OL 46D Deuterium Lamp Power Supply by Optronic Laboratories
| Brand | Optronic Laboratories |
|---|---|
| Origin | USA |
| Manufacturer Type | Authorized Distributor |
| Import Status | Imported |
| Model | OL 46D |
| Pricing | Available Upon Request |
Overview
The OL 46D Deuterium Lamp Power Supply is a precision-engineered, laboratory-grade current-regulated power source designed exclusively for stabilizing and operating calibrated ultraviolet (UV) deuterium arc lamps—specifically those used in radiometric and photometric calibration systems. Developed by Optronic Laboratories, a U.S.-based leader in optical metrology instrumentation, the OL 46D implements a two-stage ignition and regulation protocol grounded in fundamental arc discharge physics. It first applies a controlled filament preheat voltage to thermionically condition the cathode, followed by a precisely timed transition to high-voltage DC arc initiation. This sequence ensures consistent cathode emission, minimizes electrode sputtering, and extends lamp service life—critical factors in traceable UV irradiance and spectral radiance calibration workflows where lamp stability directly impacts measurement uncertainty budgets per ISO/IEC 17025 and NIST-traceable protocols.
Key Features
- Two-phase lamp activation sequence: 20-second filament preheat at optimized voltage, followed by automatic 30% reduction in filament voltage and simultaneous application of regulated high-voltage DC (typically ~75–100 V) to initiate and sustain stable deuterium arc discharge.
- High-precision constant-current regulation: Maintains output current at 300 mA ± 0.1% under dynamic load conditions, ensuring reproducible radiant flux output essential for radiometric intercomparisons.
- Real-time arc status monitoring via front-panel LED indicator: Illumination confirms successful arc ignition and stable operation; only during this active arc state does the built-in hour meter increment, providing auditable lamp usage data compliant with GLP documentation requirements.
- Rugged, EMI-shielded chassis engineered for integration into metrology-grade optical benches and calibration laboratories; meets FCC Part 15 Class B and IEC 61326-1 electromagnetic compatibility standards.
- Designed for seamless interoperability with Optronic Laboratories’ reference-standard UV sources including the OL UV40 broadband UV radiance standard and the OL752-12 spectroradiometric calibration system.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The OL 46D is validated for use with standardized 300 mA deuterium lamps conforming to ANSI C78.377 and IEC 60068-2-52 specifications for UV spectral stability and thermal management. It supports lamps with nominal arc lengths between 15 mm and 30 mm and cold resistance profiles typical of quartz-envelope D₂ lamps rated for continuous operation in the 190–400 nm spectral range. The unit complies with safety requirements outlined in UL 61010-1 and EN 61010-1 for electrical equipment used in measurement, control, and laboratory applications. Its operational parameters align with ASTM E275 (Standard Practices for Describing and Measuring Performance of UV–Visible Spectrophotometers) and support traceability chains required under ISO/IEC 17025 accredited calibration laboratories.
Software & Data Management
While the OL 46D operates as a standalone analog power supply with no embedded microcontroller or digital interface, its hour-meter output is TTL-compatible and can be interfaced via optional external signal conditioning modules for integration into laboratory information management systems (LIMS) or automated calibration records. Usage time logs generated by the internal counter satisfy audit requirements for lamp aging documentation under FDA 21 CFR Part 11 when paired with appropriate electronic record validation protocols. No proprietary software is required; however, Optronic Laboratories provides detailed technical documentation—including schematics, timing diagrams, and lamp compatibility matrices—in English-language user manuals aligned with ISO/IEC Guide 99 (VIM) terminology.
Applications
- Radiometric calibration of UV-sensitive detectors, spectroradiometers, and imaging sensors in national metrology institutes and OEM test labs.
- Reference-source excitation in high-accuracy UV–Vis spectrophotometer verification per USP and EP 2.2.25.
- Stabilized UV irradiance generation for accelerated weathering studies (e.g., ISO 4892-2, ASTM G154) requiring certified spectral output consistency.
- Primary standard maintenance in photobiological safety testing (IEC 62471) where lamp aging must be tracked to maintain exposure dose accuracy.
- Traceable UV source operation in environmental monitoring instrument calibration, including NO₂ and SO₂ analyzers relying on UV absorption spectroscopy.
FAQ
Does the OL 46D support remote triggering or analog modulation?
No—the OL 46D is a fixed-output, manually operated power supply with no analog input, digital interface, or external trigger capability.
Can it be used with non-Optronic deuterium lamps?
Only with lamps explicitly rated for 300 mA constant-current operation and compatible ignition voltage profiles; users must verify cathode geometry, gas fill pressure, and thermal dissipation characteristics before integration.
Is the hour meter resettable?
No—the meter is non-resettable and mechanically latched to ensure tamper-evident lamp lifetime tracking for compliance reporting.
What is the recommended warm-up time before radiometric measurements?
A minimum 30-minute thermal stabilization period after arc ignition is advised to achieve <0.2% radiant flux drift, consistent with NIST SP 250-89 guidelines for UV source stability assessment.
Does Optronic Laboratories provide calibration certificates for the OL 46D?
The unit itself is not calibrated; however, Optronic issues factory test reports verifying current regulation accuracy (±0.1% at 300 mA) and timing sequence fidelity against NIST-traceable references.
