Ultraviolet Spectrum

  • Abbreviated as "UV". The band of radiation that spans wavelengths from 100 to 400 nanometers (nm).
  • The International Commission on Illumination (CIE) divides the UV band as follows:
    UVA
    315-400 nm
    UVB
    280-315 nm
    UVC
    100-280 nm
  • The UV Spectrum can be divided by practical application:
    Ozone-producing
    180-220 nm
    Germicidal
    220-300 nm
    Erythemal (skin reddening)
    280-320 nm
    Black light
    320-400 nm
 

Units of Measurement

  • "Measurement" and "unit of measurement" are often confused. Length, current, wavelength and luminous flux are examples of measurements while feet, amps and lumens are the respective examples of units of those measurements. This can just become a hair-splitting issue in practice though and so for the sake of convenience (and room) both will just be listed together.
  • The actual unit of measurement is not capitalized unless it begins a sentence or is used in normally capitalized material such as a title. Values on the Celsius and Fahrenheit scales, which are measurements of temperature, are stated in degrees which isn't capitalized. However, Celsius and Fahrenheit are measurements whose names are derived from proper names. Because the kelvin measurement does not use a separate unit such as a degree and so is the unit and thus is not capitalized.
  • The most common units of measurement used in the lighting industry:
      Category
      Estimate of how often you will use the unit
      Estimate of how often you will use the unit
      compared to others in same section (10 = most)

    • Electrical measurements

      Capacitance (microfarad, μF)
      1
      ballast (capacitors)
      Crest Factor (ratio)
      2
      ballast
      Current (amp, A, [ampere])
      7
      bulb, ballast, transformer, accessory
      Frequency (hertz, H)
      5
      bulb, ballast
      Total Harmonic Distortion (%)
      1
      ballast
      Volt-Amp (VA)
      1
      electrical system load
      Voltage (volt, V)
      10
      bulb, ballast, transformer, accessory
      Wattage (watt, W)
      10
      bulb, ballast, transformer, accessory

    • Dimensions

      Eighth-inch (diameter)
      10
      bulb
      Inch
      7
      all
      Millimeter
      4
      all

    • Temperature

      Celsius (°C)
      1
      all
      Fahrenheit (°F)
      6
      all
      In practice kelvin is not used in lighting to measure actual temperature.

    • Light (Photometric) Measurements

      Candlepower
      1
      bulb
      Color Temperature (kelvin)
      10
      bulb
      Color Rendering Index (0-100)
      8
      bulb
      Footcandle
      3
      bulb
      Lumen (unit of luminous flux)
      7
      bulb
      Luminous Intensity (candela)
      1
      bulb
      Lux
      1
      bulb
      Mean Spherical Candlepower
      1
      bulb
      Wavelength (nanometer)
      6
      bulb
 

UV-block Coating

A coating on a light source added for example to the outer surface, the cover material, or the inner capsule that is designed to block the transmission of ultraviolet. This can also be accomplished on fluorescent bulbs by using a special UV sleeve.