Operating the lamps

Introducing into the lamp efficiency

In the past century different technologies have been used to generate light. Nowadays insect traps, fluorescent lamps are used to generate the so much wanted UV-A light. Pending on the type, producer and specifications, these lamps can be operated with an efficiency of up to 33%.

The commonly found 15 watt UV-A lamp is able to convert up to 33% of the incoming energy into light. This light needs to be divided in the undesired and non-effective visible light (blue light) and the much desired and invisible UV-A light.


ECO-trap; energy saving technology

Insect control units, located in professional & industrial environments,  need to be switched on 24 hours per day & night. This way not only day insects can be attracted, but also night insects are effectively controlled. Recent studies, also conducted by Alcochem Hygiene,

have shown that day insects and night insects experience light differently: Whereas day insects (diurnals) need a strong UV-A signal to lure them into the light trap, night insects (nocturnals) only need a fraction of this UV-A light.

By operating the lamps this way a significant energy saving can be achieved, as shown in the table, were a 4 x 15 watt unit has been examined:

Based on this conclusion Alcochem Hygiene decided to develop a new range of insect control units,
which offer the amount of light in a more flexible way: The Eco-trap range.[/column]

• During day time these units provide for 100% of UV-A light

• During night time the UV-A light is automatically reduced to only 10% of its nominal capacity, which still offers still the same reliable control on night insects, without the loss of efficiency.