Low-pressure UV lamps produce monochromatic radiation at 254 nm wavelength, which makes them ideal for a range of disinfection and sterilisation applications. The lamps tend to be long in length, around 100cm, and emit ultraviolet light at a high intensity.

Low-pressure UV lamps have an operating lifetime of up to 8,000 hours and convert up to 35%* of the lamp’s electrical power into UVC, offering an efficient and cost-effective alternative to medium pressure mercury lamps for water, air and surface disinfection systems, as well as controlling unwanted odours in the air.

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*Ref: 180101BoltonAndSantelliArticle.pdf (uvsolutionsmag.com)

Amalgam Lamps

Amalgam UV lamps (also known as high output, low-pressure lamps) contain mercury like other UV lamps, but it is in the form of an alloy with another metal – creating an amalgam.

This means the mercury is fixed to amalgam spots on the lamp body or contained in amalgam pellets, altering the way the lamp works in two ways. Firstly, the amalgam spots or pellets work as a pressure regulator, absorbing and releasing mercury as the lamp pressure fluctuates.  As a result, the lamp’s ultraviolet output remains constant and will not be affected by changes in the temperature of the water or air around it. Secondly, the amalgam allows the lamp to operate effectively at a higher temperature, so that the lamp can be powered at a higher wattage and therefore generate more UVC.

The process of manufacturing amalgam lamps is labour intensive and more expensive than that of low or medium pressure UV lamps, so the lamps tend to be a higher price. However, the increased lifetime of an amalgam lamp means a good return on investment in the long term.

Amalgam lamps are suitable for helping disinfect liquids, air and surfaces, but the high temperatures generated by running them at high power can cause issues if they are used in very still or stagnant air or water.

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