UVC 254nm Ultra Violet Light Meter (UVC-254SD) Data Logging

Lutron UVC-254SD UVC Light Meter, 254 nm Germicidal, with SD Card Data Logging

The Lutron UVC-254SD measures short wave ultraviolet irradiance at 254 nm — the germicidal wavelength. Its sensor responds from 220 to 280 nm with peak response at 254 nm, so it reads the output of germicidal lamps and ignores the visible and long wave UVA light that would corrupt the reading on a broadband meter.

That specificity is the point. A germicidal lamp's disinfection performance depends on delivered dose — irradiance multiplied by exposure time — and a UVC lamp loses output steadily over its service life while continuing to glow exactly as brightly to the eye. Visual inspection tells you nothing. Measuring at 254 nm tells you whether the lamp is still doing its job, and when it needs replacing.

Readings log to an SD card with a date and time stamp, at intervals from 1 second to 1 hour, and open directly in Excel with no software to install. That turns a spot check into a record — useful when lamp performance has to be documented rather than simply observed. The meter also accepts a Type K or Type J thermocouple for a separate temperature channel.

UVC at 254 nm is hazardous to eyes and skin. Exposure causes painful corneal injury and skin burns that give no warning while they are happening — symptoms appear hours later. Never look at an energized germicidal lamp, and use the separate probe so the sensor is in the beam and you are not. Some germicidal lamps also generate ozone; ventilate accordingly.

Typical Applications

• Verifying germicidal lamp output in hospitals, clinics and medical facilities.
• Biological safety cabinets and laminar flow hoods — confirming the UVC lamp still meets its required irradiance.
• Upper room and in-duct UVGI air disinfection systems.
• UVC water treatment and wastewater disinfection.
• Surface disinfection equipment, including mobile room sanitizing units.
• Food processing and packaging line sterilization.
• Laboratory and cleanroom disinfection.
• Lamp replacement scheduling — logging output over time so lamps are changed on measured performance rather than a guess.
• Commissioning and periodic validation of disinfection equipment, with logged records.
• EPROM erasure equipment, which also works at 254 nm.

Features

• Professional 254 nm UVC light meter, for measuring irradiance under a germicidal source.
• Measures UVC output to verify the efficacy of germicidal lamps, particularly in the medical field.
• Two ranges: 2 mW/cm² and 20 mW/cm².
• Exclusive UVC sensor structure with a metallic housing.
• UVC sensor with cosine correction filter, so light arriving at an angle is weighted correctly.
• One touch zero button for the UVC function.
• Separate probe on a cable, so the sensor can be placed at the optimum position and angle for the lamp while you stay clear of the beam.
• Real time SD memory card data logger with built-in clock and calendar. Sampling time settable from 1 to 3,600 seconds.
• Manual data logging by setting the sampling time to 0 seconds, with a selectable location number from 1 to 99 to identify each reading.
• No software to install. Remove the SD card, plug it into a computer, and the readings open directly in Excel with year, month, date, hour, minute and second.
• Type K and Type J thermocouple port with automatic temperature compensation.
• Data hold, plus maximum and minimum recording with recall.
• Auto power off, which can be disabled.
• Large LCD with green back light.
• Tripod mount and self-storing easel stand built into the case.
• RS-232/USB computer interface for external logging.
• Powered by six AA batteries or an optional 9V DC adapter.

Specifications

• Sensor spectrum: 220 nm to 280 nm, with optimum response at 254 nm.
• Sensor: exclusive UVC photo sensor with cosine correction filter and metallic housing.
• Zero adjustment: by push button.
• Circuit: custom one-chip microprocessor LSI.
• Display: 52 x 38 mm LCD with green back light, switchable on and off.
• Display sampling time: approximately 1 second.
• Data logger sampling time: 1 to 3,600 seconds in automatic mode; manual mode saves one reading per button press, with a selectable location number from 1 to 99.
• SD card capacity: 1 GB to 16 GB.
• Advanced settings: clock, decimal character for the SD card, auto power off, beeper on/off, thermometer type (K or J), temperature unit, sampling time, and card format.
• Temperature compensation: automatic, for the Type K/J thermometer.
• Data hold: freezes the displayed reading.
• Memory recall: maximum and minimum values.
• Data output: RS-232/USB PC interface. The optional UPCB-02 cable provides an RS-232 plug; the optional USB-01 cable provides a USB plug.
• Meter dimensions: 7.0 x 2.7 x 1.8" (177 x 68 x 45 mm).
• UVC probe dimensions: 1.5" diameter x 1.0" (38 mm diameter x 25 mm).
• Meter weight: 12.4 oz (351 g).
• UVC probe weight: 3.6 oz (103 g).
• Operating temperature: 32 to 122 °F (0 to 50 °C). NOTE most batteries are not rated for use below -4 °F or above 125 °F.
• Operating humidity: less than 85% RH.
• Power supply: six 1.5V AA (UM3) alkaline or heavy duty batteries, or an optional AC to DC 9V adapter.
• Power consumption: approximately 6.5 mA in normal operation with no SD card saving and the back light off; approximately 30 mA while saving to the card; add approximately 16 mA with the back light on.

UVC Light Measurement

Specifications apply at 23 ± 5 °C. Calibration is performed under UVC light against a standard UVC meter. Note that 1 mW equals 1 mJ per second.

Type K and Type J Thermometer

The temperature channel is a separate function, used when the light probe is disconnected.

Specifications are tested in an environment with RF field strength less than 3 V/m and frequency less than 30 MHz.

Accessories Included

• UVC light sensor probe.
• Hard carrying case, CA-06.
• Instruction manual.
• Lutron factory calibration certificate.

Optional Components

• Light probe extension cable, EXCB-05.
• 16 GB SD memory card.
• Type K thermocouple probe.
• Lutron data acquisition software for Windows, SW-U801-WIN.
• Lutron Excel data acquisition software, SW-E802.
• Lutron USB data acquisition cable with driver, USB-01.
• RS-232 cable, UPCB-02.
• USB to 9V DC power cable, USBP-59.
• 110V AC to 9V DC adapter, AP-9V110.