What is a UV Lamp, What Does It Do?

WHAT IS A UV LAMP?

Ultraviolet sterilization and disinfection lamp is a device with a low-pressure mercury lamp that can emit ultraviolet rays. Low-pressure mercury lamps are excited by low mercury vapor pressure (<10-2Pa) to emit ultraviolet rays. The wavelength ranges from 10 ~ 400nm. The peak wavelength of the lamp is 253.7nm, and its power ranges from 4W to 100W. In addition, with today's LED technology, LEDs can also be produced for UV lamps. It is mainly used for disinfection, sterilization, and air purification. It is also used in the printing and dyeing industry to dry UV-based ink after printing.

How Does UV Light Work?

UV rays cause photolysis and denaturation of bacterial proteins, disrupting their cellular activities and rendering them inactive.

At the same time, when ultraviolet rays (of a certain wavelength) pass through the air, the oxygen in the air is ionized to produce ozone, which increases the sterilization effect.

Ionization: When ultraviolet rays are emitted, irregular ions are formed around the rays, allowing oxygen molecules in the air to be ionized and reassembled with ozone.

Can Ozone Be Produced by UV?

There are two main spectral lines: one with a wavelength of 253.7nm (254nm) and the other with a wavelength of 185nm, both of which are invisible to the naked eye. Among them, 253.7nm is ozone-free ultraviolet rays, and 254nm ultraviolet rays kill bacteria by destroying the DNA of microorganisms; 185nm is the ozone band of ultraviolet rays, and the 185nm wavelength can ionize the air to produce ozone (185nm ultraviolet can convert O2 in the air to O3).

Ozone + 185nm short-wave ultraviolet rays not only destroy DNA by irradiating bacteria but also ionize oxygen in the air to produce ozone, killing bacteria. So, it has a dual sterilization effect.

FEATURE OZONE-FREE OZONE-GENERATING
Disinfection Principle Wavelength 254nm Wavelength 185nm + Ozone
Disinfection Feature Disinfects the area it irradiates Reaches hidden spots. Has penetrating power
Environment of Use Places with no clutter or walls Places with high clutter and hidden spots
Functional Features Disinfection, sterilization, mite removal, no residue or traces Disinfection, sterilization, mite and formaldehyde removal, strong ozone smell 

185nm Ozone-Type Wavelength:

Advantages: Ozone has a strong oxidizing effect that can effectively kill bacteria and eliminate mites. Due to ozone's dispersibility, it can also reach areas that ultraviolet rays, which travel in straight lines, cannot reach, covering hidden areas.

Disadvantages: Excessive ozone is an invisible killer! It strongly stimulates the respiratory tract, causing throat irritation, chest tightness, coughing, bronchitis, and emphysema. After disinfection, you need to open the windows for ventilation.

It requires long ventilation time.

254nm Ozone-Free Type:

Advantages: Disinfection, mite removal features, and you can enter the room immediately after sterilization. The ventilation time is short.

Disadvantages: It only spreads in a linear fashion and has a linear effect. Hidden spots may form, leading to incomplete disinfection.

Ozone itself has an odor. After using the ultraviolet + ozone disinfection lamp, there will be a smell in the air. Therefore, for certain situations, it may not be suitable for use, such as restaurants, hotels, clubs, etc.

A high ozone concentration environment can have adverse effects on the human body. Since ozone increases hemoglobin coagulation in the human body, it can lead to insufficient oxygen, dizziness, and nausea, affecting health. Particularly, when ozone concentration > 0.3ppm (mg/m2), it causes serious damage. Therefore, ozone lamps are generally not allowed in places with frequent personnel activity.

Ozone has an unstable structure and decomposes easily. The higher the temperature, the faster the decomposition. Ozone in the air is usually reduced to oxygen within 30 minutes at room temperature. After sterilization, it is recommended to immediately ventilate the area to exhaust the ozone before it decomposes.

What Should Be the Usage Duration for UV Lamps?

  • When used for air disinfection, the effective distance does not exceed 2m, and the exposure time is 30 ~ 60 minutes,
  • When used for object disinfection, the effective distance is 25 ~ 60cm, the exposure time is 20-30 minutes, and the timer starts from 5-7 minutes (the lamp needs a certain time to warm up to ionize the oxygen in the air to produce ozone).
  • Use 1-2 times a week.

What is the Lifespan of a UV Lamp?

The average lifespan of UV lamps is 8000 hours, and they can be used for up to 2 years. Additionally, the usage time should be meticulously tracked to monitor the disinfection function of the lamp.

What Should Be Considered During UV Lamp Use?

The application should be done in an environment without humans or other living creatures, including pets.

  • Do not look directly at the lamp for an extended period of time with bare eyes.
  • Ultraviolet rays have a degrading effect on organic materials, and long-term exposure can cause the color of the object's surface to fade. When using a UV lamp, please store valuable leather clothes, calligraphy and paintings, sweaters, etc. Prevent direct ultraviolet radiation.
  • After sterilization, the ozone ultraviolet lamp may cause the air to smell different. Don't worry. Simply open the window and ventilate for 30 minutes.

 

 

MINIMUM ILLUMINATION LEVELS TABLE

 

CHEMICAL INDUSTRY, PLASTICS AND RUBBER LUX     SERVICE INDUSTRIES LUX
Remote Controlled Factories 50     Hotels and Food Services 200
Processes Requiring Human Support 100     Receptions 500
Factories with Continuous Human Workstations 200     Restaurants 200
Control and Monitoring Points 300     Buffets 300
Laboratories, Packaging Areas 300     Conference Rooms 300
Jobs Requiring Visual Concentration 500     Self-Service Facilities 300
Color Controls 1000     Cafeterias 200
        Rest Rooms 100
CEMENT INDUSTRY, CERAMICS AND GLASS LUX     Recreation Rooms 300
Ovens, Mixers, and Brick Processing Workstations 200     Showers, Toilets, and Changing Rooms 100
Grinding, Polishing, Complex Parts Molding 300     First Aid and Medical Rooms 500
Enamel Coating, Rolling, Pressing, Casting 500        
Lens Cutting, Glass Cutting, Medium Precision Tasks 750     WAREHOUSES AND STORAGE LUX
Very Fine Tasks 1000     Ovens, Mixers, and Brick Processing Workstations 200
        Grinding, Polishing, Complex Parts Molding 300
STEEL PRODUCTION, ROLLING MILLS, FURNACES LUX     Enamel Coating, Rolling, Pressing, Casting 500
Automatic Production Process 50     Lens Cutting, Glass Cutting, Medium Precision Tasks 750
Production Processes Requiring Human Support 100     Very Fine Tasks 1000
Workstations with Continuous Human Work 200        
Rest Points and Control 400     INDOOR WALKING AREAS LUX
        For Personnel 50

METAL WORKS LUX     For Personnel and Tools 100 Forging Small Parts by Pulling 200     Stairs, Ramps, Moving Staircases 100 Welding, Rough and Medium Precision Turning Works 300     Loading Ramps, Automatic Conveyors 100 Fine Turning Works, Maximum Tolerance <= 0.1 mm. 500     Conveyors in Traffic Areas 100 Marking and Control 750         Cold Rolling 200     FOOD AND TOBACCO INDUSTRIES LUX Wire and Pipe Drawing Factory, Cold Strip Profile 300     Cutting and Sorting of Fruits and Vegetables 300 Thick Sheet Processing (>5mm.) 200     Production of Delicatessen, Kitchens, Cigar and Cigarette Manufacturing 500 Thin Sheet Processing (<5mm.) 300     Control of Jars and Bottles, Quality Control, Sorting 500 Tool Manufacturing 500     Color Controls, Laboratories 1000 Rough Assembly, Hot Forging 200     Washing, Rinsing, Cleaning in Breweries 200 Medium Assembly 300         Fine Assembly 500     MISCELLANEOUS WORK GROUPS LUX         Locksmithing and Installation 300 RESIDENTIALS, HOTELS, RESTAURANTS LUX     Carpentry Workshops 300 Bedrooms 50     Machine Repair Shops 500 Headboards 200     Radio-TV Repair Shops 500 Bathrooms (General) 100     Cosmetic Shops 750 Bathrooms (Mirror Side) 500     Hairdressers 750 Kitchens (General) 300        

Kitchens (Countertop) 500     OFFICES, WORKPLACES, AND SHOPPING CENTERS LUX
Living Rooms (General) 100     General Office Areas 50
Living Rooms (Local) 500     Design Offices 1000
Stairs 100     Waiting Rooms 200
Cafeterias 200     Data Processing Centers 300
Storage 50     Stores (General) 300
Changing Rooms, Restrooms 100     Supermarkets 750
Gym Rooms, Locker, Laundry 100     Stores and Showrooms 500
        Printer Rooms 300
CULTURE, ART, EDUCATION LUX     General Office Areas 50
Concert Hall, Cinema, Theater Hall (General) 100     Design Areas 750
Concert Hall, Cinema, Theater Hall (Foyer) 200     CAD Stations 300/500
Display of Light-Sensitive Objects 150     Computer and Data Preparation 500
Display of Light-Insensitive Objects 300        
Classrooms 500     WOODWORKING LUX
Conference Rooms 300     Coating, Polishing, Pattern Processing, Cutting 500
Laboratories, Libraries 500     Quality Control 750
           
HOSPITALS LUX     TEXTILE INDUSTRY LUX
Night 50     Workstations, Bathrooms, and Bales Opening Areas 200
Day 200     Washing, Ironing, Sewing, Drawing, Measuring, Dyeing 300
Examination Rooms 500     Drawn Work, Dressing, Spinning, Wrapping, Weaving 500
Staff Rooms 100     Fine Screening, Repair, Sewing, Printed Fabrication, Hat Production 750
Laboratories 500     Residue Cleaning, Quality Control, Color Control 1000
        Repairing Inconspicuously 1500
PAPER MANUFACTURING AND PROCESSING, GRAPHIC WORKS LUX        
Pulp Sections Workstations 200     STORES LUX
Cardboard Machines, Binding Works, Wallpaper Printing 300     Displays 1000
Cutting, Printing, Paper Separation 500     Store Interior 500
Manual Paper Separation 750     Factory Stores 200/100
Retouching, Lithography, Manual and Machine Typesetting, Coating 1000        
Color Control for Multicolor Printing 1500        
Steel and Copper Engraving 2000