BIOLAB ULTRA VIOLET LIGHT TECHNOLOGY BioLab UV is a revolutionary product that utilizes ultraviolet (UV) light technology to take swimming pool sanitation to the next level. BioLab UV assists your primary sanitizer in providing an additional layer of protection against viruses, bacteria, cysts and protozoa that are introduced into the pool via swimmers and the environment. When used with a recommended BioGuard pool treatment program, the BioLab UV technology improves bather safety from chlorine resistant organisms. With BioLab UV, you get the peace of mind that comes with knowing you're doing everything you can to protect your family. Once you've used the added protection of UV, you'll never go without. The LC10 contains a single UV lamp and is recommended for all chlorine based BioGuard pool programs The LC20 contains two UV lamps and is recommended for all chlorine based BioGuard pool programs except Mineral Springs. Provides sanitation against bacteria, viruses, cysts and protozoa* Is a non-irritant for the skin, hair and mucus membranes Reduces chloramines which cause chlorine smell, eye irritation and skin discomfort New way to help address pool contaminants Will not affect water balance Fast-acting Frees chlorine to attack bacteria and wastes introduced by swimmers and the environment *Must be used in conjunction with an EPA registered sanitizer GENERAL UV QUESTIONS What is Ultraviolet (UV) technology? UV technology is an environmentally-friendly way to utilize ultraviolet energy to neutralize the microscopic microorganisms that live in pool water. How does UV work? Unlike most disinfectants, ultraviolet (UV) radiation does not use a chemical reaction to neutralize microorganisms. Rather, UV radiation inactivates organisms through the absorption of light to cause photochemical damage to the target organism by altering components essential to cell function. This does not necessarily kill the microorganism, but the disruption of the DNA or RNA prohibits future replication rendering the microorganism incapable of infection. It is important to note that only the water that comes into direct contact with the UV light is being disinfected. What type of microorganisms does UV neutralize? E. coli, Legionella, Pseudomonas, Salmonella, Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Hepatitis A, and many more. Inactivation is dependent upon many factors such as UV dosage, water quality, and contact time which is based on the flow rate through the device.
Are there other uses of UV technology in the pool industry? Pools also use UV to generate ozone in ozonators. This technology is different and should not be confused with the BioLab UV systems. The major difference is that ozonators use UV to generate ozone, which is toxic and used as an oxidizer in the water before it has to be vented off. BioLab UV generates no ozone and uses UV at a special wavelength to neutralize contaminants in the water. What are the advantages of UV technology? UV light is effective at neutralizing microorganisms including chlorine resistant parasites like Cryptosporidium and Giardia, thus enabling more efficient use of chlorine to kill bacteria and eliminate swimmer waste. This technology is a physical process rather than a chemical disinfectant; therefore it does not affect water balance. UV technology is environmentally-friendly and the devices are user-friendly for operators. It reduces combined chlorine by up to 47%, which reduces the "chlorine smell" caused by chloramines to enhance bather comfort. Will chlorine usage be reduced when using UV? There are many factors that affect chlorine consumption. UV has an indirect effect on chlorine by allowing it to work more efficiently because there are less contaminants in the water that contribute to chlorine demand. We add CYA to prevent chlorine degradation from sunlight. Will UV degrade chlorine? Yes. If left unstabilized, UV will readily degrade free chorine. This is why BioLab UV should always be used within balanced pool water that is stabilized with cyanuric acid. Does UV affect ph or water balance? No, UV does not affect water balance or ph. However, it is very important to maintain proper ph and alkalinity, since these factors affect the scaling potential of metals (iron, manganese, copper, calcium) which can then precipitate on the quartz sleeve and impair the performance of the unit. How does UV affect chloramines? At proper dosages, UV light can destroy chloramines up to 47% through a process called photo-oxidation. Is there any residual effect from UV? No, UV energy does not leave a measurable residual in your pool. It is a supplemental system that treats water only as it passes inside the unit's wet chamber and comes into visual contact with UV energy from the lamp. The use of an EPA registered chlorine sanitizer is needed to maintain a 1-3 ppm free chlorine residual at all times.
Do I still need to use chlorine with my UV device? Yes, you must maintain a 1-3 ppm free available chlorine residual in conjunction with the UV device. What chemical program should I use with UV? UV is ideal with all chlorine-based programs. Because of its PVC housing, the LC10 system is to be used with all chlorine generator pools and pools using bleach. Can I use UV with biguanide treated systems? No, UV technology is only compatible with pools using a chlorine program. Can I use UV with an ionizer like Nature 2 or Frog? Yes. Even though such sytems use metal ions, the concentrations are low enough to not interfere with the UV transmission. Remember that any auxiliary equipment such as an ionizer is to be installed after the UV system. Does UV work with traditional alternative chemical feeders and generators? Yes, BioLab UV systems work with any chlorine chemical feeder or saline chlorination. However, the BioLab UV LC10 must be used since its plastic components are compatible with pools equipped with saline generators. Because of its stainless steel construction, the LC20 housing will not be covered under the limited warranty if installed on a saline generator pool GENERAL UV QUESTIONS How do I know when my UV lamp is on? The outlet of the UV chamber contains a clear sight glass that will glow when the UV lamp is on. In addition, the LC20 unit comes equipped with LED indicator lights on its cap that designate whether each lamp is working properly. The lamp creates a closed circuit that illuminates the indicator light only when the lamp is lit. The lamps are similar to fluorescent lamps in that their intensity will decrease as they get to the end of their lifespan. Will a time clock on my pool shorten the lamp life? Yes, if your timer is scheduled to cycle many times during the day, then the on/off frequency will shorten the life of the lamp. At a minimum, a continuous daily 10-12 hour pump run time is recommended. The ultraviolet lamps are designed for 13,000 hours of continuous use or to be switched on 1,000 times; i.e. approximately 2-3 years for a seasonal outdoor pool, or 1-2 year for an indoor pool operating 24 hours a day.
What is the minimum pump run time when using a UV device? The recommended pump run time when using a UV device is the same as with any other program, 10-12 hours minimum per day. Do metals impact the effectiveness of the UV device? Yes, iron has a significant absorbance at 254 nm, which causes it to interfere with the UV transmission and possibly precipitate onto the surface of the quartz sleeve. For most effective use with pools filled with well water, test the water for metals. If metals are present turn off your unit, sequester them, filter them out using a filter aid and chemically clean the filter. After the metals are completely removed from the water, the UV device can be turned back on. Are copper based algaecides compatible with UV systems? Yes, copper based algaecides are compatible with our UV systems. Will cloudy water reduce the effectiveness of the UV? Yes, cloudy water will interfere with UV transmittance and reduce the effectiveness of the device. This is why it is important to take a proactive approach to maintain proper water balance and your filtration system. What is transmittance? Transmittance is the amount of light that passes through a substance. Cloudy or hazy water will not be treated as effectively as properly balanced, clear water. What do I do if I get cloudy water? The UV devices lose effectiveness in turbid water above 0.5 NTU. If your water becomes cloudy, chemically clean the filter and apply a water clarifier according to label directions. Can I use the UV device in areas of high calcium, where there is a potential for scaling? Yes, hard water does not reduce the transmittance of the UV light; however, a more frequent maintenence regimen must be employed to ensure that any scale buildup is cleaned off of the quartz sleeve. I have an attached spa on my pool; can I still install a UV device? Yes, as long as the UV device is installed in the pool line before the heater and there is at least 0.5 psi operating pressure within the vessel itself. Some spas may require the 5 psi replacement pressure switch, which is dependent upon their size. Please refer back to your UV dealer for more information.
Can a UV device be used on a pool that also has an ozonator? Yes, as long as the ozonator is installed after the UV device. UV light at 254 nm will destroy ozone, so you will get limited effectiveness of the ozonator if installed before the UV system. How often should I replace the lamp? Lamp Lifespan in years = 13,000 hr <> DPRT x 7 Days/Week x SW DPRT = Daily Pump Run Time in hours SW = Number of weeks in yearly pool season For best results, we recommend that the lamps be replaced every 2-3 years for seasonal use, or 1-2 years for seasons that last year round. How do I replace the lamps? Refer to your I&O manual for the lamp replacement procedure. What do I do if the lamp breaks? The lamps contain mercury and need to be disposed of in accordance with local code. Disposal/cleanup regulations as well as disposal sites vary widely by state and local municipalities. EPA mercury spill/disposal guidelines can be found at www.epa.gov/mercury/spills. Additionally, local regulations and recycling information can be found at www.lamprecycle.org or www.almr.org. How do I tell if the quartz sleeve is dirty? The quartz sleeve will have an observable cloudy or dirty appearance on its surface. How do I clean the quartz sleeve? The quartz sleeve should be wiped with a soft cloth and acidic filter cleaner. What do I do if the quartz sleeve breaks? Carefully clean up broken glass and throw away. Contact your UV device supplier for a replacement sleeve.
What should I do if I don't see the light illuminated? If this occurs upon initial start-up, the problem could be caused by a number of issues. Proceed with the recommended troubleshooting only after you have confirmed that the unit is plugged in, the switch is in the ON position for the LC20, and the outlet GFCI has not tripped (if so, reset the outlet). a. The pressure switch is open. This is caused by low pressure in your system. Make sure the pump is on (the lamp will only light when there is 0.5 PSI water pressure inside your UV device's wet chamber). Verify that the pressure gauge reads 0.5 PSI or more. If it does not read at least 0.5 PSI, reduce flow exiting the UV device by partially closing the valve on the discharge piping exiting the UV device. This will increase the pressure inside the UV wet chamber. b. The lamp has become disconnected from the lamp connector. Disconnect the power cord from the electrical outlet, open the electrical enclosure hood and confirm that the lamp connector is firmly in place. At the same time, check all exposed wires for a possible loose connection. Plug the electrical cord back into the electrical outlet ONLY after the electrical enclosure hood has been re-installed on the UV device. c. Verify that the electrical cord is plugged into a hot outlet. Test the electrical outlet and make sure that the GFCI has not tripped. You should confirm the availability of the same power as indicted on the electrical label on your UV. d. Make sure you have not plugged your device into any power source other than that specified on your device's electrical label. If you have done so in error, the ballast has been damaged and needs to be replaced. Contact your supplier for the correct replacement ballast. (Not warrantied) If this occurs after the device has been operating successfully for a period of time. a. Verify that the GFCI has not tripped. To verify the operating state of the GFCI, trip the GFCI manually and reset it manually. The GFCI should reset. If it does not, it indicates a fault to ground in the electrical circuit or the UV unit itself. b. The lamp has burned out. Replace the UV lamp. Refer back to the lamp lifespan section of your manual. c. The ballast has burned out. Contact your supplier or BioLab UV for assistance in obtaining a new ballast and plug. d. Verify that the electrical outlet where the UV unit is plugged has the proper voltage and the cord is securely plugged into the outlet. If using and extension cord, make sure that it is at least a 14/3 rated conductor that is no longer than 25 feet. Do I need to turn off the UV device when I clean my filter? No, the flow sensing pressure switch that is part of your device will automatically shut the UV lamp off until proper water flow inside the vessel is re-established. Should you need to turn your device off for any reason, this is accomplished by simply unplugging the LC10 device from its power outlet, or by flipping the power switch on the LC20. What happens if the UV device makes noise when operating? This is an indication that there is systemic vibration and the unit is not properly mounted to its base. Attach the unit correctly to a firm base as described in Section 4 of the I&O manual.
What is happening when water comes out of the electrical enclosure? Water exiting the device through the electrical enclosure hood can be attributed to either (a) a bad quartz tube seal, or (b) a broken or cracked quartz tube. Check the quartz tube seal and quartz tube as instructed in Section 6 of the I&O manual. When I winterize my pool, what should I do with the UV device? Drain your UV device of all water within the wet chamber. Check the quartz sleeve for any deposits, and clean with a soft cloth and acidic filter cleaner. Store the sleeve and lamp within the unit with all connectors connected to prevent any corrosion that would occur throughout the winter months. Propylene glycol antifreeze is compatible with either system if you choose not to drain. Other antifreezes that contain a high salt content are not compatible with the LC20. Unit failure due to improper winterization will not be covered under the limited warranty. For best results, winterize through complete drainage of the unit. Is there a difference in the amount of pool maintenance required to take care of a pool with both a BioLab UV unit and chlorine generator as opposed to just having a chlorine generator? Not much. At the same time that you inspect and clean the chlorine generator cell, you can also inspect and clean the quartz sleeve. Why is flow rate important? Flow through the BioLab UV determines the UV dosage. Since dosage is a function of exposure time, a flow rate through the vessel that is too high will not provide enough exposure time to allow for effective inactivation. A flow rate that is too low will not provide the proper turnover rate to allow for efficient filtration. How do I determine flow rate? What is the maximum flow? The flow rate through your UV device is dictated by the length and size of piping for your pool and the size and output of your circulation pump. Refer to your pool builder for your circulation flow rate and refer back to your manual for the recommended flow rate to maximize the UV dosage for your unit. How much flow is needed for the light to illuminate? BioLab UV devices come equipped with a pressure switch that will illuminate the bulb when the dynamic pressure within the vessel reaches 0.5 psi. Please refer to the printed installation and operation manual that came with your UV system for more detailed instruction.