Four types of fluorescent UV lamps are available for the QUV: two types of UVA lamps and two of UVB lamps. The exposure application determines which lamp should be used. All of the lamps produce mainly ultraviolet rather than visible of infrared light.

All are electrically the same as an ordinary 40-watt fluorescent. The lamps differ in the total amount of UV energy emitted in their wavelength spectrum

Wavelength Regions of the UV Spectrum

Fluorescent UV lamps are usually categorized as UVA, UVB or UVC lamps, depending on the region into which most of their output falls. The UV spectrum is divided into three regions

• UVA Region, 315 to 400 nanometers
• UVB Region, 280 to 315 nanometers
• UVC Region, below 280 nanometers (not usually used for weathering testing)

Cool White fluorescent lamps have been found useful in the QUV for reproducing the fading and the color shift caused by general office type lighting. The irradiance level of the cool whites in a QUV is approximately 10 times that of a "desk-top environment".

Other Lamps

Other UV lamps are available from various manufacturers. Although the labels or nominal specifications may be the same (e.g., UVB-313 or UVA-340), they are likely to have different irradiance, spectrum power distribution or aging characteristics. Consequently, they may not give the same test results as Q-Panel lamps.

QUV machines are designed for use with Q-Panel calibrated lamps. The machines give the UV output depending on the calibrated current required from particular irradiance level.

Spectral Power Distribution

The SPDs of any of the lamps can be forwarded in large scale, for which you are requested to send us a message with your contact address.