 |
|
Distinguishing a UV Lamp's value requires a comparison
between
UV Output Watt Intensity, UV Lamp length, Useful UV
Lamp Life and Cost!
UV
Output Watt Intensity
UV Output Watts, UV radiation in the
250-280 nm wavelength range that is produced by a UV
lamp is used to destroy living microorganisms. Typically,
a low-pressure UV lamp will convert approximately 40%
of its initial Input Watts into useful UV Output
Watts in the 250-280 nm range. |
 |
|
UV
Lamp Model /
UV Lamp Description |
Input
Watts |
UV
Output Watts
250-280 nm Wavelength
(Germicidal Action Curve) |
#GPH463T5
(25 Watt UV Lamp)
|
25
Watts |
8
Watts |
|
|
UV
Lamp Length
The length of a UV lamp distinguishes exposure area (arc
length). So, it becomes obvious that a longer UV lamp
will offer a greater UV exposure area over a shorter lamp.
|
|
UV Lamp Model |
Input Watts |
Output
Watts |
Lamp Length |
|
GPH357T5 (14 Watt UV Lamp)
|
14 |
5 |
357mm |
Superior |
TUVPLL18W (18 Watt UV Lamp)
|
18 |
5.5 |
195mm |
|
|
|
Useful
UV Lamp Life
The useful lamp life of a UV lamp is
when it reaches its 80% efficiency level after continuously
operating for a specific amount of time. Not all lamps perform
equally. Some folks recommend in general that UV lamps be
replaced once every six months. This recommendation is incorrect
for many styles of UV lamps. UV lamp useful lamp life when
comparing different lamps can vary dramatically.
|
| Medium-Pressure
1,000 Hours |
Low-Pressure
9,000 Hours |
|
Low-Pressure verses Medium-Pressure
UV Lamp Performance
Input Watts to UV Output Watts
Judging the performance of any UV lamp based strictly on the
lamp's Input Watts is incorrect. While a medium-pressure 2,000
Watt UV lamp's Input Watts may appear to be impressive at
first glance, a second look at its UV Output Watts
in the 250-280 nm wavelength range reveals its low UV Output
conversion of only 9%. In contrast low-pressure UV lamps deliver
an impressive conversion of 40% from Input Watts to UV
Output Watts in the 250-280 nm range. That is about
4 times greater than medium pressure lamps. |
|
Useful
Lamp Life
Now compare the useful lamp life of medium-pressure lamps
to low-pressure lamps. Medium-pressure lamps typically offer
a useful lamp life of only 1,000 hours while low-pressure
GPH/T5 and T6 style lamps offer 9,000 hours.
Cost
To complete this comparison, we must consider the cost difference
between low pressure and medium pressure UV lamps. Let’s
compare the cost difference between low pressure and medium
pressure UV lamps with a comparison objective of 170 UV
Output Watts, operating continuously for one year.
1 –
2,000 Watt Medium Pressure Lamp =
170 UV Output Watts / Useful Lamp Life of
1,000 hours / Ave. Cost $1,200.00 each
4 –
150 Watt Low-Pressure Lamps =
188 UV Output Watts / Useful Lamp life of
9,000 hours / Ave. Cost $130.00
each x 4 = $520.00 |
Annual
Replacement UV Lamp Cost Comparison |
|
Medium-Pressure
9 times annually X $1,200.00 =
$10,800.00
|
Low-Pressure
1 time annually X $520.00 = $520.00
|
|
