FAQ Page

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

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

Germicidal UVC lamps have approximately 9,000 hours (1 year) fo continuous use, with only 15% decrease in output over one year.

The amount of human skin cells in dust concentrations due to human presence in areas that UVC devices disinfect is extremely high. With high levels of keratin and cysteine in the dust particles, the breaking of chemical bonds in both molecules causes the formation of sulfer containing thiols. With the low threshold of human detection to smell, thiols are the reason why UV devices cause a potentially unpleasant odor in rooms after disinfection.

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

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.

Ultraviolet light in the germicidal wavelength 185-254 nanometers - renders the organism sterile. Ultraviolet will destroy DNA and RNA of organisms and make them no longer reproduce and die.

Germicidal UVC lamps do not product much heat - about the same as fluorescent lamps.

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.

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

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

Prolonged, direct exposure to UVC light can cause temporary skin redness and eye irritation, but does not cause skin cancer or cataracts. American Ultraviolet systems are designed with safety in mind and, when properly installed by a professional contractor, do not allow exposure to ultraviolet irradiation and allow for safe operation and maintenance. 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 ash", and your eyes can feel dry or gritty. At no time do germicidal lamps cause any permanent damage.

Long-term exposure of germicidal UVC light to plastics will shorten the shelf life of the plastic by approximately 10%. Example: If the plastic would normally last about ten years, and it's exposed to germicidal UVC light the entire time, it would probably need to be replaced in 9 years. Plant life may be damaged by direct, or reected, germicidal ultraviolet rays. Transient dyes and colors may be faded from prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays.

No - germicidal UVC sterilizes only what it comes in contact with. If you have a room sterilizer, and there are light fixtures or fans hanging from the ceiling, the UVC light will stop when it hits these fixtures. This may require additional fixtures placed strategically in the room to ensure complete coverage.

Yes - a germicidal lamp is one part of a system, and the system cannot be fully dened and optimized unless the lamp and ballast combination is determined. It is the interaction of the lamp and ballast that is the true determinant of system performance.

Germicidal UVC lamps can be used in ceiling fixtures suspended above the people in a room, or within air ducts of re-circulating systems. The first method is called Upper Air Irradiation. The fixtures are shielded on the bottom so that the radiation is directed only up toward the ceiling and out the sides. These upper-air germicidal fixtures are mounted at least 7ft. above the floor so that people will not bump into them or look directly at the lamps. The second method of air disinfection uses UVC lamps placed inside the ventilation system ducts. If a ceiling is too low for an upper-air irradiation fixture, this type of an in-duct germicidal fixture can be used. Also, because people are not exposed to the UVC radiation, very high levels can be used inside the ducts.

In personal protection applications (the use of lamps for room irradiation in homes, schools, offices, etc.), indirect fixtures such as Corner Mount fixtures are mounted above eye level. Only the upper air is irradiated and persons or animals occupying the area receive no direct exposure. Direct ultraviolet irradiations, such as UVC mobile model irradiate the air in the entire room. In such installations, personnel should be protected by wearing either goggles or face shields designed for ultraviolet exposure, and by covering as much skin as possible with clothing or sun block.