Instructions for Installing Your Ultra Violet System
Clearlight Ultraviolet Water Sterilizer
USER GUIDE
Congratulations on your purchase. Your new ultraviolet (UV) disinfection system is a high quality product that will give you safe drinking water. It protects you from microbiological contamination by killing micro-organisms in your water supply.
OVERVIEW
Ultraviolet light is invisible to the human eye. It is classified into three different wavelength bands: Wave Band A (UVA); Wave Band B (UVB); and Wave Band C (UVC). UVC is considered to be the most effective at microbiological sterilization of water and air.
By exposing water to UVC light, the nucleic acid, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA) of any micro-organisms in the water absorb the UV rays and are damaged. UVC can effectively kill algae, fungi, bacteria, viruses and other micro-organisms in water.
SAFETY
Please note that UV light is a powerful tool for sterilization and needs to be handled carefully as it also has damaging effects on humans and other life forms when in direct contact.
NEVER look directly at the UV light without adequate eye protection.
Do not use if wet or in a wet area. The unit is intended to be used indoors / undercover and must not freeze. Use only with a properly grounded electrical outlet to avoid electric shocks.
We recommend a qualified plumber installs the unit.
PRE-FILTERS
You should fit a pre filter. This removes particles from the water preventing them forming “shadows” under which micro-organisms can escape direct exposure to the UVC rays. We recommend a 20 micron per-filter. If you haven’t already ordered one with your UV unit you can get one from us.
Usually only one pre-filter is required. You might want an additional one if you need to improve the taste and odour of the water. Or if you have particularly bad sediment. (In the latter case we would recommend the first in the series should be a 50 or 100 micron filter followed by the standard 20 micron filter).
If you have other contaminants in your water eg lead, nitrates etc you should fit a Reverse Osmosis system for drinking water at point of use. (The UV system only kills microbes).
Tools / Materials required
Soldering tools |
Teflon tape |
Wrench |
Inlet / outlet connections |
Pipe cutter - to cut into your existing plumbing |
Source Water Quality Requirements
In order for the unit to work properly your source water must be within the following parameters:
Hardness: If above 7 GPG (grains per gallon) the water should be softened. If below this you need to clean the quartz sleeve regularly.
Manganese: <0.05 ppm
Lead: <0.3 ppm
Tannins: < 0.1 ppm
Turbidity: <1 ntu
UV Transmittance: (UVT) This is the measure of the ratio of light entering and exiting water. It must behigher than 80%.
Pressure: If water pressure is over 3 Bar a check valve can be fitted in the inlet/outlet of the sterilizer in order to protect the quartz sleeve.
System materials. Each model in this UV range contains a main steel cylinder fabricated from 304 or 316 stainless steel, making it impervious to rust, producing no toxic by-products, and meets food hygiene safety requirements.
WHERE TO LOCATE THE UNIT
- The UV unit should be located indoors. It must not freeze.
- Select a point where it will intercept all the incoming mains water.
- It should be placed after the water has gone through any other water treatment equipment such as filters or softeners.
- Make sure there will be sufficient space for changing the bulb and quartz sleeve. - Use only with a properly grounded electrical outlet to avoid electric shocks.
- Do not place in a wet area.
- Fit bypass valves to the unit and the pre-filter(s).
- The UV unit can be mounted horizontally or vertically.
Diagram of the UVC sterilizer parts.
Image 1
The Philips UV lamp offers high quality service and long service life. Image 2
Structural diagram of the horizontal UVC water sterilizer. (Some models only)
Image 3
INSTALLATION STEPS AND IMPORTANT NOTES
- Before installing, please refer to the “Diagram of the UVC sterilizer parts” (Image 1), to properly understand the sterilizer components and how they connect to each other.
- If you position the sterilizer vertically make sure that the water-inlet side is at the bottom of the unit and the water-outlet is at the top. This prevents the water from passing too quickly along the cylinder and ensures proper UVC exposure.
- If water flow might exceed the maximum rated flow for the unit you must correct this issue by fitting a flow restrictor / pressure-limiting device.
- If water pressure is over 3 Bar a check valve can be fitted in the inlet/outlet of the sterilizer in order to protect the quartz sleeve.
- If a 'normally closed' solenoid valve is needed in your setup, it can be fitted to the inlet side of the unit. 6. It is not recommended to use a circuit breaker when mounting the sterilizer in a horizontal orientation.
- Ensure that the sterilizer is mounted securely. Regular vibrations that develop from the flow of water could cause fasteners to loosen and allow the unit to fall and strike the floor. This shock could cause damage to the fragile internal parts.
- To insert the lamp / bulb: Always hold UV lamps by their metal ends, not by the glass - unless using gloves. Remove the lamp from its box carefully. Insert the lamp into the end socket. (Push the pins carefully into the female receptor - no push-twist required). Then insert the other end of the lamp into the Lamp Holder.
- Connect the inlet/outlet ports to the related water pipes and fill the sterilizer with water to test for leaks. A careful visual inspection of every connection is important. If no leakage is present insert the power plug and turn the unit on.
- The ballast automatically detects whether the UV lamp is well connected. If there is damage to the lamp or a problem with the wiring, the ballast will sound an audible alarm.
- The timer and UV radiation intensity monitor (optional) will begin to work automatically when the power is switched on.
MAINTENANCE
- When replacing the UV lamp you must first turn off the power.
- When replacing the UV lamp, do not forcibly pull on the lamp connector wires. You can apply pressure to the big terminals of the wires and then slowly begin to pull out the lamp.
- UVC light is a powerful form of radiation. Do not directly look at the UV lamp.
- The ultraviolet water sterilizer kills bacteria, viruses and other protozoa. But it does not eliminate bad taste, smell, biological material, certain chemicals, silt, heavy metals and other kinds of impurities. These
impurities also hamper the effectiveness of your UVC light. It is highly recommended for best performance to install a pre-filter before the sterilizer to ensure full performance.
CLEANING / ASSEMBLING THE QUARTZ SLEEVE
- Remove the quartz sleeve every 3-6 months to check for scaling on surface.
- Use mild soap or citric acid to clean the scaling from the sleeve surface. After cleaning, wipe the sleeve with rubbing alcohol and then install back into the sterilizer.
- Cleaning steps:
- a) Turn off the power,
- b) Take out the lamp,
- c) Loosen the nuts from both ends,
- d) Take out the quartz sleeve and set aside the O-rings,
- e) Clean the sleeve.
- Assembly steps:
- a) Fit the O-ring on the no-hole terminal of the quartz sleeve and insert the sleeve into the pipe, b) Tighten the no-hole nut,
- c) Fit the O-ring on the open terminal of quartz sleeve,
- d) Tighten perforation nuts on the terminals (Ensure each nut is tight enough to prevent leaks), e) Fill water to test for leakage,
- f) Connect both ends of the lamp with the keyed socket ends. Then put them into the sleeve, g) Turn on the power and check for operation.
TROUBLESHOOTING
Symptom |
Solution |
Leakage on the UV sterilizer steel pipe nuts |
Replace the sleeve O-rings |
Water flows out from the quartz sleeve |
Replace the quartz sleeve |
Leakage on the inlet/outlet |
Inspect connection and reinstall |
Ballast sounds alarm or lamp doesn’t turn on |
Lamp has reached its service life end. Lamp needs to be replaced |
Lamp still doesn't turn on after replacing |
Check the lamp connector wires |
Lamp doesn’t turn on |
Ballast is broken and needs replacement |
Timer failure |
Do some adjustments according to the user manual or replace it |
UV radiation intensity monitor failure |
Do some adjustments according to the user manual or replace it |
Leakage on UV radiation detection head |
Replace O-ring of detection head |