Applications of SOLARMETER® 4.0 :

• UV Lamp Aging Test
• Acrylic Shield Transmission
• Eyewear UV Block Comparison
• Window Film/Tint Transmission

Features and Benefits :

• Hand Held Integral Sensor
• Accurate Calibration
• NIST Traceable
• Compact and Durable
• LCD Readout

Sensor :

The sensor consists of a silicon photodiode and a UV filter. It is completely insensitive to visible light longer than 400nm and infrared radiation because its  spectral  response  only  covers  the  UVA  region  from  320-400nm.  Applications  include  solar  UV  detection  as  a  spectral  response  is  well  
matched to the solar UV spectrum.

Meter Operation :

To operate your Solarmeter, aim the sensor window located on the top panel of the meter directly at a UV source. Press and hold the push-button switch on the face of the meter. For best
results take note of the distance the reading was taken from the UV source
in order to ensure repeatable results.

Battery  operation  voltage  is  viable  from  9V  down  to  6.5V.  Below  6.5V  the numbers on the LCD display will begin to dim indicating the need for battery replacement.  Under  typical  service  load  a  standard  9V  battery  will  last around 2 years.

Proper Usage of Solarmeter® Ultraviolet Radiometer :

• Wear eye protection when checking UV lamps (Glasses that provide wrap around protection are ideal).
• Allow lamps to warm-up prior to taking readings (at least 5 minutes).

Lamp Aging :

• When  checking  lamp  aging,  make  sure  to  use  the  same  location  and  
distance to ensure accurate readings.
• Lamps  should  be  replaced  when  output  drops  to  about  70%  of  their  
original (new) readings.

Curing Lamps :

• For  curing  lamps,  hold  the  meter  at  the  distance  you  intend  your  work piece to be cured.

Tanning Lamps :

• To take the overall reading at the center of the tanning bed, place meter pointing up with canopy closed.
• To take individual lamp readings, hold the meter against the acrylic with canopy open.
• This meter is “seeing” the UVA “browning” rays. For erythemal readings use Model 7.0 MED/hr meter.
Acrylic Testing
• For  acrylic  testing,  take  readings  with  and  without  acrylic  at  a  fixed distance.
• When comparing different types of lamps consider readings to be relative ather than absolute.
• Lamps that peak near 365nm (newer designs) will read higher than lamps that peak near 350nm.

General :

• Do not subject the meter to extremes in temperature, humidity, shock or dust.
• Use a dry, soft cloth to clean the instrument. Keep sensor free of oil, dirt, etc.

Specifications :

Irradiation Range : 0-199.9 mW/cm² UVA
Response : 320-400nm
Resolution : 0.1 mW/cm²
Conversion Rate : 3.0 Readings/Sec
Display : 3.5 Digit LCD
Digit Size : 0.4 inch High
Operation Temperature : 32° F to 100° F
Operation Humidity : 5% to 80% RH
Accuracy : ±10% to NIST Ref. Meter
Dimensions : 4.2L x 2.4W x 0.9D (in.)
Weight : 4.5 OZ (Including Battery)
Power Source : 9-Volt DC Battery

Ordering Information :

Model 4.0 : UVA Radiometer

Solarmeter® is Solar Light Company Inc.'s brand of specialty hand-held light meters. We are the industry leader in the design and manufacture of UV and Visible Light radiometers for measuring lamp irradiance vs aging, as well as other related applications serving the indoor tanning industry, window film tint measurement, outdoor UV Index measurement, UV curing, reptile and sterilization lamp measurement, red/blue light phototherapy, LED measurement, and photovoltaic (PV) solar irradiance metrology. These meters provide long term accurate measurements for both low and high intensity lamp systems, in order to enable output and aging determination. They also measure solar irradiance.

Since 1991, well over 30,000 of these hand-held digital meters have been produced and sold worldwide.

Each Solarmeter® radiometer model comes complete with a carrying case and instruction brochure. Models 4.0 through 9.6 include a NIST-traceable Calibration Certificate, while Model 10.0 includes a WRR-traceable Calibration Certificate.

Generally, lamps need replacement when their output declines 30% (falls below 70% of their new values.) This may occur after anywhere from a few hundred to >1000 hours of use, depending on many various factors. The only way to know for sure is to monitor irradiance with a meter!

The current Solarmeter® models are summarized here:

Please be sure to visit all the pages on this site to learn more about each specific model.

Solar Light Company, Inc. is recognized worldwide for over 50 years as America's premier manufacturer of precision ultraviolet light sources, solar simulators, and radiometers. Our standard line of UV, visible, and IR radiometers and light meters measure laboratory, industrial, environmental, and health related light levels with NIST traceable accuracy. Column ozone, aerosol, and water vapor thickness measurements, in addition to long-term global ultraviolet radiation studies all over the world are performed using our atmospheric line of instrumentation. Solar Light also provides NIST traceable spectroradiometric analyses, calibrations for light meters and light sources, OEM instrumentation and monitors, and accelerated ultraviolet radiation degradation testing of materials.

Solarmeter® is a registered trademark of Solar Light Company, Inc.