UVC Radiation Proven Effective in Sterilization Systems

UVC Radiation is proven to provide effective sterilization and purification in water, surface and air treatment systems, rendering harmful bacteria, viruses and microorganisms ineffective.  Light is measured in nanometers (nm) determined by specific wavelengths and broken into colors. Ultraviolet (UV) light has shorter wavelengths than visible light and is measured in the range of 10 nm to 400 nm, with UVC lamps most effective in the range of 100 nm to 280 nm.

LightSources employs skilled UV light design engineers with vast experience and in-depth knowledge of UV technology and UVC germicidal lamps. UVC light in the range of 185 nm produces ozone which is necessary to eradicate volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to eliminate odor from the air, while UVC exposure at 254 nm is the most effective to kill harmful microorganisms including those that are resistant to chemical treatment.  

UVC Radiation Destroys Bacteria

UVC radiation lamps for germicidal applications are lamps that emit UV energy between 100 nm and 280 nm, such as the Low-Pressure Mercury Lamp which transmits energy at an effective 254 nm.  UVC ozone producing germicidal lamps produce UV radiation under 220 nm which decomposes oxygen, O², producing ozone, O³. The target for any style of UVC germicidal lamp is the nucleic acid, or DNA, of the microorganism’s cell.  

As the UV radiation is absorbed by the cell of the bacteria or virus it alters the DNA of the cell and renders it useless.  When the nucleic acid of these bacteria and viruses are destroyed, the harmful microorganism cannot reproduce to infectious levels and is therefore considered non-viable.

UVC Radiation Lamps for Air Purification Systems

UVC radiation germicidal lamps include Low-Pressure and Medium-Pressure Mercury Discharge lamps.  Low-Pressure Mercury Discharge lamps resemble a typical fluorescent lamp although are made of quartz or soda-lime glass to allow the effective range of either 185 nm or 254 nm produced by the mercury arc to pass unmodified through the lamp.  Medium-Pressure Mercury Discharge lamps more closely resemble a high intensity discharge (HID) lamp which radiates broad band UVC rather than in a single line.

Standard quartz UVC germicidal lamps by LightSources convert up to 40% of electrical power to powerful UV radiation, in some of the most common and established designs.  With quick warm up time of 30-60 seconds, these lamps emit UVC output as related to the ambient temperature which is limited to 40° C as anything over that will cause the lamp to overheat, declining the UVC germicidal effectiveness.

Our high-output quartz germicidal lamps are configured for T5 or T6 with a 15mm or 19mm OD, producing approximately 2 times the UVC radiation of the standard germicidal lamps, although experience the same limitations on ambient temperature.   

Low pressure amalgam lamps provide 3 to 4 times more power density and are designed to withstand fluctuations in ambient temperatures with greater stability in operation over standard and high-output lamps.  Amalgam technology is the preferred type of germicidal lamp in long-term applications and operates effectively in universal orientation applications.


LAMP PRODUCT DATA:
UV Germicidal Lamps
LAMP APPLICATIONS:
UV Germicidal Applications

The LightSources Group is a leading global supplier of UVC germicidal lamps used in air sterilization and purification systems worldwide.  We incorporate advanced technologies to deliver first to market solutions with superior UV lamps and lighting solutions. Contact us today to speak with an engineer for help in determining the best lamp for your process utilizing UVC radiation.