An Introduction to UV-C Bulbs
One of the more rarely considered Spa Pool consumables is a key component known as your UV bulb, or sometimes referred to as a UV lamp. This component is responsible for neutralising bacteria in your water to ensure they cannot reproduce and turn your Spa Pool into a cesspit of harmful microorganisms. In this article we will discuss the importance of having a functional UV bulb in your Spa Pool as well as how to go about replacing a bulb that has come to the end of its lifespan.
How does a UV Bulb Sanitise Water?
UV Bulbs last for 8-12 months depending on what type of Bulb is being used in your Spa. Every UV bulb has a small amount of mercury, and when that mercury is heated, it produces a UV-C light beam and radiation which effectively neutralises harmful bacteria. Through months of Spa Pool use and heat being applied to the bulb, this mercury becomes ineffective and therefore unable to effectively neutralise harmful bacteria. At this point, there is simply water passing through a tube of glass with no effect on the level of bacteria or microorganisms present.
It’s worth noting, these UV bulbs contain only a tiny amount of mercury and it is never in direct contact with your Spa’s water and does not pose any risks to user health.
Checking your UV Bulb's Operational Status
Many Spa Pools will have a light that is emitted from the UV bulb to indicate its operation status. Quite simply, if you see a green light - your UV bulb is operational, if you see a red light - there is an issue with your UV bulb and it may not be operational. If you see no light at all, this means your Spa’s controller is not sending power to your UV bulb, which is not necessarily cause for alarm. In most cases, all you’ll need to do is put your Spa into a cleaning cycle, and this will send power to the bulb which will then indicate its status, as green or red.
Replacing your UV Bulb
When it comes to actually replacing your existing UV bulb with a nice new one, there are a few important steps to follow:
- Turn off your Spa’s power supply.
- Ensure your UV system has cooled down, and not emitting any warmth.
- Make sure to wear protective gloves when you unscrew your UV bulbs safety cap as the natural oils on your skin can compromise the transparency and therefore effectiveness of the bulb cleaning capabilities.
- Unscrew the cap at the end of the UV bulbs glass sleeve and carefully remove the UV bulb from the sleeve.
- At this stage it’s a good idea to give your UV Bulb’s sleeve a clean with some general all purpose cleaner and a microfibre cloth. Top Tip: pH Buffer can be a good substance to use for this cleaning process due to its coarse nature. Be careful with the sleeve throughout this process as they are fragile.
- Install your new UV bulb into the sleeve, ensuring its electrical pins are connected to the power supply at the cap-end.
- Insert the new lamp and sleeve into the UV system and tighten carefully.
- Turn power back on to the Spa and check the color being emitted from the system is green.
It’s important to note that different Spa Pool manufacturers will configure UV systems differently which may require you to take different steps throughout this process. Feel free to get in touch with our experts or your Spa Pool manufacturer to double check this process for your particular Spa. This guide has been written around the UV bulb configuration in an Alpine Spa.
Get a Replacement UV-C Bulb Now!
Keep your spa water maintenance easy with our replacement UV-C bulb. A properly functioning UV-C bulb will help you say goodbye to bacteria, maintain a healthy spa, and enjoy hassle-free relaxation. With an 8-12 month lifespan and straightforward replacement, ensure your spa water remains at its optimal level effortlessly!
Ready for an upgrade? Dive into worry-free spa moments—grab your replacement UV bulb now!