Common Questions (FAQ)

Does the age of my UV bulb affect its effectiveness?

Yes! Your germicidal ultraviolet bulb's effectiveness will decrease with age and hours used.

How often should I replace my UV bulb?

At least once a year or to ensure maximum effectiveness every six months. Purely UV™ lamps are guaranteed for 9,000 hours under normal operation. However, your lamps effectiveness will be influenced by the machine it is operating in and the environment surrounding the lamp's use. Due to a frequent switching ON/OFF of the germicidal UV lamps, the service life of UV lamps is greatly diminished. This is caused by a surge of an electrical current that wears out the elements in the UV lamp(s). Always follow your UV device manufacturer's safety and handling instructions. When new lamps are installed they should be clean.

My UV bulb doesn't seem to be putting out maximum or even light?

Special care should be taken not to touch the glass part of the lamps with your fingers as this can deposit oils on the glass, which can create a dead space on the lamp's surface and also shorten the life of the germicidal UV lamp.

Why is UV-B harmful while UV-C (germicidal UV) is not?

The difference has to do with the ability of UV rays to penetrate body surfaces. UVC has an extremely low penetrating ability. It is nearly completely absorbed by the outer dead layer of the skin where it does little harm. It does reach the most superficial layer of the eye where overexposure can cause irritation, but it does not penetrate to the top of the lens of the eye and can not cause cataracts. UVC is completely stopped by the ordinary eye glasses and by ordinary clothing.

What are the beneficial uses of Germicidal UV?

Ultraviolet technology is a non-chemical approach to disinfection. In this method of disinfection, nothing is added which makes this process simple, inexpensive and requires very low maintenance. Ultraviolet purifiers utilize germicidal lamps that are designed and calculated to produce a certain dosage of ultraviolet (usually at least 16,000 microwatt seconds per square centimeter but many units actually have a much higher dosage.) The principle of design is based on a product of time and intensity - you must have a certain amount of both for a successful design.

Does UV really work?

UV has been proven under numerous studies for its ability to destroy the DNA of germs, viruses, mold, spores, fungi, and bacteria. UV works on different levels depending on what one wants to accomplish. Westinghouse Electric, General Electric, Penn State University and Harvard School of Public Health conducted laboratory tests on the effectiveness of UV light on microorganisms. UV light has been used in wastewater plants and commercial settings for over 60 years.

Warning: UV radiation is harmful to skin and eyes.