House supply
At what point should the UV-C system be installed in the drinking water circuit?
A UV-C disinfection system is always the last link in a water treatment chain, as the path to the extraction point should be kept as short as possible. In particular, water filters offer ideal conditions for colonization by bacteria. The freshly disinfected water would therefore become contaminated again if it were to continue through the drinking water circuit after passing through the UV-C system. Pressure tanks should also always be installed before the UV-C systems.
Why does the UV-C lamp need to be replaced after 10,000 hours, even though it still works?
Every UV-C lamp exhibits a technically induced decline in UV-C output. The manufacturer guarantees that the system will still achieve 60% UV-C output after 10,000 hours. The specified data for the systems always refer to this 60% output. However, after a runtime of 10,000 hours, the decline in output continues to increase. Therefore, the lamp still works, but it no longer produces enough UV-C output for an optimal disinfection result.
When do I need a lifetime monitoring?
Lifetime monitoring is recommended for all users who do not keep the system permanently switched on. A lamp replacement every 10,000 hours is recommended, as the manufacturer does not guarantee the performance, i.e., the amount of UV-C radiation dose necessary for safe disinfection, beyond that.
Can this system overheat?
If no water is drawn while the lamps are in operation, the water inside the system heats up. In the 10W, 17W, and 36W systems, this effect is negligible because the water temperature does not rise above 40°C. However, if the water is heated above 40°C, as is possible with the 48W and 90W versions, the lifespan of the lamp can be negatively affected. Therefore, it is recommended to ensure a continuous water flow in these systems.
Does the system automatically turn on with water flow?
The UV system should remain permanently on for various technical reasons:
1.) The UV system takes about 1 minute to reach full power.
2.) Igniting the lamp requires about as much energy as operating it for two hours.
3.) Each on and off cycle reduces the lifespan.
How do I know which UV-C system is right for me?
What is important here is not the average daily water consumption, but the maximum withdrawal amounts that can occur. Therefore, the correct drinking water system is determined by the existing withdrawal stations and the number of people in the house. A fully opened faucet has a capacity of 300 to 500 liters per hour. In case of doubt, the next stronger system should be used.
Do you recommend tank disinfection?
No, we recommend flow reactors, as this precisely defines the maximum distance between the water to be disinfected and the UV-C lamp. A tank disinfection system can only ensure complete disinfection if it has a previously calculated circulation. Furthermore, flow reactors are significantly more efficient.
What do I need a sensor for and how does it differ from lifespan monitoring?
A UV-C sensor is used to measure the emitted UV-C power directly at the lamp. This ensures significantly higher safety for the user, as a drop in performance is directly signaled. This can be due to poor transmission or a natural decrease in the lamp's performance after reaching the recommended maximum operating time of 10,000 hours.
Can I use these systems as drinking water systems?
This should be clarified with the health department in case of doubt. The operating certificate for the systems is available in the download area of the respective product pages of this online shop. We are also happy to advise you personally on this topic. Alternatively, we offer a UV system that is certified according to both DVGW and Ö-Norm with the PURION DVGW ZERT.
What UV-C dose is used?
For safe disinfection, we use a UV-C dose of 400 J/m². This power is sufficient to achieve a disinfection rate of 99.99% while maintaining the specified flow rate and transmission. Thus, water from a tank or containers can be precisely treated.