Today, there are several use cases for lamp driver technology, from UV Disinfection to curing applications. Likewise, there are numerous customer demands that must be met for lamp drivers to suit their specific application needs. This is where Nedap’s UniMulti lamp driver excels, showcasing its strengths.
The UniMulti lamp driver entered production in 2010 and was designed to plug the gap in the market for projects requiring lamp power ranging from 60W to 440W. This driver can operate in two configurations: four lamps operating at 220W each or two lamps at 440W, providing a UV power supply of 880W. It is compatible with four voltage levels, enabling versatile configurations based on the lamps used alongside it.
Photo: The bare PCB of the UniMulti is placed in its fixture and it is ready to be tested.
Flexibility is at the heart of the UniMulti and its series of drivers. The UniMulti is genuinely universal and can be used effectively in multiple applications. In response to customer demands, Nedap recently introduced a new version of the UniMulti driver with an extended input voltage range. The lamp driver now supports the North American standard input voltage of 120Vac, providing even more applications for this exciting technology.
Nedap worked with lamp manufacturers when designing the UniMulti driver to ensure optimal settings and practical application. For example, we know conventional lamps need to be preheated before ignition. The current and duration required for filament preheating is determined on a per-manufacturer, per-type, and per-lamp basis. These settings can all be pre-programmed into the UniMulti driver’s microprocessor, ensuring the best performance with any commercially available lamp type. Customers are provided with a lamp ID, which they can use to manage the driver’s performance for each lamp.
The UniMulti driver offers incredible functionality but remains simple to use and can be paired easily. The unit has a staff plug (a small RJ45 connector) that prompts the driver to start automatically when input power is applied.
Customers have praised the UniMulti driver’s ability to capture data. The driver can be controlled and monitored by Modbus serial communication or analog signals. Operators can collect information on the lamp behaviour, driver behaviour or ballast. Using the information, they can rapidly identify issues with lamps while monitoring power, voltage, or current. The UniMulti driver is designed to give users the information they need to optimise operations. It’s UV technology that combines visibility and versatility.
The driver has UL and cUL approval for use in the USA and Canada and has been designed to meet the regulatory demands of today and the future. Its high energy efficiency standards make it a sustainable choice for all operators.
We’re continuing to invest in the development of the UniMulti driver series. Working closely alongside customers and lamp manufacturers, we’re already developing the next generation of innovative lamp driver technologie
Operators want greater intelligence from their lamp drivers, and the UniMulti lamp driver can provide it. It’s the industry-standard lamp driver for specialist applications.
Photo: The UniMulti is a lightweight lamp driver. A total of 6 UniMulti units are securely placed in a well-protected cardboard box during production.
We had the pleasure of sitting down with Jürgen Bomers to learn more about his role at Nedap and his remarkable journey as an engineer. This is his story!
What do you do at Nedap?
I’m a test/proto engineer and my job involves working on product development before those products hit the production line. I get to delve into the functions of these products and make sure they are up to scratch before they go into full-scale production. It’s all about testing and ensuring that the products meet the necessary requirements.
Getting my job at Nedap was quite a fascinating journey and certainly an interesting one. I grew up in Groenlo, where Nedap is located. Every time I rode my bicycle around town, I would see the name “Nedap” and it would always intrigue me. I didn’t really know what Nedap did, but I had this strong feeling that it was where I wanted to work.
During my LBO study, I thought that when I graduated I was going to stop studying and directly work in the field of insulation. One day on the way to my internship I had a bike accident. This accident was in the middle of the winter and my internship was in a closed space without windows. This situation made me realise that stopping my education right there was not the path that I wanted to pursue.
Later on while studying my MBO, I had the opportunity to visit Nedap as part of a company visit organised by my school. It was my first real introduction to the company and I instantly liked it!
I decided to do my internship at Nedap, and after that, I never left the company. I started in the service department, specifically working for power supplies on repairs. After years of working, I made the decision to go back to school, this time to pursue higher education at an HBO level.
It’s been a journey of curiosity, exploration, and continuous learning that led me to my position at Nedap (it’s been 26 years!).
What I really enjoy about Nedap is the people I get to work with. One thing that sets Nedap apart from other companies is the diverse range of tasks I get to tackle. Unlike other businesses where you might be limited to just software work, here I have the opportunity to work on both software and electronics. I find it exciting that I can get hands-on with soldering and problem-solving. It keeps things interesting and allows me to learn and grow in different areas!
My mantra is do what you like. I believe you are in the right place if you are where you want to be. That is why I have been working for Nedap for so long.
When I was growing up my initial dream was to travel to the USA and pursue a career related to electronics. However, I ended up falling in love and my priorities shifted. I made the decision to stay in Groenlo, and my aspirations took a different direction.
I take pride in the journey I’ve been on with Nedap. Being part of the team brings me a great sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. Moreover, my biggest source of pride is my wonderful family. They are my support system and the reason behind all my motivation.
In my free time I run my own business (www.iFIXpoint.nl) where I fix iPhones, laptops, and other electronics.It’s a different gig from my work at Nedap, but it’s still within the realm of electronics, which is along the lines of my passion for electronics. One thing I take pride in when it comes to my business is my commitment to sustainability. Instead of tossing out components, I prefer to reuse and repurpose them whenever possible.
I have some other hobbies; I absolutely love going for rides in my car and on my bike. I also enjoy maintenance; I like ensuring both my car and bike stay in tip-top shape. And while this might not be a hobby as such – nothing beats quality time with my family. They mean the world to me, and I cherish every moment I get to spend with them!
Note: The phone in the picture is one of the first iPhones!
Previously, we explored the emerging developments around UV legislation and standardisation and what they are likely to mean for UV businesses. In this follow-up article, we’ll take a closer look at how the regulatory landscape should evolve to create a conducive environment for further innovation.
Today, UV-C LED disinfection has several use cases, notably for air and surface cleaning, as well as water treatment. However, although the use of UV for disinfection dates back over a century, the regulatory environment around the technology stays immature. Fragmentation persists significantly across geography, industry and utility.
Looking ahead to 2023, there is a need for standards to simplify UV-C legislation to foster further innovation around UV-C LED air disinfection and other germicidal applications. A lack of standards and regulations for these applications affects the adoption and market trust in innovative technologies. In this article, we delve into the outlook for 2023 and beyond by exploring the potential implications and advancements in this field
Taking a forward-looking approach, there are discussions around changing standardisation rules for medium-pressure UV lamps, as well as greater standardisation planned for municipal LED applications. Translating these discussions into legislation will take time, but it is key for businesses to proactively stay informed about the current trajectory at the earliest opportunity.
At the ICULTA 2023 in Berlin, new upcoming GUV (germicidal ultraviolet) Guidelines and standards for air disinfection were presented as ‘under development’:
ASHREA GPC 37 – Guidelines for the application of upper-air UV-C devices to control the transmission of airborne pathogens
ASHREA 185.3 – Method of testing in-room devices and systems for microorganisms or inactivation in a chamber.
NALMCO – Creating a newly standardized curriculum and certification protocols for GUV devices maintenance staff, installation technicians and system designers in the field.
For UV-C water disinfection, there are upcoming test standards for the use of UV LEDs in public drinking water disinfection. Official drafts are planned to be released at end of 2023:
DIN 19294-1 (published)/ DIN 19294-2 (planned end 2023)
Testing of Composition, Function and Disinfection Effectiveness for (LP) Low Pressure UV devices and (MP) Medium Pressure UV devices.
DIN 19294-3 (published) / DIN 19294-4 (planned end 2023)
Reference radiometers for LP and MP UV devices
DIN 19294 – 5 (DRAFT planned end 2023) Devices for the disinfection of water using devices equipped with UV LEDs – requirements and testing – Research project DINoLED project
The goal of the DINoLED project is the development of a DIN draft standard for UV LED-based water disinfection devices in public drinking water treatment (point-of-entry and point-of-use devices are not considered in the standard). The DINoLED project is funded by the German Federal ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy and it is the result of a cooperation between several UV companies (Xylem, OSRAM) and educational institutes such as Technologiezetrum Wasser.
In terms of UV LED products, a clear distinction between regulation and validation should be kept front of mind. Regulation sets parameters that UV technologies must adhere to, while validation provides companies with the means to decide whether they are working within those parameters.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, air disinfection has received a major push forward. Innovative technologies like LED and UV are now more common and better known. In the US, threshold limit values (TLVs) supply recommendations around biological exposure to UV radiation. All radiation below 250 nm has different TLV standards, with exposure limits being much higher than they were previously. A study on far-UVC at 222nm, published in Nature Scientific Reports (2022), showed that it efficiently inactivates airborne pathogens. This research also showed that 222nm devices are safe for human skin and eyes.
Image: Study presented by David Brenner at ICULTA conference (Columbia University) showing the effects of FAR UVC to skin
Currently, most of the responsibility around the design, production and operational quality is with the manufacturer of UV-C LED disinfection solutions. The current lack of clarity around regulations and guidelines means that many manufacturers are simply taken on their word. Compliance is promoted through marketing claims, which may or may not be verifiable.
UV validation brings confidence, making it crucial for manufacturers to test and validate their systems. While clear standards exist for water disinfection, challenges arise when it comes to new LED technology such as UV-C LED. This is primarily due to variations in validation requirements across applications and the power variability of current LEDs. These variations depend on the LED manufacturer, product, drive current and temperature. Adding to the complexity is the fact that current LED datasheets are rarely representatives of the ‘real-world’ performance. Thus, to obtain reliable data, it becomes necessary to measure system performance in operation.
The opportunities of UV-C LED systems and their applications are being explored by the industry. There are many challenges to overcome, such as the power efficiency, costs and reliability. At Nedap, our LED driver technology can support testing and validation of UV-C LED solutions, supplying data insights and full control of the power supply. Our smart driver technology is designed to suit current regulations, with an eye on future developments. Get in touch with us to find out how our UV technology can help you navigate the current regulatory landscape, with a design that prioritises both validation and standardisation.
To make the Unimulti Lamp Driver more universally applicable, the input voltage range has been extended. This new version now also supports the North American standard input voltage of 120Vac.
Sustainability is one of the biggest challenges facing businesses today, and solutions such as Nedap’s driver technology hold the key to tackling the issue head–on.
Nedap UV drivers with high Power Factor and low THD, reduce up to 97% of the power grid losses, compared to others in the industry. This adds up to the 2% energy saving due to the high efficiency of the Nedap lamp driver itself.
Sustainability is an increasingly important factor for consumers, investors and businesses alike. According to research, 85% of investors considered environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) factors in their decisions (Gartner, 2020). Nowadays, 85% of global consumers said they have shifted towards a more sustainable buying behavior in the past five years (Business Wire, 2021). Embracing sustainability is not only necessary but can also boost profits by as much as 60% through efficiency improvements (McKinsey, 2020). Companies may want to boost their sustainability credentials, but they need to do so in a way that not only doesn’t impact productivity negatively but can improve it too. The key to doing this is having the right technology in place. This is where Nedap’s driver technology comes in.
Ultra violet (UV) low and medium–pressure lamps are crucial components for water treatment and curing applications. The lamp drivers that power these UV lamps, can have a positive influence on the overall sustainability of the system. For instance, choosing well specified drivers with regard to efficiency, Power Factor and THD, specially at high power installations. Implementing high quality drivers reduces the carbon footprint of purification plants or curing equipment significantly.
Image: Overheated neutral
We often see systems that use electricity in a way that is not always best compatible with conventional power grids, and this can cause additional losses. The impacts of lower Power Factor and higher harmonic currents and voltages, are increased losses in power from infrastructure such as transformers and power lines, as well as overheating and degradation of conductors, insulating material and other connected equipment.
Image: Thermal images show uneven heating in the windings of a Three Phase Step-down Transformer due to Harmonics.
But not only do these compatibility issues lead to less efficiency in the short term. As more power is consumed than should have been otherwise necessary, it also gives components a shorter lifespan. It means they have to be replaced sooner. This is both unfavorable for the environment and for a company’s profits.
It is for this reason that increasing the efficiency and lower the THD of UV lamp drivers is vital to helping regulate this use of power, leading to greater efficiency in the way electricity is consumed while also extending the lifespan of components. This has long been the ambition of many manufacturers, but the driver technology has not always been up to the task. Nedap has changed all that.
Committing to sustainability is not just a moral and financial imperative for companies, it is something they will increasingly have to adhere to in order to comply with legislation. The European Commission has introduced the corporate directive as part of the EU’s Green New Deal, which aims to make the EU carbon neutral by 2050. On 5 January 2023 the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) entered into force in Europe. This directive requires companies to report on how sustainability issues impact their business and how their operations affect people and the planet.
In 2022, the UK also enacted two mandatory disclosure laws, that require certain companies to provide climate-related financial disclosures in their strategic report. Similarly, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has also proposed new rules to enhance the regulatory framework for disclosures.
Moreover, the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) has passed a vote on new global climate and sustainability disclosure rules, which will come into effect in 2024. And while it will be up to individual jurisdictions or countries to decide whether the standards should be mandatory, the ISSB has said it will push for them to be adopted globally.
These developments illustrate that sustainability will be one of the defining issues facing companies in the coming years, and it is no longer something that can be avoided.
Nedap’s driver technology combines high efficiency power conversion with peerlesscontrol for optimized UV output and lamp life. Recommended by major UV lamp manufacturers, Nedap’s drivers power lamps effectively, providing solutions for low–pressure and medium–pressure, and LED lamps. Nedap’s lamp drivers also provideflexible stepless dimming to help build more energy–efficient systems that provide a significant boost to the environment.
Intelligent solutions for low pressure UV lamps combine high-efficiency electrical power to UV conversion with intelligent controls and pre-programmed lamp characteristic settings for optimal lamp life, as well as for HO- and Amalgam lamps.
Nedap’s technology has been used in New York City’s largest UV drinking water purification plant, which provides 8.3 billion liters of clean water to the more than nine million inhabitants each day. In this plant 12,000 240 W Low pressure UV lamps are powered by Nedap –Assuming 50% of the lamps are on at 80% power–. An increase of 5% efficiency in the UV lamp drivers equals 590.114 kWh reduction per year. This translates into a reduction of 118.028 kg in CO2 emissions and annual savings of $63,440 –Based on Industrial energy price of $ 0,1075 per kWh and € 0,150 per kWh–.
Medium pressure lamps are widely used in different industrial technologies such as printing for ink curing. Nedap’s extensive field of experience with a large number of lamp drivers paired with medium-pressure lamps has proven high product reliability and increased lamp life. Additionally, these lamp drivers also help UV system integrators to create more sustainable solutions by reducing the loss in power grids.
For instance, if a UV printer has a total lamp power of 129,6 kW (6 lamps of 21,6 kw) and operates 4000 hours annually, the total power draw should be 518,400 kWh (129,6 x 4000). But because low Power Factor (as low as 0,8) and high THD (measured 60%) in low quality lamp drivers cause power grid losses, an additional 45,562 kWh is lost every year due to low cost and “under-specified lamp drivers”.
When using Nedap drivers with high Power Factor (0,99) and low THD (5%), we reduce the losses with 97% to just 1082 kWh. –Based on an average of 8% power loss of power grid worldwide–. The 44.480 kWh energy saving by Nedap technology equals 9.000 kg CO2 reduction a year.
Currently the only loss in energy that resembles a financial loss as well for the user of the printer, is the energy efficiency of the driver itself. In this case €2,933 is saved every year by using Nedap lamp drivers with 2% better efficiency.
For curing applications, LED UV lights are used more and more. Also in these systems it’s important to be aware of the negative influence that a poor Power Factor can have on sustainability of operations. Especially when the LED’s are dimmed, the Power Factor Can decrease, causing more losses.
Nedap offers a modular system that realizes power supplies from 1500W up to 6kW for UV LED curing systems. These units can be externally set for Voltage- or current control. Output voltages up to 120Vdc offer series operation of LED modules.
Nedap supplied the lamp drivers for the UV wastewater purification plant in Chicago. As one of the largest UV waste water installations in the world, the plant can treat 1,700 million liters of wastewater.
The Terrence J. O’Brien Water Reclamation Plant (WRP) in Skokie, Illinois was upgraded with an UV treatment process. The system substantially improved the quality of water throughout the Chicago Area Waterway System, while protecting the region’s drinking water supply in Lake Michigan.
The patented Nedap technology is used to power the 900 state of the art low pressure high output UV lamps, in the most efficient way.
- Low number of UV lamps required
- Energy saving
- Ease of operation and maintenance
- Extended lamp life, reduction of waste
In the end, the decisive factor was our approach to energy consumption, especially our low-energy solution. This not only saves a great deal of money, but no less importantly, also reduces CO2 emissions, emphasizing Nedap’s focus on focus on more sustainable operation.
Most efficient UV driver technology
After investigating various approaches and technologies, officials determined that UV was the optimal solution for the plant and application. A low total cost of ownership and the fact that, with UV, there are no by-products to worry about were key factors in the decision. Nedap’s Low Pressure Lamp Drivers have a proven efficiency of at least 95%.
Full control with Nedap software
Dedicated Nedap software can be used by engineers to test the electronic platform and to fine tune the UV lamp settings in relation to the required UV levels. The embedded software has a diagnose functionality to report about lamp status, lamp failure, lamp driver temperature and other system operations. A perfect solution to improve the implementation processes and to reduce installation costs and time.
NR. 1 technology
Most efficient driver technology, requires less installation space. >900.000 electronic UV lamp drivers installed and in use worldwide.
Flexibility
Digital lamp selection and optimisation.
Reliable
Robust designs, resulting in optimal performance and an average service life of > 10 years.
Insights
Embedded software for system data reporting.
UV disinfection and industrial curing are highly sustainable processes that reduce the use of chemicals. UVC has been used as far back as the 1930s, but the technology remains relevant today – and Nedap is increasing innovation in the sector.
New developments in curing and disinfection are accelerating the growth of the UV market. At Nedap, we support UV businesses to develop new applications and further optimize processes for more sustainable disinfection and curing.
- Electronic lamp driver technology that excels in quality and energy-efficiency
- Smart technology that can quickly be adopted and deployed
- Accessible data, information, and insights
An incredible 75% of the lifecycle costs of UV solutions are energy usage. Using energy-efficient UV lamp driver technology is a sustainable solution, reducing a user’s carbon footprint and cutting costs.
Advanced electronic driver technology offers manufacturers more control over the power input versus UV output. This makes UV solutions more efficient at disinfection or curing when compared to traditional magnetic ballast technology.
The new generation of platforms, such as Nedap’s 4kW, use a PC lamp driver tool that makes it easy to configure, control and monitor lamp driver data. This provides developers with more effective tools to test the lamp driver and the overall UV solution, optimizing it during the design phase.
Water disinfection systems typically operate 24/7, with downtime dramatically impacting productivity and the people who rely on the resource.
Current monitoring systems alert operators if a UV driver goes down but don’t diagnose faults. Instead, special measurement tools are often required on-site to diagnose problems which can rapidly increase costs and increase downtime.
Nedap’s solution provides real-time monitoring, alerts, diagnosis, and fault finding. Service engineers receive instant access to performance information and insights without disrupting the operational processes controlled by Modbus.
Rapid troubleshooting is critical to ensure minimal downtime.
Remote diagnostics can dramatically reduce travel costs and time. Our customers supply UV solutions worldwide, including some of its remotest places. Remote monitoring technology provides real-time insights whenever they need them, from anywhere in the world. The app is a critical first step toward accurate remote diagnostics.
To protect the security of systems, the Nedap UV lamp driver App ensures that data is only read from the connected lamp driver and no control and change of settings of the lamp driver is allowed. No connection to the Internet is needed to read data from the driver. The communication between the lamp driver and smart phone is local via a point-to-point wireless Bluetooth connection.
Every lamp driver has a unique 3D barcode. Scanning the barcode creates a connection between the smartphone and the lamp driver, displaying data and lamp graphs through the app.
The UV Monitor app will be available in the App Store and Google Play store from February 2023.
Nedap’s next-generation lamp driver platform has updated integrated software. This gives operators more data and control over settings and parameters compared to previous models. However, this can lead to more complexity. To make data relevant for users, it’s essential to provide easy access and deliver relevant insights. In this way, data leads to a more sustainable and cleaner operation.
Do you want to know more about how to use the Nedap UV Monitor app?
Use the form to contact us or download the manual (PDF)
Legislation and standardisation:
The impact on UV businesses for 2023 and beyond
Looking ahead to 2023, there are discussions around changing standardisation rules for medium-pressure UV lamps. It will take time before these developments are translated into legislation but it is important for businesses to be aware of the current trajectory.
This article was written in collaboration with Jürgen Zechner, owner of Conformity Experts and Product Compliance Officer for UV & LED system validation.
In Europe UV technologies have been used for drinking water disinfection since the 1950s. Even in the US, where they were adopted much later, the use of UV light for water treatment is now well established. Looking ahead to 2023, there are discussions around changing standardisation rules for medium-pressure UV lamps. It will take time before these developments are translated into legislation but it is important for businesses to be aware of the current trajectory.
What is the influence of regulation in the UV-C industry?
Any discussion of regulations as they pertain to UV-C technology must separate legislation and standardisation. On the legal side, there have not been many changes in recent years. While there were some alterations in terms of general requirements, driven largely by new EU directives, legislation aimed directly at UV-C has not been necessarily forthcoming.
Regulatory differences
In terms of standardisation, in the last couple of years, new validation standards have emerged in Europe. These include ÖNORM M 5873-1 and DIN 19294-1, standards that apply to UV water disinfection.
The recently issued ÖNORM and DIN standards provide more detailed criteria for UV lamps and ballasts. Today, it is possible to dim lamps with many UV systems, which is now tested under these new standards. As UV-C output can vary substantially when lamps are dimmed, it was important this was added as a factor within new validation standards.
In the US, meanwhile, the recently published “Innovative Approaches for Validation of Ultraviolet Disinfection Reactors for Drinking Water Systems” is the result of a four-year project looking at new approaches for UV dose monitoring and validation. The document provides a reference for new and enhanced validation methods developed since the publication of the UV Disinfection Guidance Manual (UVDGM), issued all the way back in 2006.
Another validation standard, NSF/ANSI 55, is also relatively new and serves as a residential protocol for proving the performance of UV equipment under specific conditions. In addition, there are also US validation guidelines applicable to UV technology suppliers operating in that market.
Furthermore, the revised EU Drinking Water Directive, which member states must transpose into national legislation by January 2023, promotes UV as an acceptable disinfection method for municipal water, providing water suppliers can demonstrate “that any approach to disinfection is robust and appropriate”.
Looking forward, we will see what impact the revised EU directive on drinking water will have. Under the new rules, water suppliers will have to conduct a risk assessment for their water treatment systems. If water suppliers take these legislative changes seriously, it will present a good opportunity for UV providers to increase business in the municipal area.
It is clear, therefore, that the current regulatory environment for UV-C light contains more than a few nuances that businesses should be aware of. As such, it is important that all OEMs test and validate their systems.
UV solutions are tailor-made to meet specific user needs for different applications. To validate these integrated systems, it’s important that different scenarios can be tested. Nedap lamp driver technology facilitates OEMs to test and validate their systems in four ways:
Our driver technology comes with integrated software that enables you to configure lamp driver settings in an easy way to test different custom settings and monitor performance.
For testing and validating UV systems, extensive dimming is used to simulate dirty UV Quartz sleeves. This makes testing easier, speeding up the inspection process.
Using a lamp driver that is already tested and certified for use in the European market (CE), and also approved for the US (UL) or Canadian (cUL) markets.
With over 30 years of experience, our engineers can help OEMs design power supply cabinets that protect against harsh environments, such as maritime and offshore, severe shock attenuation, wide temperature ranges, and horticulture, as well as food and pharmaceutical industries.
At Nedap, our validation is our added value. Our smart driver technology is designed to suit current regulations, with one eye on future developments. It delivers system efficiencies that you can trust, providing cost savings and sustainability benefits. Get in touch with us to find out how our UV technology can help you navigate the current regulatory minefield – designed with both validation and standardisation in mind.
Use the form to contact us or download the PDF version of the article.
How more sustainable operations helps create better profits
With rising energy costs, supply chain pressures and increased social interest in sustainable production, it’s more important than ever that the equipment you use high class perform while reducing your carbon footprint. By reducing the carbon footprint, businesses also save energy costs, which helps create better profits.
That’s where our technology comes in. When selecting an UV lamp driver, of course, the initial cost is a crucial consideration. End users must factor in the total cost of ownership – not simply the upfront cost of a lamp driver. The energy and maintenance costs need to be considered – longevity is key here. Using smart UV lamp driver technology helps to create a more sustainable operation, reducing carbon footprint and saving costs at the same time.
Parameters that determine the total costs over a longer period of time are:
Initial costs of the lamp driver and additional costs (for example line filters etc.)
Efficiency of the lamp driver
Price of industrial energy
Estimated operating hours of your application
Total lamp power that is used
Product lifetime
Based on benchmark research, UV systems with Nedap UV lamp drivers are up to 5% more energy efficient than other drivers in the market, due to higher Lamp driver efficiency, lower Total Harmonic distortion (THD) and higher Power Factor (PF). With the current energy prices, this results in substantial operational cost savings. Depending on the price of industrial energy, the operating hours per year, and the lamp power used (kW) you can calculate the energy savings for end-users of your application.
- Industrial energy price: $ 0,1075 per kwh and € 0,150 per kwh (August 2022)
- 6000 operating hours
- 5% efficiency increase
- 60 kW total lamp power
When the total lamp power in your application is 10 kW, a 5% efficiency increase results in 3500 kWh savings per year. If your UV application uses a total of 60 kW of lamp power, this results in 21,000 kWh (6x 3500) savings, and €3,160 (6x €526) or $2,262 (6x $377) per year . A reduction of 21,000 kW also equals a reduction of 4200 kg CO2 (source: European Environment Agency).
The initial price of your UV solution may be higher using a premium UV driver, but your customer will experience substantial energy costs savings. The payback period is the time between the initial investment date and break-even point, the moment you save money compared to a competitive product. This depends of course, very much on the UV application.
When defining the costs of UV solutions, consider how you can save costs by reducing the number of additional components you need.
Nedap offers drivers with:
Internal fuses
Low inrush current
Integrated components to fulfil EMC (EMI) and THD requirements
Heat detection sensors and integrated fan tray power supply (4kW rack)
Power factor correction
Ground fault detection (also in lamp idle mode for 800W and 2x1000W drivers)
First, your UV systems offer you more UV, due to better efficiency. Secondly, Nedap’s high-quality UV lamp driver increases the lifespan of UV lamps significantly – an important reason for all major lamp manufacturers to recommend Nedap’s lamp driver technology. Both features lead to a more sustainable operation.
Use the form to contact us or download the PDF version of the article.
UV applications offer optimal solutions for water treatment, air and surface disinfection, and curing. To operate UV lamps, lamp drivers, also called electronic ballasts are commonly used. Depending on lamp type, the drivers take care of pre-heat, ignition, and warm-up of the UV lamps. Selecting the right UV lamp driver can optimize efficiency, prevent mains power supply problems, and improve ease of installation. Far from simply acting as a lamp driver, it improves the total cost of ownership and sustainability of your application, and, as a result, its viable use cases.
When selecting a high-quality UV lamp driver, there are several aspects which must be considered. In many cases, these aspects may only become apparent after the lamp driver has been in use for some time – the difference between a high-quality UV lamp driver and a poor one is not immediately obvious. We’ve listed some important criteria below:
Image source: IUVA 2019 Sydney Nedap – Powering UV sources
Of course, the initial cost is a crucial consideration, but businesses must factor in the total cost of ownership – not simply the upfront cost of a lamp driver. The energy and maintenance costs need to be considered – longevity is key here.
Due to the importance of some of the use cases of UV applications, the reliability of lamps and their drivers is paramount. Poor reliability can affect the integrity of the UV system and the entire facility it is being used in.
A well-designed lamp driver will generate lower temperatures, which will reduce the failure rate of the driver. As a rule of thumb, every 10-degree temperature decrease doubles the lifetime of the driver.
Lamp drivers can introduce higher frequencies into the mains power line, disrupting the mains power. The higher frequencies can cause additional power losses by only generating unwanted heat in the power grid. Nedap drivers have special filters built into the UV driver to minimize the total harmonic distortion (THD).
This is determined by the “real power” you receive from the mains as opposed to the “apparent power”.For lamp drivers, or indeed any electronic device, businesses should look for a factor that is as close to one as possible. Nedap UV lamp drivers deliver a Power Factor of 0.99, while other designs may be as low as 0.7.
Lamp drivers are needed to regulate the power delivered to UV lamps so they can achieve the optimal UV level. Using the highest grade critical components will deliver higher levels of reliability. All Nedap drivers are CE and UL/cUL approved.
First, if your UV systems wastes less energy, due to better efficiency, it will have a smaller carbon footprint. Secondly, the Nedap high-quality UV lamp driver increases the lifespan of UV lamps significantly – an important reason for all major lamp manufacturers to recommend Nedaps lamp driver technology. Both features lead to a more sustainable operation.
The quality of UV lamp drivers is so important because of the critical nature of UV applications for various use cases. These include water treatment, air and surface disinfection, and UV curing.
UV light is an effective method for treating water by destroying bacteria and viruses. Intelligent UV lamp drivers can be used for efficient and eco-friendly applications. UV and advanced oxidation technologies are ideal for developing sustainable water treatment solutions.
UV light can be used to disinfect surfaces and inactivate airborne pathogens, and is used in various industries and high-contact areas. UV disinfection improves hygiene and storage conditions by reducing the germ load. UV lamp drivers can adjust UV output to achieve desired disinfection levels.
High-intensity UV light can also be used in a photochemical process that instantly cures inks, coatings, or adhesives. Not only is this fast, but it is also more practical as it reduces logistical complexity and no harmful solvents are released.
There are two groups of drivers that are used depending on the specific type of UV project: Low-Pressure UV Lamps and Medium-Pressure UV Lamps.
Low-pressure lamps, limited to 1000W, provide exactly the right wavelength of light to fight bacteria and have several advantages compared with medium-pressure lamps. The conversion rate from electrical to UV energy for low-pressure lamps stands at around 34 to 38 percent. This means they deliver a higher rate of efficiency than medium-pressure UV lamp drivers, where the conversion is around 12 percent.
While the higher efficiency level of low-pressure lamps may be advantageous in certain circumstances, medium-pressure lamps can achieve higher levels of electrical power – as high as 36 kW. As such, medium-pressure lamp drivers are likely to be more suitable for projects that have limited space and need a high UV level, as in some space-restricted water disinfection systems.
Medium-pressure lamp drivers also produce light of multiple wavelengths, which is beneficial for advanced oxidation. Besides attacking the DNA of bacteria, they can also be combined with other solutions to help with the breakdown of chemical substances.
The efficiency of UV lamp drivers is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, poor quality lamp drivers can result in damage to the UV lamp from over-voltage or component stress. Before the advent of electronic lamp drivers, many businesses relied on electromagnetic devices, which were inefficient, offered less control in terms of power, and required extra attention in terms of their mounting and space requirements.
At Nedap, we are proud of the efficiency and power output levels we are able to achieve with our UV lamp drivers. We advise you to select UV sources with higher levels of energy efficiency, lowering costs for your customers business over the lifetime of a product, reducing carbon footprint, and improving your product reliability. Initial low-cost lamp driver systems offering limited features with regard to the power factor, THD, and efficiency will lead to higher operational costs during the lifetime of your UV systems.
Nedap’s driver technology is already employed to improve the safety of drinking water and optimize the printing process for millions of customers around the world.
Are you looking for a premium product at the right price? One that achieves the highest levels of efficiency and longevity in the market? Find out how Nedap can move your business forward with smart lamp driver technology.
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