Study on Effectiveness of UVC Lamps Used for Sterilization

The PYHS.ORG website recently cited a study out of Washington State University that looked at the effectiveness of UVC lamps on sterilizing organic fruits and vegetables.  It showed that ultraviolet C (UVC) light does destroys foodborne pathogens on the surface of certain fruit.  Their complete report is published in the International Journal of Food Microbiology.

Reacting to a concern from organic food growers regarding safe alternatives to chemical sanitizers, a team of WSU food safety scientists started a study using UVC light, which has shorter wavelengths than UV-A or B light.  One of the researchers, Shyam Sablani explains, "UVC radiation is present in sunlight; however, it is completely absorbed by the ozone layer and Earth's atmosphere."  He went on to say that, “It has germicidal properties and can be effective against bacteria, mold and viruses."

To determine how effective the UVC light destroyed listeria and E. coli, fruits such as apples, pears, strawberries, raspberries and cantaloupe were exposed to various doses of the light.  Results showed that the UVC light inactivated up to 99.9 percent of pathogens on smoother skinned fruit such as apples and pears but only 90 percent of pathogens on the rough-surfaced fruit.  They also discovered that listeria was more UVC resistant than E. coli.  More studies are being done to find ways to increase the effectiveness of UVC light on fruits with rough surfaces but overall the scientists felt that UVC technology is promising.    

LightSources along with our European partner, LightTech, offer a wide range of high-quality standard and custom-designed UV germicidal lamps and components.  We provide OEMs of any size the benefits of our unique, proprietary solutions that have been developed specifically for germicidal applications.  Our lamps are used in applications for: sewage treatment, purification of municipal and domestic drinking water, food processing and protection (irradiation), water reclamation, HVAC air sterilization, and odor control.

LightSources and our affiliated companies, LCD Lighting, Voltarc along with strategic partners LightTech, and Cerlux represent the leading high-tech designers and manufacturers in the lamp industry today.  Our products are used worldwide and are found in a multitude of applications and industries such as our UV germicidal lamps that offer patent-protected, OEM-oriented solutions.  Please contact us for more information.

Source:phys.org/news/2015-07-uv-foodborne-pathogens-fruits.html

UV Curing Lamps – Industries’ Preferred Choice

As global leaders, LightSources and European partner, LightTech, design and manufacture high-tech UV curing lamps that are quickly becoming the preferred choice for many industries.  UV curing lamps are a cost-effective alternative to heat-cured inks and are easy to operate and maintain. They are used to cure UV-light activated inks, bonds, adhesives and finishes such as lacquers, glazes and varnishes.  LightSources and LightTech lamps are manufactured in state-of-the-art facilities and are constructed from the highest quality materials.

The three primary types of UV curinglamps we manufacture are high pressure UV (HPUV), medium pressure UV (MPUV) and amalgam lamps.  As a customer, you will have a selection of standard as well as customized lamps, and we will assist you with designing a system that meets your curing application requirements.  In addition since LightSources’ lamps are compact in design, it makes retrofitting easy.  Also our curing lamps are not only energy-efficient but are long-lasting as well.   

In a UV curing lamp, the ultraviolet light creates an invisible electromagnetic radiation that has a wavelength shorter than visible light, but longer than x-rays.  With a wavelength range of 10 nanometers (nm) to 400nm, the UV light is emitted by electric arcs and used for actinic purposes such as to produce chemical reactions.  When the proper intensity of UV light is used, a chemical reaction occurs that produces a byproduct that hardens the resin.  While this technology is most commonly used for curing or drying chemical compounds, inks and coatings, it is also recently being used to inactivate microorganisms (bacteria).

UV curing lamps are used in many different industries such as automotive, industrial, electrical, medical and optical.  Please see our website to learn more about how this innovative technology may be helpful to your business.    

LightSources and our affiliated companies represent the leading high-tech designers and manufacturers in the lamp industry today.  Our products are used world-wide in a multitude of applications and industries such as our UV germicidal lamps that offer patent-protected, OEM-oriented solutions.  Please contact us to learn more about our extensive selection of lamps.

Offering OEMs Innovative Solutions Since 1983

For over thirty years, LightSources, founded by Christian L. Sauska and his former partners, has offered OEM lamp designs and manufacturing that encompasses not only state-of-the-art technology, but exceptional service and support.  Today, the LightSources group is a worldwide operation and consists of LightSources, LCD Lighting, Voltarc, LightTech and Cerlux.  Each of our companies represents the best in their specialty and we currently employ over 1,000 people.   

Our North American headquarters are in Orange, Connecticut and three of our companies, LightSources, LCD Lighting, and Voltarc are located at the 3.5 acre facility.  Here we handle all operations, including sales, general and administrative functions, manufacturing, warehousing and distribution.  

At LightSources we are the world leader in designing, engineering and manufacturing low pressure tanning and UVC quartz germicidal lamps.  Our extensive portfolio includes UVC germicidal lamps, specialty UV lamps, low pressure fluorescent and high pressure facial tanning lamps, amalgam lamps, twist, dual and triple-phosphor tanning lamps, medical lamps, collagen fluorescent lamps, and other eco-friendly UV lighting solutions.

LCD Lighting, Inc. was founded in 1987 and designs, manufactures, and supplies specialty fluorescent lamps used throughout the world.  Our specialty is avionic display backlighting and we produce cold and hot cathode fluorescent, scanning and illumination, sub-miniature, miniature, aperture and reflector lamps.

Voltarc joined the LightSources group in 2009 and has been a leader in the signage industry for over 75 years.  As a manufacturer of fluorescent and neon sign lighting components, we have earned an excellent reputation for developing specialty fluorescent lamps, ultraviolet curing lamps and related electrical lampholders and wiring devices.

LightTech, our European strategic partner, has a similar portfolio as LightSources and is also regarded as a market leader.  To round out our group, Cerlux is a leading designer and manufacturer of custom thin ceramic bases.  

LightSources and our affiliated companies represent the leading high-tech designers and manufacturers in the lamp industry today.  Our standard lamps and components as well as customized products offer high-quality solutions to meet our partner’s unique needs.  Please contact us for more information.

High-Tech Glass for Virtually Any Lamp

LightSources’ strategic European partner, LightTech, owns and operates one of the most advanced glassworks in Europe.  The ultra-modern facility, located in Dunakeszi, Hungary, was opened in 2001 and manufactures and sells open, closed, FS and germicidal glass along with our proprietary SolGlass®.  The plant allows us to control the entire process, and our customers benefit by our ability to offer short runs and quick turnaround with the upmost quality control. 

By manufacturing the four major glass types used in most lamps, our customers can readily obtain the products they need whether it is general lighting or our specialty tanning, dermatological, and ultraviolet germicidal lamps.  Our twenty-acre facility has internal chemistry and phosphor capabilities, which means we can also provide clients customized and proprietary lighting solutions.

LightTech’s Closed Glass is a popular choice in the tanning industry especially throughout Europe. It emits more UVA and offers the least amount of UVB energy.  In North America, Open Glass is more commonly used in tanning applications.  With 297nm and approximately a 35% transmission, it offers a more balanced ratio of UV-A and B light to pass through the glass.

Another type of glass produced at our manufacturing facility is FS Glass, which is used for dermatological purposes to treat specific skin conditions.  Its properties are right between open and closed glass and uses a very narrow band phosphor for pure UV-B lamps.  

Our Germicidal Soft Glass is used in applications to treat and sterilize air, water, and surfaces from bacteria, viruses and pathogens.  This is the most open glass and allows for the highest UV transmission of 91%.  The other type of glass produced at the glasswork facility is our SolGlass®, which is based on the combination of new glass technology and a proprietary phosphor blend.

LightSources and our strategic partner LightTech, along with our affiliated companies, represent the leading high-tech designers and manufacturers in the lamp industry today.  Our products are used world-wide in a multitude of applications and industries such as our UV germicidal lamps that offer patent-protected, OEM-oriented solutions.  Please contact us to learn more about our extensive selection of lamps.

Customized Lampholders and Wiring Devices

As a part of the LightSources group, Voltarc is the leading manufacturer of fluorescent and neon lighting components for the signage industry.  Our range of products includes specialty fluorescent lamps and ultraviolet curing lamps along with electrical lampholders and wiring devices.  Whether you need standard lamps for very basic signage or an entirely customized solution for an intricate, challenging project, we have the expertise to create a high-quality, high-performing system.    

Voltarc’s customers benefit from the high-level of innovative engineering capabilities of our engineers.  We take traditional, standard lamp design a step further with state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities and future-oriented technologies to give clients the finest products on the market.  In addition our dedicated team offers exceptional service and support and we work diligently to ensure we provide you with the most energy-efficient solutions.

When it comes to lampholders and wiring devices, Voltarc’s customers get the best there is as we use the highly dependable Kulka brand to produce our lights.  Together, Voltarc and Kulka bring more than 150 years of experience to the manufacturing of electrical wiring devices, quality fluorescent, high intensity discharge and incandescent lampholders; starter sockets and convenience outlets.

Kulka’s line of products includes Medium Bi-pin and Miniature Bi-Pin Lampholders, Slim Line Lampholders, and RDC (Recessed Double Contacts) Lampholders as well as miscellaneous components and accessories.  This support from Kulka allows us to offer clients a total systems approach that helps to lower the total cost of the product. 

Lampholders and wiring devices by Kulka are the top choice for sign professionals as no other products stand up to their performance.  Kulka’s patented Dead Front housing design protects against ground faults by eliminating rivets in the face of the lampholder and completely isolating it from the ground.  Contact us for information on how our engineers can assist you in the design and application of any of your current or brand-new products.  

The LightSources group represents the leading high-tech designers and manufacturers in the lamp industry today. Our standard lamps and components as well as customized products offer high-quality solutions to meet our partner’s unique needs.  We invite you to contact us to learn more about our wide selection of lamps.