How to calibrate UV meter?
When it comes to reptile care, UVB light is one of the most important elements. Without this light, reptiles can suffer from various health problems and even die if not provided with an adequate amount of UVB.
This blog post will teach you how to calibrate your UV meter to ensure that you are providing enough sunlight for your pet reptile!
Related Posts:
- Best Thermometers for Bearded Dragon
- Best UVB Bulbs for Sulcata Tortoise
- How Much UVB Does a Bearded Dragon Need?
- How to Make UV Light for Turtles?
- How Long Can a Tortoise Live Without UV Light?
How to Calibrate UV Meter?
How to calibrate UV meter?
UV meter calibrated with “1” does not mean that it has the same sensitivity as “1” on the A-scale of a light meter.
UV meters are unlike other meters in their calibration to make them more useful for measuring ultraviolet dosing.
Please note that UV meters are used for scientific purposes and can be very expensive, and you might not want to risk damaging them by putting them in a calibration solution or exposing them to sunlight.
There is no direct “calibration” for these devices. Instead, they are divided into two types: calibrated and uncalibrated.
The NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) recommends UV meters that are not marked as ‘calibrated’ or ‘certified’ to be considered uncalibrated.
These meters can be used for a rough estimation of ultraviolet dosage, but should not be used in laboratories where the results will be transferred into legal documents.
If you suspect your UV meter is uncalibrated, you might want to test it using a known UV source before using it for field measurements.
For calibrating or verifying the accuracy of any type of UV meter, there are two options.
Check its linearity by measuring some light sources or send it to a metrology lab that has precision photometers and electronic loads that simulate solar spectral irradiance at different dosages.
UV meter does not have anything to do with light meters used for photography.
There are several types of UV meters, but the most common types are the ones that measure both UVA and UVB (which require different sensors). These can be used to determine how much UV is getting through your sunscreen, sunblock, or clothing.
Properly used, they can show you if there is adequate protection for what’s around you (including yourself) or whether you should reapply your protection at some point.
You cannot rely on these alone as an actual measurement of solar UV without a known calibrated source to compare against.
There are also more expensive models, which will read out a dose in mW/cm2 or W/m2. These have a silicon photodetector, which is more sensitive to UVA and UVB for their respective ranges.
Most of these meters have a button, which, when pressed, will read out the dosage in uW/cm² at the location of measurement, or they might have a digital display that can show a number in this range.
The best way to interpret the meter reading is by comparison with a calibrated light source, but it should be noted that most, if not all, UV meters are uncalibrated, so they only give you an indication of intensity.
An exception to this is when using an integrating sphere, such as those made by Solartech Instruments Inc., which will give you both intensity and irradiance at the same time (irradiance = power per unit area).
How to Use a UV Meter for Reptiles?
A lot of articles on the internet claim that a UV meter is a very helpful device for us reptile owners.
However, many of those articles share some pretty bizarre and inaccurate information as well.
This article aims to explain what a UV meter can do for you as an owner and how to use it properly so you can accurately measure the sun’s UV performance wherever you are!
The first thing people tend to ask is, “Why should I buy a UV meter?” or “What will I be able to do with a UV meter?”
To that, the answer is simple: Testing your reptile’s exposure to sunlight.
As most experienced herpetoculturists know, there are several different types of radiation found in a naturally lit space, which we call UVB, UVA, UVC, and visible light.
What we’re most concerned with, however, is the difference between UVB and UVA.
These are the only types of radiation that have been directly linked to causing vitamin D3 deficiencies in captive reptiles (which can then lead to metabolic bone disease).
In captivity, incandescent bulbs produce UVB while fluorescent tubes produce both UVA and some UVB, depending on their size and type. Some tubes even produce very little!
How do you know which ones do what?
That’s where a UV meter comes in! By measuring the UV output of the lamps, you can select the best possible lighting to suit your animal’s needs.
UV meters are relatively cheap and easy to use. However, they do require practice.
The most important thing is learning how to calibrate a UV meter properly, which varies between models.
I personally purchased a Solarmeter 6.2 model for this reason as it was one of the most user-friendly ones available at that time.
It’s worth noting that some UV meters are designed more for human use than animal or sunlight testing, so make sure you check out lots of reviews before purchasing anything!
Once you have your meter, it’s important to learn how accurate it is on different surfaces, especially when it comes to glass and water (as we tend to house our reptiles in both).
Water and glass block UV light, so it’s very hard for a meter to give an accurate reading.
This means that if you’re testing the UV output of tube lights or their spectrums, then you should allow at least 20-30cm between the surface and the meter before taking a reading as anything closer will skew your results.
For this reason, it’s best to turn off any glass screens (such as lampshades) before using your meter, as they will cause inaccurate readings, too.
It’s worth noting, though, that some meters are better than others when it comes to measuring through watery surfaces. Do make sure yours can handle such conditions!
As mentioned earlier, many people claim that a UV meter is only capable of measuring UVB, but this is simply not true!
All you need to do is press the “UVA” button if it has one.
The only exception is UV meters that are marketed as being solely for human use. These will not have a UVA function even though they may be able to measure both types of UV radiation.
All in all, there are many benefits to owning a UV meter. Knowing how to calibrate a UV meter is helpful, too!
It can help save money on your electric bill by allowing you to select lamps with less output, thus making them last longer and cost less to run. It’s also useful for breeders who wish to test eggs or incubators without causing any harm.
And lastly, it allows owners the ability to accurately measure their animal’s exposure to UV, which in turn allows them to make informed decisions about the best lighting for their pets.
UV meters normally cost anywhere from $30-$70 depending on brand and model, so it’s well worth checking out your options before parting with any cash. They can be found easily online or from many reptile shops across the US.
Conclusion
How to calibrate a UV meter?
A UV meter is a handy tool for monitoring your reptile’s environment.
It can help you monitor the amount of ultraviolet radiation in their habitat over time so that they are not exposed to too much, which could be harmful to them.
The more information you have about your pet’s surroundings and how it affects them, the better equipped you will be to care for it properly!
