UV Lamps: Everything you wanted to know about

Ir. Sugeng Endarsiwi (Printing Ink Manufacture)

 

In order to find out more about UV and how it works, I went to an expert who has been

working with UV technology for over 20 years, Norm Fitton, President of Anniversary UV.

Most printers buy UV systems, which may be supplied by the manufacturer of the equipment

but made by someone else. Understanding how UV lamps work can improve their

performance and save you money.

There are different types of UV lamps for different applications. Low-pressure UV lamps

may be used for disinfecting purposes, curing nails and dental fillings, or water purification.

The type of lamp used in printing applications is usually a medium-pressure, linear (straight

tubes), mercury vapor arc lamp. Medium-pressure UV lamps cure inks and coatings instantly.

It is a photochemical, not a heat process. It allows the equipment to run at very high speeds

for extended periods.

General-use light bulbs have a filament. The electricity causes the filament to glow,

producing light. Medium-pressure UV lamps do not have a filament. They utilize a high voltage charge to ionize a mercury/gas mixture in the lamp, creating a plasma that emits UV

light. This system requires a high-voltage/amperage power supply (typically a magnetic

ballast transformer with a high-voltage capacitor bank). The ballast is wired in series with the

lamp and performs two functions. Initially, the ballast provides a high voltage charge to

‘strike’ or ‘ionize’ the mercury. Then, once the mercury is ionized, the ballast reduces the

voltage and amperage required to keep the mercury ionized and emit a stable stream of UV

light.

These lamps generate a specific wavelength to cure the inks or coatings. Currently, most of

these lamps operate at 300 to 600 watts per inch, with some newer systems using lamps that

generate up to 1000 watts per inch. So a 30-inch UV bulb may be capable of an output of

30,000 watts. They also operate at very high temperatures (850 to 950 Celsius or 1550 to

1750 Fahrenheit).

Here are some things you can do to increase the life and performance of your lamps.

1. Make sure lamps are run at the proper operating temperature with an even flow of air

or water over the entire tube. Adjust fan speeds by season if necessary to maintain

proper temperature. If the system is also water-cooled, as a general rule of thumb, the

water temperature should be maintained as close to 72 degrees as possible.

2. Clean lamps weekly with alcohol on a clean cotton cloth to reduce contamination.

Don’t rub too hard.

3. Check and change filters in the cooling system regularly to make sure they are not

clogged.

4. Rotate the lamps a quarter turn in the same direction each week.

Karawang, October 28, 2025