Why use UVC irradiation to eliminate germs?
UVC-light - a well-documented disinfection method
UVGI is a disinfection method that uses short-wavelength ultraviolet light (UV-C) to kill or deactivate microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, molds, and other pathogens by destroying nucleic acids and disrupting their DNA/RNA. This leaves them unable to perform vital cellular functions and reproduction.
UVGI has been an accepted practice in medical sanitation and disinfection of sterile work facilities since the mid-20th century. It can be used to disinfect air, surfaces, and water with prolonged exposure.
Disinfection is a function of UVC intensity and time. It is usually measured in microjoules per square centimeter, or equivalently as microwatt seconds per square centimeter (μW·s/cm2). Dosages for a 90% elimination of most bacteria and viruses range from 2,000 to 8,000 μW·s/cm2.
The type of UVC lamps makes the difference
There are different ways to manufacture UVC lamps:
- Low Pressure Amalgam Germicidal Lamps
- Quartz Germicidal lamps
- Standard Output Quartz Germicidal lamps
- High Output (HO) Quartz Lamps
In Dolphin Care UVC products you will find HO lamps. HO lamps yield up to 66% more UVC output when compared to standard lamps of the same length. HO lamps offer system designers unique opportunities to decrease the number of lamps required without compromising functionality of the system. This has the added potential benefits of reduced system footprint, increased efficacy and/or increased system capacity.
The length of the lamps, the watt power defines the UVC output μW·s/cm2 – below is a table for clarification.
| Length in mm | Power in W | UVC output in μW·s/cm2 |
| 436 | 48 | 120 |
| 842 | 87 | 260 |
| 846 | 265 | |
| 893 | 95 | 270 |
| 1554 | 155 | 395 |
The Dolphin Care UVC Room Disinfector is equipped with 12 lamps with a length of 1554 mm.
