CCFL 253nm Technology

[oreo54]

Seems LED still a ways out but do these CCFL show any promise as advertised because I'm getting confused as to this specific bulb technology being deployed by Fluval having said 100% UV-C or not. Due to how compact they are would make plumbing much easier and supposedly longer useful life according to Fluval. Haven't seen them provide any proof of any of their claims. Not that they haven't. Just not seen by me.

100% or 90% makes little difference.
To get 100% you just need to filter out the 10% "other" light .

I haven't actually seen any side by side spectral comparison between cold cathode and normal fluorescent UV-C bulbs showing the spectrum over the range of Interest in order to make the sort of comparison to say that one is far more efficient than the other.
Maybe @oreo54 has seen something that shows the goods.

The main point of the cold cathode is just to extend the bulbs lifespan.
Doubt if efficiency has much to do with things though they do say they are more efficient... Meaning more photons/watt so one can use less watts..

And dimmabilty.
Thought this was funny ..

AMERICA'S LIGHT BULB COMPANY: PREMIUM QUALITY LEDs

Uncover the efficiency and adaptability of cold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFLs), offering long-lasting, energy-saving light for diverse uses.

goodbulb.com

 

[GARRIGA]

100% or 90% makes little difference.
To get 100% you just need to filter out the 10% "other" light .

But does that mean one then gets 6w of UV-C as advertised? That’s what I’m trying to verify.

Unlike Pentair bulbs that show both total wattage and UV-C this item claims 100% UV-C at 6 wats and they confirmed total wattage also 6. Sounds to good to be true but then I’m not a light expert.

 

[oreo54]

But does that mean one then gets 6w of UV-C as advertised? That’s what I’m trying to verify.

Unlike Pentair bulbs that show both total wattage and UV-C this item claims 100% UV-C at 6 wats and they confirmed total wattage also 6. Sounds to good to be true but then I’m not a light expert.

There are always going to be losses.
"I" would assume 6 watts is the bulbs total watts.
2w of actual light 1.9w of actual UV-C...
As a guess-timate.
As to spectrum, will depend on pressure inside the tube and any phosphor conversion.

UV Lamps And Lamp Types

Germicidal UV lamps emit shortwave UV light in the ultraviolet spectrum also known as UVC or germicidal UV

www.americanairandwater.com

It's not easy getting all the engineering specs of this "stuff".

UV Lamps UVC Germicidal for Air and Water Ultraviolet Dsinfection

Replacement UV lamps for germicidal ultraviolet air and water disinfection systems

www.americanairandwater.com

Using general assumptions is about all one can do most of the time.
Doesn't appear that cc lamps are orders of magnitude more efficient

UV-C lamps/fixture for the pet industry can play fast and loose with "stuff" since it's not public health type of issue where more rigid parameters apply.

Well just found out more efficiency does not mean more UV.
I got suspicious with the table in the link above. Looked like the CC was 1/2 the output of a hot cathode lamp.
Which was 1/2 the output of an HO UV lamp..

Cold-cathode UV lamps provide less UV-C output than hot-cathode UV lamps, but consume less energy and can potentially last several thousand hours longer, thus requiring less maintenance.

 

[GARRIGA]

There are always going to be losses.
"I" would assume 6 watts is the bulbs total watts.
2w of actual light 1.9w of actual UV-C...
As a guess-timate.
As to spectrum, will depend on pressure inside the tube and any phosphor conversion.

UV Lamps And Lamp Types

Germicidal UV lamps emit shortwave UV light in the ultraviolet spectrum also known as UVC or germicidal UV

www.americanairandwater.com

It's not easy getting all the engineering specs of this "stuff".

UV Lamps UVC Germicidal for Air and Water Ultraviolet Dsinfection

Replacement UV lamps for germicidal ultraviolet air and water disinfection systems

www.americanairandwater.com

Using general assumptions is about all one can do most of the time.
Doesn't appear that cc lamps are orders of magnitude more efficient

UV-C lamps/fixture for the pet industry can play fast and loose with "stuff" since it's not public health type of issue where more rigid parameters apply.

Well just found out more efficiency does not mean more UV.
I got suspicious with the table in the link above. Looked like the CC was 1/2 the output of a hot cathode lamp.
Which was 1/2 the output of an HO UV lamp..

Is there an affordable way to measure just how much UV-C is produced? Seems based on what you stated these CCFL are getting less than two watts of actual UVC output. Although your last statement sounds as if based off efficiency that might need to be cut in half if I understood that correctly.

 

[oreo54]

Is there an affordable way to measure just how much UV-C is produced? Seems based on what you stated these CCFL are getting less than two watts of actual UVC output. Although your last statement sounds as if based off efficiency that might need to be cut in half if I understood that correctly.

Yesh my assumption was wrong.
I assumed they numbered bulbs in a semi normal way.

A 782 L 10 cc lamp is 10 watts total

It isn't....it's apparently 20 watts

American Ultraviolet GML120 782VH10 - 20W - Single Pin - 357mm - Cold Cathode - Ozone
$89.95

 

[oreo54]

Yesh my assumption was wrong.
I assumed they numbered bulbs in a semi normal way.

A 782 L 10 cc lamp is 10 watts total

It isn't....it's apparently 20 watts

If the efficiency is relatively equal across lamp types yea that 8w is like 1.2w of UV.
More as-u-me- ing

American Ultraviolet GML120 782VH10 - 20W - Single Pin - 357mm - Cold Cathode - Ozone

Save on American Ultraviolet GML120 782VH10 cold cathode UVC germicidal bulbs at ProLampSales.com. Find the American Ultraviolet GML120 782VH10 ultraviolet lamp you need today. Low prices, fast shipping, great service. Shop now!

www.prolampsales.com

8w hot cathode is 2.4 w uv- c.

Philips 299305 TUV 8T5 8W 12in. Germicidal Lamp for water and air disinfection

Philips 299305 TUV 8W T5 Germicidal Mini lamps are slim double-ended UVC (germicidal) lamps used in residential water and air disinfection units. The small 16 mm diameter of the lamp allows for a small system design and design flexibility.Philips 299305 TUV 8T5 Germicidal Mini lamps offer almost...

www.bulbamerica.com

 

[GARRIGA]

This is the replacement bulb with no specs or clue where it came from but very likely closer to your 1.2 vs stated 6w of UVC output.

https://fluvalaquatics.com/us/shop/product/bulb-and-gasket-for-fx-uvc-in-line-clarifier