The key element of a UVB lamp is the PL-S 9W/01/2P tube. It produces narrow waveband emissions: between 305 and 315 nm with a peak at 311 nm - an effective waveband for the treatment of vitiligo.
Since the narrow band UV tube uses the same lamp caps and ballasts as general lighting lamps, we can fit the tube in a common desk-lamp and obtain the same beneficial results as we would from a dedicated UV lamp.
What parts do you need:
- A desk lamp with G23 socket
- PL-S 9W/01/2P tube
- (optional) a better ballast to replace the original ballast of the lamp
In the following example I have replaced the default ballast with a Vossloh Schwabe L7/9/11.851 ballast. I have decided to perform this change because a cheap ballast could reduce the lifetime of the UV tube. Depending on the ballast that comes with the desk-lamp you may or may not need to replace it.
I've opened the base box of the desk lamp and found that the default ballast was poor quality to say the least. I've then desoldered the two connections and placed the new ballast in. Fortunately the base box was large enough to accommodate this slightly larger ballast.
After reconnecting the new ballast I've secured it in palce with two bolts. The I've closed the lamp base and replaced the standard lighting tube with the PL-S 9W/01/2P narrow band UV tube.
