LED Modules with UVC light for Disinfection

Professional Nichia UVC & UVA LED systems for Disinfection and Sterilization of Bacteria and Viruses (including COVID-19)

High performance UVC LED disinfection and sterilization light for industrial and professional applications

Disinfection with ultraviolet radiation from LEDs has the potential to become the most widespread, practical, safe and affordable method of killing viruses and bacteria on surfaces, in the air or water. Violet visibile light has also been found to be effective in larger doses that are balanced by the lower system cost.

Ultraviolet radiation damages the DNA of viruses and bacteria, preventing their multiplication and effectively killing them off. Disinfection and sterilization with UV radiation is a proven science fact by numerous studies made in the last 20 years. A compilation of more than 400 studies can be found on our website.

Viruses such as COVID-19,  SARS, MERS,  H1N1 and all others can be eliminated from surfaces, air or water with UV radiation. All bacteria will have the same fate, even the antibiotic resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonela or E.coli.

UV radiation explained:

UV radiation has three sub intervals:

  • UVC with a wavelength from 100 to 280 nm
  • UVBwith a wavelength from 280 to 315 nm
  • UVAwith a wavelength from 315 to 400 nm
Spectrum of light and UV radiation

UVC radiation from our sun is blocked by the our planet's atmosphere and no living organism, have protection from it. For this reason it is very effective in killing viruses or bacteria in every application. However, LEDs or lamps with UVC radiation must be used with great care as tiny doses can damage the human skin or eyes. 

UVA radiation is present in daylight, people are exposed to it every day outside in the sunlight. There is a natural protection and many ways to increase it further. Viruses and bacteria are microorganisms and their protection is substantially weaker. Thus, higher doses of UVA could be used to safely disinfect surfaces or objects.

How UV radiation is blocked by Ozone Layer

This is the concept behind continuous disinfection: UVA light fixtures that function up to 8 hours per day with radiation exposure tuned to be safe for people but deadly for viruses and bacteria, can be permanently installed in hospitals, commercial centers, offices and even homes. 

UVC disinfection has much more limited application. It is mostly made by Robots using gas lamps that roam around empty spaces inside hospitals, airports and even buses.  However, they always need to be controlled by authorized and highly skilled personal, as UVC is very dangerous, eyes or skin can get damaged in less than one minute.

 


 

 

Methods of disinfection with UVC and UVA LEDs:

Fixtures with UVA LEDs can be installed in the ceiling, on the walls or in furniture elements to disinfect work places in hospitals, shops or homes, such as counters, tables tops, sinks, toilets, medical equipment and much more.

A compact lamp or strip with UVC LEDs can kill pathogens on objects such medical devices and tools, surgical N95 masks, kitchen taps, door knobs, smartphones, tablets or car keys. Commercial and business applications include ventilation, escalator handles or water treatment.  

 

How disinfection with UV LEDs can be achieved:

  • Ultra rapid disinfection after less than 1 minute with UVC LEDs at 270-280 nm for objects, water or small areas, where people are not present.  Due to present limitations of radiant power of UVC LEDs only areas of relative small size can be rapidly disinfected, from short distances.
  • Rapid disinfection after less than 10 minutes with UVC LEDs, for work places, vehicles, and objects, when people are not present.
  • Continuous disinfection with UVA 365 nm LEDs with a recommended irradiance of 3W/m2, maximum 10W/ m2,  for up to 8 hours per day for work places, objects or rooms, while people are present.
  • Continuous disinfection with UVA 385 nm LEDs with a recommended irradiance of 4.5W/m2 , for more than to 8 hours per day for work places, objects or rooms, when people are not present.
  • Continuous disinfection with violet 405 nm LEDs with a recommended irradiance of 6W/m2, maximum 10W/ m2,  for at least 8 hours per day for work places, or rooms, where people can be present.

Information about the effectiveness and the application of the above disinfection methods can be found in numerous research papers backed by solid scientific evidence. A summary of some of these papers with links to their full versions, as well as a general explanation about types of UV light and its application for disinfection can be found in our article at this link.

 

How UV disinfection can be deployed

1. Ultra rapid disinfection with UVC LEDs:

LED modules installed in compact linear fixtures, spotlights or irradiation boxes, with lens, driver, timer and presence sensor.

2. Rapid disinfection with UVC LEDs:

Similar setup as above but with lower radiant power for budgetary or other considerations. Example: a 200mW UVC LED strip is used instead of a 1000mW  UVC LED strip. 

3. Continuous disinfection with 365 nm UVA:

Multiple UVA LEDs in modules or strips, installed on their own or in lighting fixtures placed on the ceiling, wall or in furniture elements. Current control via a LED driver is required to meet safety thresholds of maximum 10W/ mat a height of 1.9 m from the floor (maximum height of a most people).  Based on the distance between the fixture and the disinfection target and its size a lens system should be used.  For UVA LEDs without lens installed at room height of 2.5 meters the radiant power should approximately be 36 watt.

 A timer for maximum 8 hours use per day, such a smart driver with Casambi app control, or an on/off switch is also recommended.

4. Continuous disinfection with violet 405 nm LEDs:

Multiple violet LEDs in modules or strips, installed on their own or in lighting fixtures placed on the ceiling, wall or in furniture elements. Current control via a LED driver is required to meet safety thresholds of maximum 10W/ m2.  Based on the distance between the fixture and the disinfection target and its size a lens system should be used.  For violet LEDs without lens installed at room height of 2.5 meters the radiant power should approximately be in the range of 72 to 100 watt.

 A presence sensor, a timer for working at least 8 hours use per day (such a smart driver with Casambi app control) or an on/off switch is also recommended.

 

 

UVC LED disinfection systems from Nichia, global leader in LEDs:

Our new professional complete solution, designed and built in Germany, is the Violet UVC disinfection lamp with special optics and control system. Violet UVC uses the highest performance UVC LEDs to date to offer the most efficient disinfection and sterilization system with UVC light.

The Violet disinfection lamp is a complete disinfection solution that uses 12 Nichia 280nm NCSU334B LEDs for maximum radiant flux or Seoul Viosys 275nm LEDs for affordable performance. Depending on the application, there is also the choice between two connection and control methods:

  • Violet UVC lamp at constant voltage (48 V) with Dali Enabled control system included (Powercontroller V2)

  • Violet UVC lamp at constant current (450-1500mA) with driver and control system purchased separately

The Violet UVC lamp uses a cover with special UV-resistant optics Violet from LEDiL with a robust aluminum case, which is very easy to install with screws. In addition, the case houses the PowerController V2 (for the 48V version), a compact control unit that provides the user with options to enable safe operation of the module.

The circuit board in this linear module light is equipped with 12 UVC LEDs and three signal LEDs (red, green, blue).

The high-power version of the Violet UVC lamp uses the new NCSU334B UVC 280nm LEDs from world market leader Nichia with a total radiant flux of 882 mW while the mid-power is equipped with Seoul Viosys UVC 275nm LEDs with a total radiant flux of 192mW.

 Nichia is the LED market leader, with over 25% global market share and a long history of innovation and progress in performance. Nichia researchers invented the blue and then white LED, receiving the Nobel Prize for this success.

 Nichia UVC and UVA LEDs are the most reliable, efficient and have the highest performance on the market.  With the Nichia UV LEDs in our offer it is possible to rapidly build a UV disinfection solution for use in the hospital, business, restaurant and even in the home.

We also offer a high performance, professional UVC LED strip on an aluminum board, equipped with 12 UVC LEDs in two power levels.

In addition, the optics are available separately. Constant current (450 mA / 1050 mA) is required for operation.

This solution is also primarily aimed at the medical, commercial and industrial sectors.

The UVC LEDs from Seoul Viosys of the mid-power version achieve a radiant flux at 275nm of 264 mW for maximum current. The high-power version with Nichia NCSU334B 280nm LEDs achieves a sensational radiation power of 1176 mW at a current of 1500 mA.

UVA LED disinfection solutions from Nichia, global leader in LEDs:

With UVA LEDs a new disinfection method can be easier to implement on large scale: continuous disinfection.

  Continuous disinfection: UVA radiation functioning for 8 hours, daily. Safe for people*. Will kill up to 99% of viruses and bacteria.  

*Irradiance limited to 10W/mat 2 meters height from the floor.

 Continuous disinfection efficiency confirmed by studies**:

"<8 hours & 3W/m2:  up to 99% eradication of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli12”

"<8 hours & 3W/m2: up to 99% eradication of MRSA, Candia auris, virus Phi X174 ,virus MS-213”

**details in the article at this link.

Ready to use UVA disinfection with PowerBar V3

Our 365nm PowerBar with Nichia UV LEDs has a total radiant flux of more than 12000 mW and can easily be made into a continuous disinfection light source with the compatible heatsink and accessories. The module is also available with violet light.

PowerBar UVA LED Module, 12.1W UVA output, 31W power intput, 12 Nichia LEDS

PowerBar UVA LED Module, 12.1W UVA output, 31W power intput, 12 Nichia LEDS

Driver, Control and Lens for PowerBar

Based on the distance and size of the target area, high precision UV lens can be used with the heatsink.

The Casambi enabled Power Controler and compatible LED driver for current limitation offer the option of time and intensity control required for the continuous disinfection method. If rapid disinfection is to be used, a presence sensor must be installed to turn of the UV light source when people are present.

Multiple possibilities of UVA & UVC disinfection with our easy to use PCB LED Modules

With star or square PCB modules with one 280nm or 365nm Nichia LED you can design and easily build your disinfection device, from large multiplied fixtures to small spotlights. Radiant flux ranges for UVC start from 55mW while in UVA from 300mW to 1450mW, based on the LED. The compatible lens and drivers add to the ease of building a lighting fixture for continuous disinfection or rapid disinfection.

Technical support for building your UV disinfection system

We can recommend the components to build a disinfection system for your application. Please contact us for details on your project.  As an example, for surface disinfection we will provide a estimation of the UV light sources and components required based on the surface area and distance from to the UV LEDs.

 

Important information:

  • Safety precautions when using UV light sources must be respected, as detailed in  IEC Standard 62471:2006, ‘Photobiological Safety of Lamps and Lamp Systems’, EU-Directive-2006-25-EC or the applicable standard for your country
  • We are not responsible for the damage, on the health of well-being or to property for the incorrect use of UV light sources
  • For killing viruses or bacteria with UV, they must be directly exposed to the radiation. Dirt and other impurities that shade the microorganisms will severely limit the effectiveness of UV disinfection
  • UV disinfection is only one of the weapons to fight virus and bacteria. Personal hygiene (washing of hands), not touching the face, using disinfection on dirty surfaces must also be practiced when fighting COVID-19 or any other pandemic.
  • The percentage of the disinfection for any given virus or bacteria on a surface, object, in the air, water or on clothes is depended on the type of pathogen, the wavelength of the UV radiation, its irradiance in Watts/m2 and the time of exposure, measured in seconds, minutes or hours.
  • 100% disinfection is not guaranteed. Similarly, no vaccine, medicine or surgical procedure is 100% effective. UV radiation will just reduce the chance contamination of surface, air or objects with viruses or bacteria cause a disease
  • Examples of combination of wavelength, radiance and exposure time for some common pathogens are found in the article in our blog
  • The examples in the article are extracted from the research papers quoted at the article end. We are not responsible for the results and effects of UV disinfection from following the information presented in the article or on any page on our websites.

Violet LED disinfection solutions from Nichia, global leader in LEDs:

With the Nichia violet LEDs in our offer it is possible to rapidly build a more affordable disinfection solution with the highest performing LEDs on the market, for use in the hospital, business, restaurant and even in the home. 

Violet light is safe for the eyes or skin and it does not damage materials. However, it is visible light and affects the color rendering of the lighting installation. For this reason we recommend it is used when people are not present in the space. Recommended irrandaince level is 6W/m2 on work areas for at least 8 hours per day.