HOW DO YOUR LAMPS LAST?

Article posting : Monday February 13, 2006

You’ve re-lamped equipment to get your salon ready for the busy season.
Here are some tips on how to maximize the life of those lamps.

Most sunlamp manufacturers list a rated life for their products, but few say what their method is for determining this life rating. Does it refer to the time you should expect the lamp to burn out? Is it just a number used to justify compatibility claims? Is it the time when the lamp has lost 50 percent of its output?

Generally, a sunlamp’s rated service life is that point where UV output has depreciated by 30 percent from initial levels. Even the best constructed sunlamp, properly applied, will be ready for replacement due to the natural output (phosphor) depreciation well before it “fails to light”. This is a forecast of performance under proper conditions. We all know that operating sunlamps at higher temperatures will shorten their service life (phosphor degradation) and physical life (burn-out).
Sunlamps experience their sharpest decline during the first 50-100 hours.

To maximize the output and life of your lamps:

  • Start with a high quality lamp.
  • Clean and replace acrylic shields according to the manufacturer’s specifications.
  • Clean the reflective surfaces behind lamps periodically and/or when you re-lamp.
  • Replace worn starters before they cause restrikes or fail entirely. Worn starters can destroy a good lamp in a very short time.
  • Maintain proper room temperatures with adequate air conditioning and ventilation. Higher temperatures can shorten lamp life and reduce output.
  • Incoming voltage must meet the equipment manufacturer’s specifications. Low voltage will reduce tanning effectiveness while high voltage may reduce lamp life.
  • Keep in mind that VHO (very-high-output...160-“200” watt) lamps tend to have a shorter life than HO (high-output 80-100 watt) lamps. Vertical applications (booths) are harder on sunlamps than horizontal (beds).

Remember, due to variables such as maintenance procedures, equipment ventilation and voltage irregularities, actual service life can, and often does, differ. Again, the best way to manage this aspect is good equipment maintenance and regular monitoring of output. Get and use an economical hand-held UV meter. Replace depreciated sunlamps – before you get customer complaints.

“Changing lamps too soon costs you money... changing them too late costs you customers!”

SALON OWNERS
Does Mori have your e-mail address?
Are you getting e-mails like this one from Mori at least once a week ?
If not call Zoe International today at 1 800 668-7144 or (416) 665-7421
Or, better yet, e-mail him at mori@bellnet.ca
get on board the
TANNING FOR THE HEALTH OF IT
campaign.

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