Zoo Med UVB Meter Unit
Part no.
ZM001
Zoo Med UVB Meter Unit
Tracks the raw UVB output of a lamp in µW/cm², the figure that tells you when a bulb has faded past useful strength. The Zoo Med UVB Meter Unit (ZM001) is a handheld digital radiometer built around the same measurement engine as Solarmeter's Model 6.2 UVB meter, reading UVB irradiance directly rather than a species-weighted index. It's the tool for confirming a bulb's actual output over time, not just trusting its "replace every X months" printed date.
Key features
- Reads raw UVB irradiance — 0–1999 µW/cm², so you can track a specific lamp's output as it ages rather than relying on a generic replacement schedule.
- Narrow-band UVB sensitivity — a silicon carbide photodiode behind a UV-glass window and interference filter responds to 280–320 nm, the UVB band, rather than the full UV spectrum.
- 3.5-digit LCD with 1 µW/cm² resolution — fine enough to catch gradual decline, not just a bulb that's failed outright.
- Fast sample rate — 3 readings per second, so repositioning the meter at different distances gives a quick before/after comparison.
- Long battery life — a single 9 V battery lasts roughly two years of typical use.
Specifications
| Measurement range | 0–1999 µW/cm² UVB |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 1 µW/cm² |
| Spectral sensitivity | 280–320 nm (UVB band) |
| Accuracy | ±10% (NIST reference) |
| Sample rate | 3 readings per second |
| Display | 3.5-digit LCD |
| Power | 1 x 9 V battery |
| Dimensions | 105 x 60 x 22 mm |
| Weight | 110 g |
| Operating range | 0–40°C, 5–80% RH |
| Sensor | Silicon carbide photodiode, UV-glass window, virgin Teflon diffuser |
Suitable for, and not suitable for
Suited to confirming the relative decay of a fluorescent or mercury vapour UVB lamp over time, so replacement is based on measured output rather than a printed date alone, and to comparing output at different distances or through mesh.
Not suited to giving a direct read against species-specific UV Index target ranges — those are published on a weighted UV Index scale, which is what the Zoo Med UVB Index Meter (ZM002) reads instead. Don't point any UV meter, or your eyes, directly into an unshielded mercury vapour UVB bulb at close range.
Care and maintenance
Keep the sensor window clean with a dry, soft cloth only — solvents can damage the UV glass and Teflon diffuser. Store out of direct sunlight and moisture, and replace the 9 V battery if readings become erratic or the display dims.
Goes well with
Useful alongside any fluorescent or mercury vapour UVB lamp for tracking output decline, and complements the Zoo Med UVB Index Meter (ZM002) where a weighted UV Index reading against species targets is also wanted.
Common questions
What does this meter measure, and how is it different from a UV Index meter?
It reads raw UVB irradiance in µW/cm² across the 280–320 nm band, rather than a Vitamin D-weighted UV Index figure. It's the better tool for tracking a specific bulb's output decline; a UV Index meter is the better tool for checking against species target ranges.
How do I use it to know when to replace a UVB bulb?
Take a baseline reading at a fixed distance when the bulb is new, then repeat the same measurement periodically at the same distance. A falling µW/cm² figure shows the bulb's UVB output declining, even before the visible light output looks any different.
How accurate is it?
±10% against a NIST reference, with 1 µW/cm² resolution across a 0–1999 µW/cm² range.
How long does the battery last?
Around two years of typical use from a single 9 V battery.
Can I use it outdoors to check natural sunlight?
The sensor responds to the same 280–320 nm UVB band outdoors as it does indoors, but readings in direct sunlight will be far higher than anything a terrarium lamp produces — it's designed primarily as a lamp-output tool.
