The Application Differences between Colorimeter and Spectrophotometer

At present, there are many kinds, brands and merchants of color measuring instruments. Some customers do not know much about color measurement. In the face of various instruments, there will be a big price gap and different measurement results? Why are some called colorimeters, and some called spectrophotometer? What are the differences between these instruments and what are their respective applications?

1. What is called “colorimeter” and what is called “spectrophotometer”
As the name implies, “colorimeter” is used to measure the color difference between two samples. The accuracy is relatively low. Generally, the absolute value (L, a, b values) of the color coordinate space cannot be given accurately, but the color difference between two samples (usually between the standard and the sample) can be given（ Δ E) This colorimeter has no absolute value data of color, and has no way to exchange data with others, nor can it establish and manage its own color standard database.

The spectrophotometer has high accuracy and uses the setting of the pre positioning plate, which eliminates the need to use the standard blackboard and whiteboard in the calibration process of the traditional colorimeter and colorimeter. The built-in software is powerful, including all necessary color equations, standard light sources suitable for different tasks, and a large number of indicators for specific industries and applications.

2. Design principle
The spectrophotometer is designed according to the principle of spectrophotometer, and the common colorimeter is designed according to the principle of tristimulus value. Color separation and color measurement instrument has high accuracy and increasing versatility. The spectrophotometer can simultaneously measure SCI (a measurement method including specular reflection. For this reason, it reduces the influence of sample surface, and is particularly suitable for color quality monitoring and computer color matching) and SCE (a measurement method excluding specular reflection. The results of this type of measurement are similar to those of naked eye observation). Because it can measure the reflectivity at each wavelength, it is suitable for complex color analysis, of course, it is relatively expensive. The tristimulus value colorimeter has the characteristics of relatively low price, compact shape, outstanding flexibility and simple operation.

3. Measuring principle
The color difference meter can automatically compare the color difference between the sample plate and the tested object, and output CIE L, a, b three groups of data and △ E, △ L, △ a, △ b four groups of color difference data after color comparison. Different from the method of color measurement with a simple colorimeter, the spectrophotometer can measure the “reflectivity curve” of each color point (10nm or 20nm wavelength interval), while the colorimeter cannot. The spectrophotometer can simulate multiple light sources, while the colorimeter generally has only one or two analog light sources.

4. Light source
In the color measuring instrument, the stability, light source orientation, life and the effectiveness of the obtained spectral curve should be considered first when selecting the light source. At present, LED lamp and xenon lamp are mostly used as light sources.

Xenon lamp is mainly used for ultraviolet light source measurement, which can emit short high intensity arc light, but it is difficult to produce repeated arc light of equal intensity. Moreover, the xenon lamp light source requires a relatively complex high-voltage oscillation excitation circuit, and the maintenance is also very complex. When replacing, in addition to replacing the bulb, the whole set of capacitors must be replaced, so the price is expensive. On the current standard color measuring instruments, the use of LED lamps is technically and economically appropriate. In particular, portable instruments need to be lightweight, power saving, easy to maintain and operate.

In general, the color difference meter is mainly used to measure the color difference between samples. The spectrophotometer mainly contains all necessary color equations, standard light sources suitable for different tasks, and a large number of indicators for specific industries and applications, especially suitable for color quality monitoring and computer color matching. It is sufficient to realize color measurement in quality control of almost all application fields.

LISUN lauched Portable Colorimeter/Chroma Meter is an innovation color measuring tool with powerful configuration to make color measurement easier and more professional; It support Bluetooth to connect with Android and ISO devices, Portable Colorimeter/Chroma Meter will take you into a new world of color management; It can be widely used to measure color value, color difference value and find similar color from color cards for printing industry, paint industry, textile industry, etc.

Portable Spectrophotometer HSCD-800 is dual optical path design improves repeatability accuracy dE*ab≤0.04. The dual optical path design monitors the fluctuation of light source energy while measuring the sample signal, reduces interference during measurement, obtains higher measurement stability, and improves the measurement repeatability index of the instrument to dE*ab≤0.04. It guarantees the high standard of measurement speed, accuracy, stability and inter-station difference consistency of the instrument.

Lisun Instruments Limited was found by LISUN GROUP in 2003. LISUN quality system has been strictly certified by ISO9001:2015. As a CIE Membership, LISUN products are designed based on CIE, IEC and other international or national standards. All products passed CE certificate and authenticated by the third party lab.

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Tags：CD-320PRO , HSCD-860