UV black light is often used in fluorescent art, human body black light art, and decorative lighting in parties, art galleries, aquariums. In this article, you will know what is UV light and what UV light fixtures can you use.
1. What Is A UV LED?
UV LED is a semiconductor device, current flows from positive pole to negative pole, producing specific ultraviolet wavelengths. The visible spectrum of the human body is 400-780nm, and the ultraviolet light wavelength is 100-400nm, which is invisible light.
Ultraviolet rays are often used in industrial curing, forensic bloodstain identification, blood analysis, molecular detection, imaging, banknote verification, sterilization, water purification, medical biology, etc.
- UV-C Light: 100-280nm, short wavelength, not absorbed by the atmosphere, can destroy the DNA of microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses, air purification, deodorization, water sterilization, purification, filtration, etc.
- UV-B Light: 280-315nm, meddle wavelength, mainly absorbed by the atmosphere, used for medical biology, lithography, sensing, antibacterial effect, at risk of skin cancer.
- UV-A Light/Blacklight: 315-400nm, long wavelength/near ultraviolet light, completely absorbed by the atmosphere, applications like industrial curing (inks, coatings, or adhesives), banknote detection, bloodstain identification, imaging, and sensing. Least harmful.
| UV Light | Ultraviolet Wavelength | Application | Potential Danger |
| UV-C Light | 100-280nm | Destroy the DNA of microorganisms, air purification, deodorization, water sterilization, purification, and filtration | Skin cancer risk, skin aging, damaged eyesight |
| UV-B Light | 280-315nm | Medical biology, lithography, sensing, antibacterial effect | Skin cancer risk, skin aging, damaged eyesight |
| UV-A Light | 315-400nm | Industrial curing (inks, coatings, or adhesives), banknote detection, bloodstain identification, imaging, and sensing | Least harmful |
1.1 Are UV LEDs Harmful?
Long-term high exposure to UV lights may lead to potential health problems such as skin cancer or skin aging, weakened immune system, and damage to eyesight. Strictly follow the correct operation during using the UV LED light.
During the working process of LED UV lighting, do not look directly at your eyes. The UV light detected by the eyes is actually smaller than the UV light emitted by the LED. If you need to check, please wear UV filter glasses or goggles to avoid damage to the eyes.
2. LED UV Light Advantages
There is a trend showing that UV LED lights are replacing existing UV mercury lamps for sterilization and disinfection.
Low Power Consumption
The UV LED light is driven by DC power, and it will turn on immediately, with low energy consumption and low thermal damage. UV mercury lamp uses AC high voltage power supply, it takes a period of time to warm up to achieve 100% UV light output, high heat.
Longer Life
UV LEDs have a lifespan of up to 50,000 hours with low maintenance costs. The UV mercury lamp has a service life of about 2000 hours.
Health and Environmental Protection
UV LED does not contain mercury, the material is environmentally friendly and harmless to the human body. UV mercury lamps produce ozone, cause breathing problems for those working nearby, require good ventilation, and require higher costs to maintain.
3. Choose The Right UV Light Fixture
There are various shapes and forms of LED UV light fixtures on the market, below we list a few types. Choose the UV LED light power according to the size of your room.
3.1 UV LED light strips
We mainly use 394-405nm UV-A led strip lights, the wavelength of UV LED strip can be customized, flexible in use, with adhesive backing, can be pasted on uneven places, easy to install. And the UV strip light can be cut according to the size you need. 5V, 12V, or 24V low voltage power input, low energy consumption.
3.2 UV LED tube light
The low-voltage 5V 0.5m long linear LED UV tube light is suitable for fixed installation and can be installed on straight and flat surfaces such as cabinets, shelves, etc.
3.3 UV LED wall washer lights
UV LED wall wash light covers the wall with UV light, illuminates the blacklight objects on the wall, and produces a uniform light distribution. The wall washer LED light is designed to be installed on the ground or ceiling and can illuminate the wall at different angles. Click here to know more about the led wall wash lights.
3.4 UV LED flood light
UV LED flood light can be rotated 180 degrees to best illuminate objects, IP66 waterproof, suitable for outdoor blacklight lighting.