What it is

The Equilam EQNA UV is a fluorescent-UV accelerated weathering tester that reproduces sunlight (UV), dew (condensation), and rain (spray and thermal shock) to age non-metallic materials in days or weeks instead of the months or years they would take outdoors. UVa and UVb fluorescent lamps in the 290–400 nm band, the range most damaging to non-metallic materials, drive photodegradation, while condensation and spray cycles add the moisture and thermal-shock stresses of real exposure. It predicts loss of gloss and color, cracking, chalking, embrittlement, and oxidation to ASTM G154, ASTM G151, ISO 4892-3, and related standards, and is offered in three configurations from UV-only to UV plus condensation plus spray.

• Fluorescent-UV accelerated weathering to ASTM G154, ASTM G151, ASTM D4329, ASTM G53, SAE J2020, ISO 4892-3
• Four exposure modes: UV, condensation (dew), spray (rain and thermal shock), and UV plus spray
• UVa/UVb lamps at 313, 340, and 351 nm; UVc (254 nm) and UV421 lamps available
• UV irradiance uniformity ±4% across the sample surface
• UV mode to 176 °F (80 °C); condensation mode to 140 °F (60 °C)
• 48 test specimens (75 × 150 mm, ASTM G154) plus 2 black panels
• 6,000 cm² total exposure area (four 1,500 cm² quadrants)
• 7 in color touch screen; 20 programs, 100 segments; per-mode timers
• Automatic lamp-depreciation compensation; integrated irradiance and black-panel calibration
• Power 208–240 V, single-phase, 60 Hz, 20 A

What it is used for

The EQNA UV accelerates the degradation and aging of non-metallic materials — loss of gloss and color, reduced mechanical strength, blistering, disintegration, and oxidation — for material development and quality assurance. Common uses include:

• Automotive materials and coatings — validating materials under UV (290–400 nm) and identifying maximum wear
• Varnishes and paints — weathering, gloss, and color-fastness evaluation
• Textiles, wood, and cosmetics — durability and appearance testing
• Plastics and rubber — photodegradation and aging studies
• Petrochemicals, research centers, and universities — materials development and comparison

Exposure modes

• UV mode (sunlight). UVa/UVb fluorescent lamps drive photodegradation, from ambient +9 °F (+5 °C) up to 176 °F (80 °C) black-panel temperature.
• Condensation mode (dew). Warm-water vapor condenses on the sample face, from ambient +9 °F (+5 °C) up to 140 °F (60 °C).
• Spray mode (rain and thermal shock). A deionized-water spray applies thermal shock; DI water is used once, not recirculated.
• UV plus spray mode. Combined thermal shock and UV, meeting ASTM G154 cycle 7 among others.

How it holds the test to standard

• Irradiance control and lamp compensation. An irradiance sensor for each pair of lamps holds intensity constant, and the EQNA UV CONTROL software compensates automatically for lamp depreciation, keeping UV uniformity within ±4% of the sample surface and extending lamp life.
• Integrated calibration. EQNA UV CAL provides an on-board radiometer and a standard UV sensor for sensor calibration and verification; EQNA BP CAL validates the two black-panel temperature sensors (side A and side B) against a standard sensor.
• Black-panel temperature control. Two integrated black panels (side A and side B) set and verify temperature uniformity.
• Fresh water, no recirculation. DI water to ASTM D1193 Type IV is used once for spray and disposed of with any contaminants, per ASTM G154, G151, and ISO 4892-3; a 350 L integrated tank feeds the spray and UV-spray modes.
• Operator-safe lid. Opening the lid automatically turns off heating and UV and pauses the running program.
• Self-diagnosis. Alarms for high/low temperature, low tray water, loss of pressurized water, and lamp-irradiation depreciation, each with error details.

Lamps and irradiance

The EQNA UV works with UVa 340, UVa 351, and UVb 313 lamps (and high-intensity 340+, 351+, and 313+ versions), plus UVc 254 nm bactericidal and UV421 lamps, within the range required by ASTM G154, G151, G53, SAE J2020, and ISO 4892-3. Maximum irradiance is 1.70 W/m²·nm at 340 and 351 nm (UVa) and 1.25 W/m²·nm at 313 nm (UVb). Per-lamp intensities and lamp durability are in the Specifications tab.

Why engineers pick it

Constant, monitored irradiance. A sensor per lamp pair and automatic depreciation compensation hold irradiance within ±4% across the sample surface, so results stay comparable over a lamp's life.

It runs the full weathering cycle. UV, condensation, and spray modes combine to meet standard cycles, including ASTM G154 cycle 7.

On-board calibration. An integrated radiometer and black-panel temperature calibration (EQNA UV CAL, EQNA BP CAL) verify sensors without shipping the chamber out.

Broad material and standard coverage. Standards span paint, plastics, adhesives, rubber, sealants, textiles, and photovoltaics, listed in full in the Specifications tab.

Documented, controllable runs. A 7 in touch screen, 20 programs and 100 segments, per-mode and partial timers, and optional .CSV data export.

Choosing a configuration and ordering

The EQNA UV comes in three configurations: UV (UV mode), UV COND (UV plus condensation), and UV COND SPRAY (UV plus condensation plus spray and UV/spray). Lamp type — UVa 340 or 351, UVb 313, the high-intensity versions, UVc, or UV421 — is selected to the test standard. A 350 L integrated DI-water tank is available for spray and UV-spray modes, and 3D sample supports handle parts up to 70 mm or 150 mm deep.

Full model differences, lamp data, and accessories are in the Specifications tab. Select the configuration and lamps for your standard on this page. For the integrated water tank, 3D supports, supervisory data-acquisition software, or a calibration certificate, contact W5 Engineering and we will configure and quote it with you.