The UV Light Spectrum
The UV light spectrum is composed of 100-400 nm wavelength light and includes UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C light.
UV-C and UV-B wavelengths are very harmful. UV-C light (100-280 nm) is germicidal and is commonly used in commercial HVAC systems as a means to purify air. UV-B light (280-320 nm) causes erythemal damage (sunburns) and the development of skin cancer in humans.
UV-A wavelength light (320-400nm) is not nearly as harmful to humans. UV-A light does not cause sunburns. However, exposure to UV-A wavelength light for long periods may still cause skin cancer.
The visible light spectrum is beyond the UV light spectrum and is composed of 400-700 nm wavelength light.
Sunlite’s UV LED Light Output
As shown in the figure above, traditional mercury lamps emit light from both the UV and the visible light spectrums, and they may emit both UV-C and UV-B wavelength light.
Sunlite’s UV LED curing units only emit UV-A wavelength light with a narrow bandwidth of 20 nm. As shown in the figure, the peak wavelength of Sunlite’s curing units can be specified as either 365, 375, 385, or 395 nm.
UV Light Safety
The LED lights used in Sunlite’s UV LED curing units:
* Do not generate ozone
* Do not contain mercury
* Emit only UV-A wavelength light close to the visible spectrum (that does not cause sunburns and is typically not harmful)
LED Radiance Safety
Sunlite’s UV LED curing units emit high irradiance light. According to IEC Standard #62471 “The Photobiological Safety of Lamps and Lamp Systems” by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), light emitted by Sunlite’s LED curing units is classified as “Risk Group 3” if viewed directly. The risk due to light emitted by Sunlite’s LED curing units is considered either “exempt” or “low-to-moderate” if viewed indirectly. It is important not to look directly at the UV light emitted by Sunlite’s UV LED curing units without wearing UV viewing glasses!
Product Safety
The safety features of Sunlite’s UV LED Curing Units include:
- The power control box is grounded
- All electrical components and wires are enclosed within the power unit
- The units are RoHS compliant (Restriction of Hazardous Substances, also known as Lead-Free)
- The units contain no Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC-listed substances) according to EU REACH Regulation