Rethinking UV Monitoring: From Spot Checks to Scientific Measurement

Exciting news! Today we’re launching precision UV measurement for collections care. 

Protecting collections from UV damage requires accurate, continuous measurement, especially in spaces with varying light conditions. Our latest sensor delivers exactly that, with NIST-traceable calibration, 0.001 mW/cm² resolution, alongside revamped data visualization in the Conserv dashboard to show you both absolute power readings and UV-to-light ratios.

Why Traditional UV Monitoring Falls Short

While UV monitoring is a well-established practice in collections care, we think current approaches can be problematic.

Spot checks can miss crucial exposure patterns: Handheld meters only provide a snapshot of conditions, potentially overlooking variations throughout the day, especially in spaces with natural light.  A space maintaining the same UV-to-light ratio could receive dramatically different UV exposure levels throughout the day if lighting conditions vary.

Accuracy at low radiation levels matters: Collections often have some UV filtration, meaning precision at low levels is crucial.  Your spot check is only as good as your meter, and our testing found some commonly trusted UV meters showed inconsistency and inaccuracy at low levels.

Filters degrade over time: Window films and protective coatings don’t last forever. Without continuous monitoring, it’s hard to tell when their effectiveness is fading.

Introducing Conserv’s latest all-in-one smart sensor for enhanced monitoring

The latest SCS 3-5 retains everything great about our current sensor – sleek design, temperature and humidity monitoring, and exceptional LoRaWAN range. 

But now it takes UV monitoring a big step forward.  

• NIST-traceable calibration at 0.001 mW/cm² resolution ensures precision in your monitoring.
• Enhanced dashboard visualizations allow you to toggle between ratio measurements for compliance and absolute power readings for true exposure insights.
• Seamless integration with the Conserv platform lets you analyze UV in correlation with light, temperature, and humidity.

Custom threshold alerts notify you if UV levels fall outside your targets.

Who Benefits Most from Continuous UV Monitoring?

• Spaces with natural light
• Historic buildings
• Collections with strict light budgets
• Areas with aging UV filters

By revealing patterns that spot checks miss, our enhanced UV monitoring enables better-informed decisions about lighting, filter maintenance, and collections care.

Want to explore how continuous UV monitoring could enhance your preservation program?