UVC Sterilization

Can I put UV fixtures in my home?

Yes. UV fixtures have been used in hospitals and clinics for many years. Now the same kind of germicidal UV can be used for residential homes. American Ultraviolet's ACP models are mounted in the air-duct system of your air conditioning unit to sterilize the air coming into your home. Utility fixtures also are mounted at the coil area of your system. We have portable air-sterilization units, Model RM9U105 and Model AP-600, which can be placed anywhere in the room to sterilize the air as it circulates.

Do the germicidal lamps kill viruses?

Yes. Germicidal UV lamps kill up to 99.9% of most viruses, airborne bacteria and mold spores.

Will germicidal UV take care of mold?

Yes. Germicidal UV lamps will kill up to 99.9% of mold and help prevent future mold growth.

How often do the lamps need to be replaced?

Germicidal UV lamps are good for approximately 10,000 hours of continuous use. Generally, lamps should be replaced at least once a year. Remember, the lamp will continue to stay lit for many years. However, the UV effectiveness needed to kill organisms diminishes after about 10,000 hours. You should not wait until the lamp goes out to replace it, as you would with a regular light bulb.

Should UV lamps be cleaned?

Yes. Depending on the surrounding environment, UV lamps should be checked periodically (approximately every three months) and cleaned with a dry cotton cloth or paper towel. Wear rubber gloves and clean with alcohol only. This will also help maximize lamp life.

How much intensity do I need to kill certain organisms?

The exposure of germicidal ultraviolet is the product of time and intensity. High intensities for a short period and low intensities for a long period are fundamentally equal in lethal action on bacteria. The inverse square law applies to germicidal ultraviolet as it does to light: The killing power decreases as the distance from the lamps increases. The average bacterium will be killed in ten seconds at a distance of six inches from the lamp in an American Ultraviolet UF-36 or SM-36 direct fixture.

Can the germicidal lamps be turned on and off continuously?

There are three types of germicidal UV lamps:
(1) “Cold Cathode” lamps are instant-start, using a large cylindrical cathode instead of a coil filament so the lamps have a very long life unaffected by frequency of starting.
(2) “Slimline” lamps are also instant-start and are available in low-, high- and very high-ozone types. Their lamp life is governed by the electrode life and number of starts. Because of their high initial UV emission and good maintenance, Slimline UV Germicidal Lamps are well adapted for applications such as air cooling and heating systems, conveyor lines, water sterilization and other applications that require around-the-clock" use.
(3) “Hot Cathode,” or preheat/hot cathode, lamps generally use standard, off-the-shelf fluorescent ballasts, providing advantages in economy and space. Preheat lamps have four electrical connections per lamp and require more wiring than instant-start lamps. Frequent starts/stops will reduce the lamp life of Hot Cathode lamps.

How do germicidal lamps kill?

Ultraviolet light in the germicidal wavelength – 185-254 nanometers – renders the organisms sterile. When organisms can no longer reproduce, they die.

How hot do the lamps get?

Germicidal UV lamps do not produce too much heat. They could be considered similar to a fluorescent lamp.

To be effective, how close to the surface do the lamps need to be?

The same Intensity Chart mentioned in Question #6 can be used to determine the distance needed.

Do I need ozone or not?

It depends on your particular need. Most of the time you do not need ozone, unless there are shaded areas that the UV light cannot reach. Ozone helps to "carry" the UV radiation in the air to where it normally cannot reach directly.

When do I need to use ozone-producing lamps?

Germicidal UV lamps generate energy at 185 nanometers as well as 254nm. This UV emission produces abundant amounts of ozone in air. Ozone is an extremely active oxidizer and destroys microorganisms on contact. Ozone also acts as a deodorizer. Another advantage is that it can be carried by air into places that UV radiation cannot reach directly.

What damage will the lamps do to me?

They can be harmful in what's called “surface damage.” If you are exposed to direct germicidal light, it can burn the top surface of your skin. If your eyes are exposed, it would be similar to a “welder's flash,” and your eyes can feel dry or gritty. At no time do germicidal lamps cause any permanent damage.

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