know about ASTM A956 — Standard Test Method for Leeb Hardness Testing of Steel Products.
For those not familiar with ASTM A956, you can read a synopsis of the method’s purpose and scope below.
ASTM A956
Significance and Use
Hardness of a material is a poorly defined term that may have many meanings depending on the type of test performed and the expectations of the person involved. The Leeb hardness test is of the dynamic or rebound type, which primarily depends both on the plastic and on the elastic properties of the material being tested. The results obtained are indicative of the strength and dependent on the heat treatment of the material tested.
The Leeb hardness test is a superficial determination only measuring the condition of the surface contacted. The results generated at that location do not represent the part at any other surface location and yield no information about the material at subsurface locations.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the Leeb hardness of steel, cast steel, and cast iron (Part A), including the methods for the verification of Leeb hardness testing instruments (Part B), and the calibration of standardized test blocks (Part C).
Note 1The original title of this standard was “Standard Test Method for Equotip Hardness Testing of Steel Products.”
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
ASTM Standards
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
You can purchase a full copy of the method on the ASTM Web Site.
For those interested in purchasing a meter to test hardness of steel per ASTM A956, take a look at this meter: Hardness Tester ASTM Rated Professional Pen Style (EMHT40).
OK, so if you don’t already know what the term ‘wet bulb globe temperature’ means, don’t worry. We didn’t, either, before writing this blog entry.
The term refers to the way the human body ‘feels’ in response to actual temperature, real-time exposure to sunlight, and humidity. Many refer to the wet bulb globe temperature, often as WBGT, as heat index.
As the Summer months slowly start to creep into the Northern Hemisphere, and temperatures along with humidity readings begin to climb, industrial hygienists, athletic trainers, the military, Summer Camp administrators all over start to keep a close watch on the weather not just to make sure on one gets caught in the rain, but to make sure people under their charge don’t wind up getting heat stroke!
Instruments like the Heat Index Monitor Wet Bulb Globe Meter (WBGT8758) w/ 40mm Black Globe take the guesswork out of heat index monitoring and provide instant, on-the-spot heat index data.
Features of the Heat Index Monitor Wet Bulb Globe Meter (WBGT8758) w/ 40mm Black Globe include
Tony from Orlando asked, “What is the ASTM Test Method associated with testing the hardness of steel and what type of instrument is used?”
Well, Tony, we know of several different hardness scales including Shore A, Shore D, Rockwell, Vickers and Brinell. We imagine that you COULD measure hardness of steel using any of those scales, but we also know about ASTM A956 — Standard Test Method for Leeb Hardness Testing of Steel Products.
For those not familiar with ASTM A956, you can read a synopsis of the method’s purpose and scope below.
ASTM A956
Significance and Use
Hardness of a material is a poorly defined term that may have many meanings depending on the type of test performed and the expectations of the person involved. The Leeb hardness test is of the dynamic or rebound type, which primarily depends both on the plastic and on the elastic properties of the material being tested. The results obtained are indicative of the strength and dependent on the heat treatment of the material tested.
The Leeb hardness test is a superficial determination only measuring the condition of the surface contacted. The results generated at that location do not represent the part at any other surface location and yield no information about the material at subsurface locations.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the Leeb hardness of steel, cast steel, and cast iron (Part A), including the methods for the verification of Leeb hardness testing instruments (Part B), and the calibration of standardized test blocks (Part C).
Note 1The original title of this standard was “Standard Test Method for Equotip Hardness Testing of Steel Products.”
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
ASTM Standards
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
You can purchase a full copy of the method on the ASTM Web Site.
For those interested in purchasing a meter to test hardness of steel per ASTM A956, take a look at this meter: Hardness Gauge: Digital Portable Ultrasonic Tester (UTEMHT20) with Hard Case & Batteries.
Yes, we have come back to the topic of testing underage persons to make sure they have not consumed alcohol. In light of recent tragedies involving underage drinkers getting behind the wheel and driving, most schools have adopted a Zero Tolerance policy regarding alcohol and school functions… such as proms, pep rallies and football games.
Everyone associated with the Test-For.Com web site agrees with the Zero Tolerance policy for alcohol at school functions and wants to make sure parents, chaperones and school officials have the tools they need to make sure all students follow the rules.
Alcohol Testing Methods…
When it comes to on-the-spot testing for alcohol, you have three basic methods to choose from: Single Use Breathalyzers, Single Use Saliva Test Kits and Digital Alcohol Meters.
No teenager or young adult should have to go to jail or die from drinking and driving on Prom Night when all a concerned parent or chaperone has to do is administer a simple .02% BAC Alcohol Test — which costs less than $5.
Think you’ll want to administer testing on a grander level? Take a look at the One Step Alcohol Saliva Test Strip which comes in a bundle of 25 and costs around $50… and has a low detection level of of .02% BAC.
Remember: Taking a few minutes to inconvenience a student suspected of drinking at a school function could save them from ruining their life with a criminal record and/or ending their life an possibly the lives of others.
With that said, we highly suggest that school officials allocate a few dollars of Prom funds for on-the-spot alcohol tests, warn students that testing could happen, and then make sure it does happen if a student appears under the influence of alcohol at the event.
Want an easy way to measure the pH and moisture levels in your gardening soil? Hire a good gardener and let them worry about it!
Oh, you can’t afford a gardener, either, eh? No problem. Thankfully someone got smart and bundled a set of soil pH and soil moisture meters… and we can leave them in the soil until the next time we need them. The things don’t even need batteries!
Now if we could only figure out a way to get the weeds to remove themselves, the plants to fertilize themselves, and the neighbor’s dog to stop peeing on the plants…
In today’s world the majority of us spend most of our time indoors. Whether at work, at home, out shopping at the mall, out to eat, or out to get wasted at a local tavern, it does not matter. The majority of us spend more time indoors than we do outdoors.
Therefore it should come as no surprise that the quality of the air we breathe matters and can have a pronounced effect on our wellness if the quality drops. We can get headaches, become ill, pass out, and even die (in extreme cases).
What Parameters Matter?
We won’t patronize you by listing off harmful gases and toxic fumes. If you don’t already know that sitting in an unventilated room with an open bucket of kerosene, toluene, paint thinner, etc. can seriously harm you… then we can’t save you.
Instead, we want to talk about temperature, humidity and carbon dioxide. The values of these three seemingly harmless indoor air quality parameters can make quite a big difference to people’s breathing comfort.
Temperature & Humidity:
There is no “ideal” humidity level and temperature suitable for all building occupants. Many factors, such as personal activity and clothing may affect personal comfort. Acceptable relative humidity levels should range from 20 percent – 60 percent year-round. Levels less than 20 percent in the winter and greater than 60 percent in the summer should be considered unacceptable. Elevated relative humidity can promote the growth of mold, bacteria, and dust mites, which can aggravate allergies and asthma. To achieve maximum occupant comfort, relative humidity should be maintained between 30 percent – 50 percent.
IDPH concurs with the ASHRAE guideline that indoor temperatures in the winter be maintained between 68 – 75 degrees, with a relative humidity level between 30 percent – 60 percent. Temperatures in the summer should be maintained between 73 – 79 degrees, with a relative humidity level between 30 percent – 60 percent. These ranges should be acceptable for sedentary or slightly active persons. ( source )
Carbon Dioxide:
Some of you probably think we meant to say ‘carbon MONoxide‘, but no, we said what we meant: Carbon Dioxide.
Carbon dioxide is a normal constituent of exhaled breath and is commonly measured as a screening tool to evaluate whether adequate volumes of fresh outdoor air are being introduced into indoor air. The outdoor level of carbon dioxide is usually 300 – 400 parts per million (ppm). The carbon dioxide level is usually greater inside a building than outside, even in buildings with few complaints about indoor air quality. If indoor carbon dioxide levels are more than 1,000 ppm, there is probably inadequate ventilation; and complaints such as headaches, fatigue, and eye and throat irritation may be prevalent.
Carbon dioxide itself is not responsible for the complaints; however, a high level of carbon dioxide may indicate that other contaminants in the building also may be present at elevated levels and could be responsible for occupant complaints.
Properly ventilated buildings should have carbon dioxide levels between 600 – 1,000 ppm, with a floor or building average of 800 ppm or less. If average carbon dioxide levels within a building are maintained at less than 800 ppm, with appropriate temperature and humidity levels, complaints about indoor air quality should be minimized. If carbon dioxide levels are greater than 1,000 ppm, complaints may occur. Therefore, 1,000 ppm should be used as a guideline for improving ventilation. If a building exceeds this guideline, it should NOT be interpreted as a hazardous or life-threatening situation. An elevated carbon dioxide level is only an indication of an inadequate amount of outside air being brought into a building. The level cited in this document should only be used as a guideline to determine the amount of fresh outside air entering a building.
In building areas where there are potential sources of carbon dioxide other than exhaled breath, the guidelines above cannot be used. Other sources can include exhaust gas from kilns, internal combustion engines, dry ice, etc. Under these conditions, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standard for carbon dioxide should be used. The OSHA standard is an eight-hour time-weighted average (TWA) of 5,000 ppm with a short term 15-minute average limit of 30,000 ppm. ( source )
So as you can see, indoor air quality does matter and building managers, property owners, or perhaps even just a responsible department manager may want to check those parameters from time-to-time to make sure they have not drifted out of line.
OK, fine… Aside from avoiding potential problems w/ complaints from people in the building, uncomfortable or sickly employees typically get a lot less work done and make a lot more mistakes.
| Air Quality Meter: Digital CO2, RH, Temperature (CDM77535) with Case | CDM77535 |  |
$399.99 |
| Air Quality Monitor: Measures CO2 & Temperature (CDM1060) | CDM1060 |  |
$269.00 |
| Air Quality Monitor: Measures CO2, Temperature & Humidity (CDM77232) | CDM77232 |  |
$399.00 |
| Alarm: Radon Gas Detector & Monitor (HS71512) EPA Approved Pro Series 3 | HS71512 |  |
$129.95 |
Although we had not previously mentioned it, we felt the need to throw a radon gas detector into the above table. If you don’t already know why owning a radon gas detector makes sense, please check out the following links:
Now that you have gone and done something very wise, like installing carbon monoxide detectors in your home, you may find yourself asking, “Hmmm… How do I TEST a carbon monoxide detector?”
So glad you asked!
Now you COULD get up on a ladder and exhale cigarette smoke into the thing to see if it goes off, but we really think that sounds like a BAD IDEA. So does running a hose from the tailpipe of an automobile into the house and closing all the doors and windows… and waiting to see if the alarm goes off before you pass out.
Instead, you can do the smart thing and pick up CO Check: CO Alarm Test Gas in Aerosol Can. Much, much safer than the aforementioned methods and does not require the use of cigarettes or gasoline engines!
Simply aim the nozzle in the direction of the detector, press the aerosol dispenser, and let the CO get at your detector. See instructions on can for specific testing procedures, though, before you begin your testing.
