Applications of SOLARMETER® 5.0 :

• Lamp UV Intensity and Aging
• Acrylic Shield Transmission
• Eye Wear UVB Block Comparison
• Window Film/Tint Transmission

Features and Benefits of SOLARMETER® 5.0 :

• Hand Held Integral Sensor
• Accurate Calibration
• NIST Traceable
• Compact and Durable
• LCD Readout

Sensor :

The  sensor  consists  of  a  GaAsP  photodiode  chip  and  a  UV  filter.  It  is completely  insensitive  to  visible  light  longer  than  400nm  and  infrared radiation because its spectral response only covers the UV region from 260-400nm.  Applications  include  solar  UV  detection  as  a  spectral  response  is well matched to the solar UV spectrum.

Meter Operation :

To operate your Solarmeter, aim the sensor window located on the top panel of the meter directly at a UV source. Press and hold push-button switch on face of unit. Am sensor window in top panel of meter directly at UV source. Note reading on LCD and record if considered.

Battery operation voltage is 9V down to 6.5V. Below 6.5V the LCD numbers will  begin  to  dim, indicating  the  need  for  a  battery  replacement.  Under “typical” service load, the battery should last about 2 years.

Proper Usage of Solarmeter® Ultraviolet Meter for Lamp Aging Tests :

• Wear eye protection when checking UV lamps (Glasses that provide wrap around protection are ideal).
• Allow lamps to warm-up prior to taking readings (at least 5 minutes).

Lamp Aging :

• When checking lamp aging, make sure to use the same location and distance to ensure accurate readings.
• Lamps should be replaced when output drops to about 70% of their original (new) readings.

Curing Lamps :

• For curing lamps, hold the meter at the distance you intend your work piece to be cured.

Tanning Lamps :

• To  take  the  overall  reading  at  the  center  of  the  tanning  bed,  place meter pointing up with canopy closed.
• To  take  individual  lamp  readings,  hold  the  meter  against  the  acrylic with canopy open.
• If you are unsure of original lamp values, replace two adjacent lamps identical new ones and compare.
• This  meter  is  primarily  “seeing”  the  UVA  “browning”  rays.  For erythemal readings use Model 7.0 MED/hr meter.

Acrylic Testing :

• For  acrylic  testing,  take  readings  with  and  without  acrylic  at  a  fixed distance. Model 6.0 is best for acrylic tests.

General :

• When  comparing  different  types  of  lamps  consider  readings  to  be relative rather than absolute.
• Lamps that peak near 365 nm (newer designs) will read higher than lamps that peak near 350 nm.
• Do not subject the meter to extremes in temperature, humidity, shock or dust.
• Use a dry, soft cloth to clean the instrument. Keep sensor free of oil, dirt, etc.

Specifications :

Irradiation Range : 0-199.9 mW/cm² Total UV
Response : 280-400nm (UVB through UVA)
Resolution : 0.1 mW/cm²
Conversion Rate : 3.0 Readings/Sec
Display : 3.5 Digit LCD
Digit Size : 0.4 inch high
Operation Temperature : 32° F to 100° F
Operation Humidity : 5% to 80% RH
Accuracy : ±5% to NIST Ref. Meter
Dimensions : 4.2L x 2.4W x 0.9D (in.)
Weight : 4.5 OZ (incl. batt.)
Power Source : 9-Volt DC Battery
Lens : UVT Acrylic Diffuser

Ordering Information :

Model 5.0 : UVA & UVB Radiometer

Solarmeter® is Solar Light Company Inc.'s brand of specialty hand-held light meters. We are the industry leader in the design and manufacture of UV and Visible Light radiometers for measuring lamp irradiance vs aging, as well as other related applications serving the indoor tanning industry, window film tint measurement, outdoor UV Index measurement, UV curing, reptile and sterilization lamp measurement, red/blue light phototherapy, LED measurement, and photovoltaic (PV) solar irradiance metrology. These meters provide long term accurate measurements for both low and high intensity lamp systems, in order to enable output and aging determination. They also measure solar irradiance.

Since 1991, well over 30,000 of these hand-held digital meters have been produced and sold worldwide.

Each Solarmeter® radiometer model comes complete with a carrying case and instruction brochure. Models 4.0 through 9.6 include a NIST-traceable Calibration Certificate, while Model 10.0 includes a WRR-traceable Calibration Certificate.

Generally, lamps need replacement when their output declines 30% (falls below 70% of their new values.) This may occur after anywhere from a few hundred to >1000 hours of use, depending on many various factors. The only way to know for sure is to monitor irradiance with a meter!

The current Solarmeter® models are summarized here:

Please be sure to visit all the pages on this site to learn more about each specific model.

Solar Light Company, Inc. is recognized worldwide for over 50 years as America's premier manufacturer of precision ultraviolet light sources, solar simulators, and radiometers. Our standard line of UV, visible, and IR radiometers and light meters measure laboratory, industrial, environmental, and health related light levels with NIST traceable accuracy. Column ozone, aerosol, and water vapor thickness measurements, in addition to long-term global ultraviolet radiation studies all over the world are performed using our atmospheric line of instrumentation. Solar Light also provides NIST traceable spectroradiometric analyses, calibrations for light meters and light sources, OEM instrumentation and monitors, and accelerated ultraviolet radiation degradation testing of materials.

Solarmeter® is a registered trademark of Solar Light Company, Inc.