UV light has been used as a curative method for quite some time. Since the technology of lamps and materials has substantially advanced in recent years, it has become more popular. Sheetfed, web, and wide format inkjet technology are now being used. The following are some of the most significant advantages of UV inks:
To learn more about UV and how it works, I spoke with Norm Fitton, President of Anniversary UV, who has been working with UV technology for over 20 years. Most printers purchase UV systems that are supplied by the equipment’s manufacturer but manufactured by someone else. Understanding how UV lamps function will help you get the most out of them while also saving money.
UV lamps come in a variety of shapes and sizes to suit a variety of purposes. UV lamps with low pressure can be used for disinfection, curing nails and dental fillings, and water purification. A medium pressure, linear (straight tubes), mercury vapor arc lamp is typically utilized in printing applications. UV lamps with a medium pressure cure inks and coatings quickly. It’s a photochemical reaction, not a thermal one. It enables the equipment to run at extremely high speeds for long periods of time.
A filament is found in ordinary light bulbs. The filament glows as a result of the electricity, providing light. A filament is not used in medium-pressure UV lamps. A high-voltage charge is used to ionize a mercury/gas mixture in the lamp, resulting in a plasma that generates UV light. A high voltage/amperage power supply is required for this system (typically a magnetic ballast transformer with a high voltage capacitor bank). The ballast is connected to the bulb in series and serves two purposes. The ballast first applies a high voltage charge to the mercury to’strike’ or ‘ionize’ it. The ballast then reduces the voltage and amperage required to keep the mercury ionized and emit a stable stream of UV light once it has been ionized.
To cure the inks or coatings, these lights produce a specified wavelength. The majority of these lamps produce 300 to 600 watts per inch at the moment, with some newer systems having lamps that produce up to 1000 watts per inch. A 30,000-watt UV bulb, for example, may be 30 inches long. They’re also capable of operating at extremely high temperatures (850 to 950 Celsius or 1550 to 1750 Fahrenheit).
Quartz is used to make this sort of UV lamp. The extreme temperatures would be too much for a standard glass product to survive. To get the right electrical specification, an inert gas (typically argon) is pushed into the quartz sleeve, and then mercury is added. To attain specific wavelengths, iron and gallium are occasionally added. To finish the lamp, the tubes are sealed and the appropriate electrical end-fittings are fitted.
To compensate for the considerable working heat, these lamps require a robust cooling system. They’re commonly cooled by air or air plus water. Reflectors are also used to increase the amount of UV light transmitted to the substrate. For optimal curing, there must be an even flow of air or water across the bulb. If the lamps are too cool, the ink or coating may not cure. Outside air is used to cool some systems. To ensure proper cooling when the seasons change, you may need to alter your fan speed or increase/decrease the water temperature, depending on your geographic location.
Another issue that can impair lamp performance is contamination. Air pollutants such as spray powder from other presses or dust particles might bake on the lamps, causing a haze, due to the high heat. The lamps’ performance suffers as a result of this. Even after a long period of use, the quartz should be totally clear.
Here are a few tips for extending the life and performance of your lamps.
- Ensure that the lights are kept at the proper operating temperature and that there is an even flow of air or water throughout the tube. If necessary, adjust fan speeds according to the season to maintain the desired temperature. If the system is also water cooled, the water temperature should be kept as near to 72 degrees as possible as a general rule of thumb.
- To reduce contamination, clean lights once a week with alcohol on a clean cotton cloth. Don’t massage too vigorously.
- Make sure the cooling system’s filters aren’t blocked by checking and changing them on a regular basis.
- Each week, rotate the lamps a quarter turn in the same direction.
Replacement UV lamps are available from the OEM or other light distributors/manufacturers around the United States. The bulb’s quality is critical, since not all bulbs are manufactured to the same tolerances. If you’re ordering from someone other than the OEM manufacturer, here are some pointers to help you acquire the appropriate bulb:
- Please provide a functional example. – a used lamp that is intact and still lights- allows the supplier to measure the physical and electrical characteristics
- To ensure the part # is correct, obtain a part # (not a serial #) as well as physical measurements such as total tip to tip length, electrode to electrode length (arc), quartz outer diameter in mm, and end fitting description.
- Obtain precise physical and electrical measurements-
- End fitting description, total tip to tip length, electrode to electrode length (arc), quartz outer diameter in mm, and total tip to tip length
- Voltage and amperage of the light (operating electrical signature from ballast transformer to lamp)
You can get the most out of these systems by doing routine maintenance and searching around for providers.
What is the energy content of UV light?
What is UV Energy, and how does it work? UV light falls between 400 and 100 nm on the electromagnetic spectrum, with photon energies ranging from 3 to 124 eV.
How much power does a reptile UV light consume?
When looking for reptile lights to buy, you may be concerned about how much they will cost to run. These devices utilize electricity, which may result in an increase in your overall utility usage.
While there are a few factors to consider (such as how many light bulbs you’re buying or how many animals you have), it’s simple enough to make an estimate. Initially, a lamp should cost between $10 and $25. These lights use 100-150 watts per hour on average. This works out to about 1.4 cents per hour. If you leave the lamp on for the recommended 12 hours each day, it will cost you about $.17 per day, or $5 per month. We propose looking into ways to make other portions of your home more energy-efficient to help offset this cost.
How much does it cost to run UV lamps on electricity?
The cost of a coil UV light ranges from $60 to $285, with an installation cost of $100 to 225, a lamp cost of $10 to $60, and an energy cost of $15 to $30. Air sanitizing lights cost between $80-$400 per light, $150-$295 per installation, $15-$125 every lamp, and use the same amount of energy as coil lights.
Consider your wants and concerns before making any adjustments to your HVAC system. Is there a lot of mold and mildew in your system or home? Is the quality of your indoor air deteriorating? Is there anyone in your household who suffers from allergies? If you answered “yes” to any of those questions, you might want to think about using UV lamps in your HVAC system. However, bear in mind that there are other ways to maintain your house allergy-free, such as:
- Changing your air filter on a regular basis
- Identifying and repairing any air leaks
- Properly ventilating your home
- Maintaining a clean and debris-free air handler, outdoor unit, and indoor coil
- Cleaning your air vents and registers on a regular basis is a good idea.
Do black lights consume a lot of power?
Fluorescent blacklights have an efficiency rating of 5-15 percent, to give you a rough idea. In other words, the blacklight will produce 5-15 watts of usable UV light for every 100 watts of electrical energy consumed.
How do you figure out how much energy UV radiation has?
Substituting the specified average wavelength into the formula E=hc E = h c yields the energy of the average visible photon.
Is it true that UV bulbs produce heat?
Traditional UV lights generate a significant amount of heat, which is subsequently transmitted to the water flow. This causes the process water to heat up, and excessive heat can cause quartz sleeve fouling. Furthermore, traditional UV lamps are much more temperature sensitive, making them less effective under less-than-ideal conditions.
UV LED systems can be designed to not transfer heat into the water, resulting in lower fouling rates and consistent UV output regardless of water temperature.
60 watts consumes how many amps?
When a 60 watt LED light bulb is turned on, it will consume around 0.54 amps, which means you’ll need a transformer with at least 120 volts and 15 amp capacity to keep it from tripping the breaker.
Is it true that a heat light consumes a lot of electricity?
For example, if you use a 250 watt (0.25 kilowatt) heat lamp bulb 24 hours a day, multiply the kilowatts of the bulb by the number of hours you use it. This indicates your light bulb consumes 6 kilowatts over the course of a day. This translates to 180 kilowatts per month for the heat lamp.
