Calibrating a UV intensity Meter

Measuring UV intensity

An ultravoilet light is divided into three bands i.e. UVA, UVB, UVC.

  • UVA : It is a long wave UV transparent wavelength, 315 nm to 400 nm UV transparent. It causes skin tan, skin elasticity and collagen fibers.
    • Uses: Curing Lamps in the Curing Industries.
  • UVB : It is a medium wave UV with erythema effect, wavelength 280 nm to 320 nm. It promotes Vitamin D formation in body, but exposure for long time is not recommended.
    • Uses : In Health care Physiotherapy Lamps
  • UVC : It is a short wave with bacterial effect wavelength, 200 nm to 280 nm. It is very harmful, and its long term exposure causes skin Cancer.
    • Uses: In Hospitals Germicidal Lamps

There are three fundamental parameters for UV measurement. These are wavelength, energy density and irradiance.

  • Wavelength: To measure the wavelength we require a Spectroradiometer (they can measure individual peaks) or Spectrometer.
  • Irradiance: Intensity is the output energy of UV source. The amount of UV falling on a surface is called irradiance. A cm2 is the area which is used to track the UV from all angles and is determined by direct measurements. It is measured in Watt/cm2 or mW/cm2 .
  • UV Energy Density:It is exposure of UV light with time factor. That is 1 watt for 1 sec equal 1 joule. It is measured in Joules/cm2 or mJ/cm2 .

UV Instrument

Now it is very important to understand your UV measuring instrument. It will help you and the customers to better understand the readings.

UVC Intensity meter with sensor

What factors cause

  1. Potential confusion
  2. Measurement Errors

Some factors which influence Irradiance Measurements are:

  • Filtering
  • Solarization
  • Cosine error

UVB or UVA light sources irradiation intensity can be detected by the UV lamp intensity meter. Multi-probe UV measurement device that can be equipped with probes: No matter you want to test the UVA,UVB or UVC band. You can select a suitable probe.

ITC India  is offering the following services for Calibration

  1. Calibration of UV intensity Meter
  2. Calibration of UV sensor
  3. Validation of UV chamber
  4. Calibration of UV bulbs