The Lamp Spectra and Irradiance Measurement Database
General Information
The database contains measured values of irradiance and spectral power distribution of various lamps. The broadbandmeter or spectrometer used are shown next to each measurement and some basic information about the meters are given.
The measured values correspond to single lamp samples, that may have different properties due to - partly unavoidable - fluctuations in production. The lamp samples belong to the individual lamps, which are related to a lamptype and a company. This way of sorting offers an easy way to sort the database.
For every measurement the ballast that was used and the person who performed the measurement are given. Often these people give some information in their profile or on their private website on how they perform their measurements.
Please consider that most measurements are done by laymen. People who provide measurements for this database usually can not afford a professional laboratory environment nor do they have professional education and instruction for the use of the meters. The meters themselves may also be of lower quality than professional equipment. The database often contains only a small number of samples taken from one batch. Whether the measured values from one sample will be similar to those of another sample from the same or another batch can not be predicted. Fluctuations during production process from batch to batch prevent general statements about lamps. Due to different method of operation and different specification of the meters, results from different people or different meters are only comparable to a limited extent.
The database therefore does not give any recommendation for the use of lamps for reptile keeping or about the quality and suitability of lamps. The database only offers a collection of data, that aim to form a basis for an individual decision together with information provided by the manufacturer and personal experience. Above all general recommendations are impossible as different applications may need different lamps. We recommend would-be distributors to have lamps tested by independent professional institutions - the data in the database are not comparable to this type of measurement. (Even so, the same limitations apply when only a small sample is tested professionally.)
Finding Data
Search Function
Related Measurements
To find test results for a specific lamp, for example the Arcadia D3 Reptile Lamp 18W, it is probably best to start from companies. In the overview page, click on the name, id or the view-button of your company (Arcadia) to view the page of this company.
On the next page you see all information about Arcadia and all lamps in the database belonging to the company Arcadia. At the bottom of the page, you can choose to see all test results for all Arcadia lamps, but we are only interested in the D3 Reptile Lamp 18W, so click on the id, title or the view-button of this lamp.
On the next page you see general information about this lamp, a list of all lamp samples of this lamp that have been tested yet, and again the link to all measurements of this specific lamp. Follow the link to see all test results.
Adding Irradiancemeasurements
To add a new irradiancemeasurement, go to “Measurements / Irradiancemeasurement / add“
The following form can be used to add several measurements for one lampsample as well as the lampsample itself and the related lamp. Originator, Ballast, Broadbandmeter, Company, and Lamptype have to be already in the database or added via the respective forms. Links are given at the top of the page.
(1) The code of the lampsample
(1A) If the lampsample is already in the database: You can choose from two dropdown menus, one sorted by code, the other by lamp name. You only need to select one of them.
(1B): If the lampsample has not yet been included into the database, you can add it now:
(1B - 1): Code of the lampsample: Every lampsample needs a unique indentification code. Often we use an abbreviation that is a compination of the name of the originator, the name of the lamp and a consecutive number.
(1B - 2): approximate date of purchase. If the measurement is viewed at a later time, this date can indicate whether the measurement still holds for lamps now on sale.
(1B - 3): Description of the lampsample. Put everything that is special for this lampsample here. For example:
- inhomogeneous reflection coating
- discharge vessel not symmetric inside the reflector
- lamp has been associated with a case of photoceratitis
(1B - 4): Related Lamp
(1B - 4A): If the lamp is already in the database, choose from the dropdown menu
(1B - 4B): If the lamp has not yet been included into the database, add it here:
(1B - 4B - 1): Name of the lamp together with power and, for tubes, T5 or T8. For example "Powersun UV 100W" or "Solar Reptil Sun T8 18W"
(1B - 4B - 2): Description of the lamp: Anything that is special about the lamp: For example Production time of and difference between different batches.
(1B - 4B - 3): Related Company
(1B - 4B - 4): Related Lamptype
(2): Ballast used for the measurement
(3): Originator of the measurement
(4): Actual measurement:
(4A): Individual measurement: Used broadbandmeter, distance and age of the lamp, measured value
(4B): Several measurements at different distances, ages and (maximum three) broadbandmeters. See next section for a detailed description.
(5): Comments to the measurement. For example
- Voltage fluctuations during measurement
- used reflector
- measurement through a transparent material (terrarium glass or other)
Data has to be added in tabular form with columns: distance – age – value broadbandmeter1 – value broadbandmeter2 – value broadbandmeter 3
(1) If you have your data in an excel table they might have the wrong format. Excel can transpose tables. To do so: mark the area and copy it
(2) insert it choosing the option “paste special” to paste the copied area
(3) In the next dialogue chose "transpose”.
(4) The transposed table is inserted.
(5) Bring the table in the right format with columns distance – age – values
(6) Copy the table
(7) Insert it into the form of the lampdatabase
(8) Chose the right broadbandmeters. The first column with values has to match the first broadbandmeter, the second column the second broadbandmeter.
