Documentation Index
Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.appliedaifoundation.org/llms.txt
Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
The physics of UV-C disinfection
UV-C light (wavelengths 200–280 nm) causes thymine-thymine dimers to form in microbial DNA. This photochemical damage prevents cells from replicating, rendering organisms non-viable — even if they are not immediately destroyed.
Disinfection efficacy is dose-dependent:
UV Dose (mJ/cm²) = Intensity (W/m²) × Exposure Time (s) × 0.1
How intensity is measured
Two intensity values appear in telemetry:
| Field | Description |
|---|
UVR_INTENSITY | Raw UV sensor reading in W/m² |
UVR_INTENSITY_NORMALIZED | Corrected for water temperature and transmittance via WATER_QUALITY_FACTOR |
UVR_INTENSITY. The normalised value is available for analysis in the Data Export tab.
Power output and compensation
As lamps age, they produce less UV output per watt of electrical power consumed. The system’s Lamp Drive Controller (LDC) compensates by increasing power to maintain the intensity setpoint:
| Field | Description |
|---|
UVR_POWER_OUTPUT | Current power delivered to the lamp array (% of rated capacity) |
UVR_POWER_SETPOINT | Target power level commanded by the controller |
POWER_COMPENSATION_PCT | Extra power percentage consumed to compensate for lamp degradation |
DEGRADATION_IMPACT_PCT | UV output reduction (%) attributable to lamp aging |
POWER_COMPENSATION_PCT of 20 means the system is consuming 20% more electrical power than new lamps would require to achieve the same UV intensity. This is a reliable early indicator of lamp aging before efficiency drops below warning thresholds.
Lamp efficiency degradation curve
UV lamps degrade non-linearly over their operating life:
- 0 – ~1,500 hours: Efficiency stays above 90%, minor power compensation needed
- 1,500 – 2,500 hours: Gradual degradation, efficiency enters the 70–90% warning band
- 2,500 – 3,000 hours: Accelerated degradation, replacement recommended before the 3,000-hour rated life
The Trend Analysis tab’s Lamp Efficiency & Power vs Runtime chart visualises this degradation curve for any selected lamp, using data grouped into 10-hour runtime buckets.
Water quality effects
Water conditions affect how efficiently UV light penetrates the flow:
| Field | Effect |
|---|
UVR_WATER_TEMP | Cold water increases UV transmittance (less absorption) |
WATER_QUALITY | Turbidity descriptor |
WATER_QUALITY_FACTOR | Numeric multiplier used to compute normalised intensity |
UVR_POWER_SETPOINT in response.
The LDC (Lamp Drive Controller)
The LDC converts AC power to the high-frequency power needed by UV lamps and controls power delivery. Its health is critical because overheating shortens lamp life.
| Field | Description |
|---|
LDC_AIR_TEMP | Compartment air temperature (°C) |
LDC_FAN_SPEED | Cooling fan speed (RPM) |
LDC_FAN_STATUS | Fan operational state |
LDC_WATER_ALARM | Water ingress alarm flag |
thermal_health component of the system health score reflects LDC temperature management. See Health Score Calculation.
