A. How does the manufacturer conduct life tests on the lamps (bulbs) he uses?
Many do not conduct life tests on their lamps. UV SYSTEMS, Inc. tests its SuperBright UV lamps in a special jig that simulates the environmental factors (such as heat) that could affect the life of a lamp (in an enclosed fixture what the approximately same cubic space as in the UV light assembly). The UV SYSTEMS, Inc. SuperBright lamps are cycled for about 10 min. “on” and about 36 sec. “off.” That duty cycle for a UV hand light is much more realistic than the lamp manufacturers testing of the lamps in free air for 3 hours “on” and 30 min. “off.”
B. How is the filter changed if it breaks or becomes solarized? Is the filter glued in, held by some removable clips, fits in a trough, or some other way?
The SuperBright 3 has an easy-to-remove cover on slip-hinges that holds the filter. The filter is held in place by two specially designed filter holder brackets with “fingers.” These “fingers” prevent excess tension from being applied to the filter. Each filter holder bracket is held in place by three sheet metal screws. No glue or adhesive must be removed to replace the filter.
C. How easy is it to replace a lamp (bulb)? Do you have to remove several screws or bolts to get to the lamp and lamp socket (if a socket is used) or can you just twist a captive knob to get to the lamp?
Some manufacturers have screws that go around the outside of the cover, and all must be removed before you can access the lamp. In the SuperBright 3 one side of the cover has a captive bolt that you unscrew and the other side a slip-hinge. The lamp is held in by a lamp clip and the lamp socket (a copper wire is used to hold the ends of the lamp clip together – the wire is not required but is there to prevent the lamp from coming loose during shipment). Once the lamp clip wire is removed the lamp can be easily removed from the lamp socket.
D. How does the SW UV light manufacturer measure the reflection of his reflector at 254 nm wavelength?
Most UV light manufacturers do not measure their reflector material directly, but rely on the reflector manufacturer (which often does not have the equipment to measure reflection at 254 nm). Some manufacturers do not even know that some reflective material that is highly reflecting (in visible light) has a very poor reflection at 254 nm (maybe only 45%). UV SYSTEMS, Inc. has a special reflective measurement attachment that is used with its spectroradiometer to measure samples of different reflective sheet rolls. Only a roll with a high reflection (greater than 70%) at 254 nm is chosen to supply the reflectors for the SuperBright 3, TripleBright 3, or Dual TripleBright 3.
E. How does the manufacturer know how long the battery will operate the UV light on one charge? And how does he know how long it takes to recharge the battery?
Some UV manufacturers may not even conduct any tests. UV SYSTEMS, Inc. has conducted several tests and with the old 7 Amp-Hour (AH) battery that was being used with the original SuperBright. With the new SuperBright 3 that battery will operate for over 6 hours on a charge (with intermittent use). With the new 8.5 AH batteries the SuperBright 3 will last longer, about 7 hours on a charge (with intermittent use). UV SYSTEMS, Inc. verifies charge time by tests.
F. Are replacement lamps, filters, switches, connectors, or ballasts available from other sources or only from the UV light manufacturer?
Some UV light manufacturers use off-the-shelf lamps and ballasts, so those replacement items are available from other companies. UV SYSTEMS, Inc. uses custom-made lamps in its UV lights, and those parts are only available from UV SYSTEMS, Inc.
While you cannot purchase the parts at your local hardware or electronics store, the UV SYSTEMS, Inc. custom-made parts provide a superior product in several ways: (1) the inverter-ballast is designed to drive the lamp harder for maximum UV output, (2) the SuperBright 3 lamps are specially made in a “U” shape to provide more UV output in a smaller space, and more importantly (3) the tubing used in all of the SW lamps (SuperBright 3, TripleBright 3, or Dual TripleBright 3) are made of quartz with about 91% SW transmission, while the tubing used in other SW lamps is not quartz but UV-C glass and only transmits about 79% of the SW. Custom-made parts equal superior quality.
G. How does the manufacturer test the SW filters to know how many hours they will last in his SW UV light?
Some UV manufactures do not even have the equipment to measure the transmission of SW filters and therefore cannot do any quantified testing. UV SYSTEMS, Inc. uses its UV radiometer to measure the SW filters that it puts in the lamp life test jig. The lamp life tests can simultaneously test the life of the lamps, SW filters, inverter-ballasts, and AC-to-DC power supplies.
H. How does the UV light manufacturer tests his ballasts to know how long they will last?
Many of the UV light manufacturers do not bother. The UV SYSTEMS, Inc. lamp life tests can simultaneously test the life of the lamps, SW filters, inverter-ballasts, and AC-to-DC power supplies.