Philips UV-C disinfection luminaires must only be sold by Signify or through qualified partners, and installed by qualified professionals according to our stringent safety and legal requirements. The UV-C disinfection luminaires we provide without such safeguards are intended only to be used as components in disinfection systems that contain any safeguards indicated, but not limited to, those specified in mounting instructions and user manuals. The lighting must always be installed with adequate shields and safeguards (such as presence detection sensors or timers) to avoid light damage and severe injuries to the eyes and skin. UV-C lighting presents minimum risk when used in the correct way. This includes upper air systems that disinfect passing air, open UV-C systems and UV-C trolleys that disinfect rooms and locations overnight (or while not in use), and UV-C chambers that disinfect objects. It enables us to offer a broad range of UV-C lamps and luminaires that can be used in a variety of applications. Over the past decades, we’ve developed a strong application expertise. In laboratory testing, our UV-C light sources inactivated 99% of SARS-CoV-2 virus on a surface with an exposure time of 6 seconds 3. A clear indication that UV-C can play a valuable part in your protection strategy. All bacteria and viruses tested to date (many hundreds over the years, including various coronaviruses) respond to UV-C disinfection 2. UV-C radiation is a known disinfectant for air, surfaces, objects and water that can help mitigate the risk of acquiring an infection and has been used extensively for more than 40 years 1. We’re all at risk of contracting and spreading viruses and bacteria, especially in busy public areas like the office, factory, store, bar or restaurant, school, museum and on public transport. That’s why many UV systems have a timer that will count down from 365 days and then sound an alarm to let you know it’s time for a lamp change.The quality of the air we breathe, the water we drink and the cleanness of surfaces have a profound effect on our health and well-being. After that, although the lamp appears to be working, there is not enough UV produced to safely drink the water.Ĭhanging the lamp on time is critical to ensuring your safety. That very small amount of mercury contained in the lamp will provide sufficient UV rays to disinfect the water for about one year. The useful life of the UV lamp is determined by the rate at which the mercury is consumed. This glow is simply a by-product of the lamp’s operation. Remember, UV light cannot be seen by the human eye. If your system has a view port, you may see a blue glow from the lamp, but that’s not a result of the UV rays. This is exactly what’s needed to inactivate any pathogens in your water supply.Īs you may know, UV light is not visible to the naked eye and is, in fact, quite damaging, so never look directly at a UV lamp while it’s on. (Not to worry, only a very small amount of mercury is used, typically <10 mg, and it’s safely contained.) In this case, it is the mercury vapor that glows and, emits ultraviolet (UV) light. In this case, the electricity is still passed through a tungsten filament which heats up, but that energy “excites” the mercury vapor contained in the lamp. The tungsten filament is deteriorated with use and eventually it becomes so thin that it quite literally snaps, and no longer lights.Ī UV lamp, however, operates on a different principle, more like a fluorescent light. That glow is the visible light spectrum, so we see the light. This generates heat that causes the tungsten to glow. These are your garden variety bulbs, used in most household light fixtures, it is not necessary to change or replace this bulb until it quite literally burns out.Īn incandescent light bulb works by passing electricity through a tungsten filament. The problem arises from the fact that for most of us, our understanding is heavily influenced by our experience with incandescent lights. Why is it that the useful life is typically defined as 9,000 hours, or about one year of continual use? One of the most misunderstood things about a UV water treatment system is why the lamp should be changed even though it still appears to be working.

Uvc light bulb