Optical rotation measurement is a fundamental technique for determining the concentration, purity, and identity of chiral substances in pharmaceutical, food, and chemical laboratories. The A.KRÜSS Optronic P3000 polarimeter is a benchtop instrument built for standard measurements where a measurement accuracy of ±0.01° is sufficient. The following specifications are based on factory testing under standard conditions.

Technical Specifications

• Model number: P3000 (Order number: 9801190)

• Scales: Optical rotation (°) and International Sugar Scale (°Z)

• Measurement range: ±90° (optical rotation) and ±259 °Z (sugar scale)

• Measurement accuracy: ±0.01° and ±0.01 °Z

• Measurement period: 1‑2 seconds (after temperature equalisation and at OD < 1)

• Resolution: 0.01° and 0.01 °Z

• Wavelength: 589 nm (sodium D‑line, LED light source)

• Maximum tube length: 220 mm

• Sample permeability: > 0.1% (OD 3.0)

• Temperature compensation: ICUMSA pre‑installed, reliable conversion to 20°C

• Temperature measurement accuracy: ±0.1°C

• Temperature measurement resolution: 0.1°C

• Temperature control: Retrofittable (requires circulation thermostat PT31/PT80, sample chamber bushing P8020 and temperature‑controlled measurement tube)

• Methods and users: Not available

• Adjustment: Automatic, menu‑driven

• Parts in contact with sample: Borosilicate glass, PTFE, stainless steel (1.4305)

• Operation: 3.5″ capacitive touchscreen, 320 × 240 pixels, keypad

• Interfaces: 1x RS‑232

• Dimensions (W × H × D): 645 mm × 200 mm × 360 mm

• Weight: 28 kg

• Operating voltage: 110‑250 VAC

• Rated frequency: 50/60 Hz

• Power consumption (measurement mode): 30 W

• Power consumption (maximum): 40 W

• Compliance: Pharmacopoeias [USP, BP, JP, Ph. Eur. (with temperature control)], GLP, ASTM, ICUMSA, NIST

• Measurement principle: Polarimetry (rotation of plane‑polarised light)

• Light source: LED, 589 nm

• Measurement modes: Optical rotation (°), International Sugar Scale (°Z)

Standard Accessories Included:

• P3000 polarimeter main unit with integrated LED light source (589 nm)

• 3.5″ capacitive touchscreen with keypad

• RS‑232 interface cable

• Power cord (110‑250 VAC, 50/60 Hz)

• Factory calibration certificate

• Quick start guide and user manual

• Glass measurement tubes (100 mm and 200 mm lengths with filling funnels) – typically included; confirm with supplier

• Glass cover plates and rubber rings for tube sealing

Items Excluded:

• Temperature‑controlled measurement tubes (available as optional accessory)

• Circulation thermostat (PT31/PT80) for temperature control (required for pharmacopoeia compliance with temperature control)

• Sample chamber bushing P8020 (required for temperature control retrofitting)

• Printer (CBM910 matrix printer available as optional accessory)

• Calibration standards (quartz control plates available as optional accessories)

• Stainless steel temperature sensor (available as optional accessory)

Pre‑installation Requirements:

• Stable, level benchtop capable of supporting 28 kg

• Ambient temperature between 15‑35°C (avoid direct sunlight and drafts)

• AC power outlet (110‑250 VAC, 50/60 Hz)

• Adequate clearance for ventilation and cable connections

• For temperature‑controlled measurements: circulation thermostat and compatible measurement tubes

Key benefits for quality assurance laboratories

The specifications above translate into measurable improvements for routine polarimetric analysis. Each point below connects a feature to a practical outcome.

Economical solution for standard measurements – The P3000 polarimeter delivers reliable performance at an accessible price point. A small pharmaceutical laboratory performing routine concentration checks acquires a high‑quality instrument without overinvesting. A food testing facility monitoring sugar content in syrups and juices obtains accurate results within budget constraints.

Fast measurement in 1‑2 seconds – The patented fast measurement technique completes each reading in one to two seconds. A quality control technician processing dozens of samples per shift finishes the workload in minutes instead of hours. Production line decisions are made without delay.

Accurate ±0.01° precision for confident decisions – The measurement accuracy of ±0.01° meets the requirements of most standard pharmacopoeia and food industry applications. A pharmaceutical QC laboratory determining the optical rotation of active ingredients makes batch‑release decisions with confidence. A sugar refinery verifying product purity meets contractual specifications without re‑testing.

Reliable temperature compensation (ICUMSA pre‑installed) – The built‑in temperature compensation converts measured values to the standard reference temperature of 20°C. A quality control technician measuring samples at ambient laboratory temperature obtains results that are directly comparable to pharmacopoeia specifications. No manual temperature correction tables, no calculation errors.

Intuitive 3.5″ touchscreen operation – The capacitive touchscreen with menu‑guided adjustment simplifies operation. A new operator becomes productive after a short demonstration. The automatic adjustment routine eliminates guesswork. Training time is reduced, and operator errors are minimised.

Compliance with international standards – The instrument conforms to USP, BP, JP, Ph. Eur. (with temperature control), GLP, ASTM, ICUMSA, and NIST requirements. A pharmaceutical laboratory preparing for regulatory inspection provides documented evidence of compliance. A food testing facility meets international trade requirements for sugar analysis.

Common frustrations with polarimetric analysis – and how this instrument solves them

Pain point: Slow measurement times create bottlenecks in high‑throughput QC.
Waiting 30 seconds or more per sample delays production decisions and ties up laboratory resources. The A.KRÜSS Optronic P3000 automatic polarimeter (an economical benchtop instrument with a measurement period of 1‑2 seconds) completes each reading rapidly. A quality control laboratory processing 50 samples per shift finishes in under two minutes. Production lines receive results without delay, and batch release decisions are made promptly.

Pain point: Inconsistent results from manual polarimeters.
Reading a manual polarimeter with a nonius scale is subjective and operator‑dependent. The same A.KRÜSS Optronic P3000 automatic polarimeter (a fully automated instrument with a 3.5″ touchscreen and menu‑driven adjustment) eliminates operator subjectivity. The instrument performs the measurement automatically and displays the result digitally. Different operators obtain the same result from the same sample. Reproducibility improves across shifts.

Pain point: Temperature fluctuations affect measurement accuracy.
Optical rotation is temperature‑sensitive. Measuring at ambient temperature without correction introduces errors. The A.KRÜSS Optronic P3000 polarimeter (an instrument with ICUMSA pre‑installed temperature compensation) converts measured values to the standard reference temperature of 20°C. A quality control technician measures samples at room temperature and obtains results that are directly comparable to pharmacopoeia specifications. No manual correction, no calculation errors.

Pain point: Limited versatility for different sample types.
Some polarimeters cannot handle dark or turbid samples. The A.KRÜSS Optronic P3000 polarimeter (a versatile instrument with sample permeability >0.1% and OD 3.0 capability) measures samples with high optical density. A food laboratory analysing dark syrups and molasses obtains reliable readings. A pharmaceutical laboratory measuring coloured solutions completes the analysis without dilution. Sample preparation is simplified.

Pain point: No compliance with pharmacopoeia requirements.
Regulated laboratories need instruments that meet USP, BP, JP, and Ph. Eur. standards. The A.KRÜSS Optronic P3000 polarimeter (a compliance‑ready instrument conforming to USP, BP, JP, Ph. Eur., GLP, ASTM, ICUMSA, and NIST) meets international regulatory requirements. A pharmaceutical QC laboratory preparing for inspection provides documented evidence of compliance. A contract testing laboratory serving multiple industries uses a single instrument for diverse applications.

Which laboratories choose the P3000 polarimeter

Pharmaceutical quality control – Determine optical rotation of active pharmaceutical ingredients, excipients, and finished dosage forms. The ±0.01° accuracy meets pharmacopoeia requirements for standard assays. The RS‑232 interface supports data export for regulatory documentation.

Food and beverage testing – Measure sugar content in syrups, juices, honey, and confectionery products using the International Sugar Scale (°Z). The ICUMSA pre‑installed temperature compensation ensures accurate results at any ambient temperature. The fast measurement time supports high‑throughput production QC.

Chemical and industrial laboratories – Analyse chiral compounds, polymers, and intermediates. The ±90° measurement range covers most optically active substances. The 589 nm wavelength (sodium D‑line) is the industry standard for polarimetric measurements.

Academic and research laboratories – Teach polarimetry principles to undergraduate and graduate students. The intuitive touchscreen and automatic adjustment reduce student errors. The instrument supports method development for novel chiral compounds.

Contract testing and analytical service laboratories – Provide polarimetric analysis services to multiple clients across pharmaceutical, food, and chemical industries. The instrument‘s compliance with international standards supports defensible results. The RS‑232 interface enables integration with laboratory information management systems.

Physical configuration and daily operation

Installation – Place the polarimeter on a stable, level benchtop capable of supporting 28 kg. The 645 × 360 × 200 mm footprint requires a clear workspace. Connect to 110‑250 VAC, 50/60 Hz power. Allow adequate clearance for ventilation and cable connections.

Sample preparation – Fill the glass measurement tube (100 mm or 200 mm length) with the sample solution. Ensure no air bubbles are present. Place the tube in the sample chamber. For temperature‑controlled measurements, connect the circulation thermostat and temperature‑controlled measurement tube.

Measurement – Turn on the instrument. The 3.5″ capacitive touchscreen displays the main menu. Select the measurement scale (optical rotation or International Sugar Scale). The instrument performs the measurement automatically. The result appears on the screen in 1‑2 seconds.

Temperature compensation – The instrument measures the sample temperature using the optional stainless steel temperature sensor. The ICUMSA pre‑installed temperature compensation converts the measured value to the reference temperature of 20°C. The compensated result is displayed.

Data export – Connect a printer or computer to the RS‑232 interface. Print results on a serial ASCII printer. Export data to a laboratory information management system for documentation and regulatory compliance.

Maintenance – Clean the measurement tubes and sample chamber after each use. The parts in contact with the sample are borosilicate glass, PTFE, and stainless steel (1.4305), which resist corrosion and are easy to clean. Periodically verify instrument performance using quartz control plates (available as optional accessories). The instrument requires minimal routine maintenance.

Ordering information

The P3000 polarimeter is available as a complete package including:

• P3000 polarimeter main unit with integrated LED light source (589 nm)

• 3.5″ capacitive touchscreen with keypad

• RS‑232 interface cable

• Power cord (110‑250 VAC, 50/60 Hz)

• Factory calibration certificate

• Quick start guide and user manual

• Glass measurement tubes (100 mm and 200 mm lengths with filling funnels) – typically included; confirm with supplier

• Glass cover plates and rubber rings for tube sealing

The customer should specify the following when ordering:

1. Model: P3000 polarimeter

2. Voltage requirement (110‑250 VAC, 50/60 Hz – universal)

3. Any optional accessories required

Optional accessories available (contact supplier for pricing):

• Temperature‑controlled measurement tubes (for pharmacopoeia compliance with temperature control)

• Circulation thermostat PT31/PT80

• Sample chamber bushing P8020

• Stainless steel temperature sensor (with or without PTFE coating)

• Printer CBM910 with interface cable and paper rolls

• Quartz control plates for calibration verification (Premium and Economy grades)

• Additional glass measurement tubes (100 mm, 200 mm)

• Glass cover plates and rubber rings