Proper UV lamp connection or bulb replacement. What to do when a UV lamp doesn't work?
In today's post, we analyze an issue sometimes reported by users of Nordic Tec UV lamps, which manifests during bulb replacement or occasionally during UV sterilizer installation. This problem shows the following symptoms: despite being connected, the bulb doesn't work, and the power supply indicates a fault through a flashing red LED and rhythmic beeping sound. What could this mean?
☑️✅ Let's start with the most important permanent recommendation - never check if a UV bulb is working by removing it from the sterilizer chamber. UV light destroys living cell DNA (this is how it eliminates bacterial flora during water sterilization), making it highly inadvisable for UV rays to directly affect our skin or eyes. Protective goggles are recommended - if unavailable, proper UV-filter sunglasses will suffice. As a last resort, you can check by covering the bulb with something and carefully observing if a violet-blue glow appears behind it, without looking directly at the light.
If the UV bulb in our sterilizer doesn't work after connection, we should begin by checking the contacts. From our years of experience in selling water UV lamps, we've found that checking the bulb contacts solves the problem in 95% of cases.
Contacts should be checked in 3 places: two places where the bulb connects to the sockets, and where the blue extension cable plugs into the socket.
We usually try to connect such equipment gently, which is understandable given its nature. However, if contacts aren't properly connected, there will be no circuit and the power supply won't detect the lamp, hence the alarm signal.
Sometimes the UV lamp worked initially, but the problem appeared after several hours or days. This doesn't rule out loose contacts - minor vibrations might have loosened them.
If we're certain contacts are properly connected, we should consider whether we handled the bulb correctly and whether we left fingerprints on it before connection, and if it was properly cleaned according to the UVC filter installation instructions.
The bulb should only be held by its pins, never touching the glass, and should be cleaned with clear alcohol before installation. Fingerprints on the glass can cause burnout, similar to how car bulbs burn out when touched. Cotton gloves are recommended for this part of installation.
If these recommendations weren't followed, the bulb may have burned out relatively quickly after being turned on. In this case, try connecting a second bulb. The bulb is a replaceable part, and even if the first bulb turns out to be functional, purchasing a spare isn't wasted - you'll need to replace the bulb within about a year anyway. If the sterilizer works with a replacement bulb, unfortunately this means the first bulb is damaged.
To avoid damaging the bulb or drastically shortening its lifespan, we remind you that:
It's important to note - besides keeping the glass clean during installation - that UV filters are designed for continuous operation. They can work for many months without interruption without harming the bulb's lifespan. UV sterilizers should only be turned off - for example when going away for several days - but not for nightly shutdowns or during work hours.
Particularly dangerous are ideas to synchronize the bulb switch with pressure tank flow etc. Turning such a device on/off every 10 seconds will simply damage it (specifically, the bulb).
This is very rare. As long as the power supply shows signs of life by indicating a fault with a red LED - it's most likely still functional. Typically, a damaged power supply won't turn on at all. Very rarely, power supplies that signaled faults were actually damaged - but if you've tried with 2 bulbs and the UV lamp still doesn't work - you should consider this possibility and send the power supply for warranty service if still covered.
If not under warranty - for Nordic Tec home water UV lamps you can also contact the company's service and request a quote for a new power supply that can be purchased separately (option available for owners of home, aquarium or industrial Nordic Tec UV lamp sets).
Check out the other products by Nordic Tec:
Water softeners, descalers, hard water filters - a compendium of knowledge
Undersink water filters and their role in the water purification process
Iron in water - how to solve the problem?
Water conditioner vs water softener
The most popular water filtration systems
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