Penetrometer PCE-PTR 200

Penetrometer to determine firmness in fruits and control their ripeness, with RS-232 connection port and optional software for data transmission. Range up to 20 kg

The PCE-PTR 200 penetrometer will be very useful for monitoring the ripening of many types of fruit. This digital penetrometer will offer you greater precision and resolution in your measurements, unlike an analog type. With the PCE-PTR 200 penetrometer, you will obtain very valuable information, not only about the optimal harvest time but also about the evolution of the fruit during subsequent phases of storage, transport, and sale. The PCE-PTR 200 penetrometer is microprocessor-controlled with fast and accurate readings and is equipped with a mounting device for a force testing station (as an accessory). It is powered by batteries or by a mains adapter (300 mA power supply available additionally). The penetrometer's display can be rotated 180° if necessary for greater convenience when taking measurements. To transmit measurement data from the penetrometer to a PC or laptop, optional software can be used along with the data cable. The smallest data transmission interval to the software is 2 seconds. The testing station is ideal for measurement in quality control and laboratory experiments.

- Maximum value hold function.

- Possibility of zeroing via the keyboard whenever necessary

- Maintenance of Peak value and recovery of maximum measurement value.

- Automatic disconnection

- Blind holes on the back side for mounting the penetrometer to a measuring station (see the sketch at the bottom of the page).

- Battery status indicator

- Overload protection = 150%

When talking about fruit ripening, it is convenient to distinguish between physiological ripening and commercial ripening. Physiological ripening can only be achieved when the fruit is still on the plant and corresponds to the earliest moment when the fruit can be harvested for commercialization. Commercial ripeness is reached later and indicates the optimal time for fruit consumption (when its color, flavor, texture, etc., are ideal for the end consumer). In the case of climacteric fruits, commercial ripeness can be reached some time after harvesting. During fruit ripening, there is intense activity inside, resulting in a series of important changes (in color, shape, texture, etc.). It is necessary to have objective values to evaluate the evolution of fruit ripening and thus make appropriate decisions, both about the optimal time for harvesting and about subsequent processes (for example, to determine the quality of the fruit and therefore its economic value at the time of sale to an intermediary or the end consumer), especially in the case of climacteric fruits. The firmness or hardness of the fruit, measured with a penetrometer, is one of the objective parameters that provides the most information about the state of ripening, and therefore it is one of the most used techniques for its control. Other techniques used are colorimetry or the soluble solids content with the refractometer (this technique provides a measure of total sugars and therefore how sweet the fruit is). Generally, the firmness or hardness of a fruit measured with a penetrometer decreases as its ripening process advances. However, it should be noted that the firmness of the same type of fruit can vary, either due to very general conditions (such as variety or growing region), or for more specific reasons such as the size or temperature of the fruit at the time of measurement with the penetrometer (the larger the size or temperature, the lower the firmness the fruit will present).

Technical specifications

Penetrometer model

PCE-PTR 200

Maximum measurement load

20 kg / 196 N

Resolution

10 g / 0,05 N

Accuracy

± 0,5 %, + 2 dgt.

Measurement units

gramo / Newton

Maximum overload

30 kg

Connection port

RS-232

Software and data cable

opcional

Indicador

5-position LCD display; 10 mm

Measurement functions

Measurement of firmness in fruits with Peak-Hold function

Power supply

6 Mignon AA 1.5 V AA or power adapter

Dimensions

227 x 83 x 39 mm

Peso

550 g

Contents of the shipment

1 x Penetrometer PCE-PTR 200

1 x 6 mm Ø penetration probe

1 x 8 mm Ø penetration probe

1 x 11 mm Ø penetration probe

2 x Stop washers 

1 x Conversion table

1 x Case for the penetrometer

1 x Penetrometer operating instructions