UV Lamp Sterilizer Trolley: Do You Understand All These Practical Questions?

I. How Does It Achieve Sterilization? What Key Information Lies in Its Core Principles and Structure?

The reason why UV lamp sterilizer trolleys play an important role in the field of disinfection lies in their efficient and residue-free mechanism for destroying microorganisms. From a scientific perspective, these devices mainly rely on short-wave ultraviolet rays in the UVC band (200-280nm) to function. The photon energy of this band is extremely high, enabling it to directly penetrate the cell membranes of microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses and act on their internal DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) or RNA (ribonucleic acid) molecules. When ultraviolet rays irradiate these genetic materials, they break the hydrogen bonds in the nucleic acid chains, causing irreversible changes in the structure of DNA or RNA—for example, breaking the DNA chain or forming thymine dimers. This structural damage directly prevents microorganisms from normally replicating genetic information, thereby losing their metabolic capacity and reproductive ability, and ultimately becoming completely inactive. According to tests by authoritative institutions, when used correctly, high-quality UV lamp sterilizer trolleys can achieve a sterilization rate of over 99.9% for common pathogenic bacteria (such as Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus) and viruses (such as influenza viruses and COVID-19 viruses). Throughout the disinfection process, no chemical disinfectants need to be added, eliminating the risk of secondary pollution from residues like formaldehyde and chlorine-containing disinfectants, and thus posing far fewer potential risks to the environment and human health compared to traditional chemical disinfection methods.

In terms of device structure, the stable disinfection efficiency relies on the coordinated operation of four core components, and the design and material selection of each component contain "hidden secrets". Firstly, the UV lamp tube is the "core weapon" for disinfection. High-quality products usually use high-purity quartz glass as the lamp tube shell. Compared with ordinary glass, quartz glass has a transmittance of over 90% for UVC band ultraviolet rays, which can minimize the loss of ultraviolet rays inside the lamp tube. At the same time, quartz glass has stronger high-temperature resistance and aging resistance, ensuring that the lamp tube maintains stable radiation intensity during long-term use (usually 2000-3000 hours). The mercury vapor content and electrode material inside the lamp tube also affect its performance: high-purity mercury vapor ensures stable ultraviolet output, while tungsten electrodes can extend the service life of the lamp tube. Secondly, the reflective layer on the inner wall of the trolley body—most devices use mirror stainless steel or high-reflective aluminum foil as the inner wall material. These materials have a reflectivity of over 80% for UVC band ultraviolet rays, allowing the ultraviolet rays emitted by the lamp tube to form multiple reflections inside the trolley compartment, covering a 360° space around the device. This effectively reduces disinfection dead corners that cannot be reached by direct light, especially for areas such as corners and gaps that are difficult to disinfect with traditional methods. Thirdly, some mid-to-high-end devices are equipped with a pre-air filtration system, which usually adopts a two-layer filter design (primary filter + medium-efficiency filter). The primary filter can filter dust, hair, and large particle impurities in the air, preventing these pollutants from adhering to the surface of the lamp tube and affecting ultraviolet output. The medium-efficiency filter further filters fine dust and some microorganisms in the air, allowing the air entering the disinfection area to undergo preliminary purification first, and then combined with UV disinfection to significantly improve the final disinfection effect. This is particularly suitable for industrial workshops with high dust levels or public places with poor air quality. Finally, the timing control system is crucial for ensuring operational convenience and safety. The timing range of mainstream devices is usually 0-60 minutes, supporting adjustment accurate to 1 minute. Some devices are also equipped with a remote control, allowing operators to start and set the timing outside the disinfection area, avoiding close contact with ultraviolet rays. In addition, some devices are added with functions such as overload protection and lamp life reminder. When the device has excessive current or the lamp tube is approaching the end of its service life, it will automatically issue an alarm or shut down, further enhancing the safety of use.

II. Which Places Need It Most? How Does the Usage Logic Differ in Different Scenarios?

Thanks to their flexible mobility and efficient disinfection capabilities, UV lamp sterilizer trolleys have been widely used in various fields. However, the usage needs and operational logic vary significantly across different places, requiring targeted disinfection plans based on the characteristics of each scenario.

In medical and health institutions, UV lamp sterilizer trolleys are important tools for preventing cross-infection, especially suitable for key areas such as operating rooms, ICUs (Intensive Care Units), general wards, and laboratories. Operating rooms and ICUs have the strictest requirements for disinfection. They not only need to kill microorganisms in the air but also disinfect the surfaces of surgical instruments and monitoring equipment. Therefore, high-power devices with a radiation intensity of ≥30μW/cm² (at a distance of 1 meter) should be selected, and the disinfection time is usually set to 30-40 minutes. For example, after daily surgeries in the operating room, the device should be pushed to the center of the room, the angle of the lamp arm adjusted to cover key areas such as the operating table and instrument cabinet, the doors and windows closed, and disinfection started. After disinfection, ventilation is required for 30 minutes before preparing for the next round of operations. For general wards, the disinfection frequency should be adjusted according to the type of patients: for wards with ordinary patients, disinfection can be carried out once a day for 20-30 minutes each time; for wards with infectious disease patients, terminal disinfection should be carried out immediately after the patient is discharged, with the disinfection time extended to 40-50 minutes. At the same time, high-frequency contact surfaces such as bedside tables, bed rails, and door handles should be given priority for irradiation.

In schools and kindergartens, the core of disinfection is to protect children's health, so focus should be placed on areas and items that children frequently come into contact with, such as classroom desks and chairs, toys, dormitory beds, and bathroom handrails. Since children's skin and eyes are relatively sensitive, disinfection operations must be carried out outside of class and activity hours, usually after school or at night. When disinfecting classrooms, push the device to the center of the classroom, adjust the height of the lamp arm to 1.5-2 meters above the desktop to ensure that ultraviolet rays can evenly cover the surface of each desk, and set the disinfection time to 25-30 minutes. For items such as plush toys and dolls, they should be laid flat on the desktop without stacking to ensure that every surface can be irradiated by ultraviolet rays. Bathrooms in kindergartens need to be disinfected twice a day (once in the morning and once in the evening), 20 minutes each time, with focus on irradiating areas such as hand basins and toilet seats. In addition, areas such as school libraries and laboratories also need regular disinfection. Libraries can be disinfected 1-2 times a month, focusing on irradiating bookshelf surfaces and book covers; laboratories should be disinfected after each experiment to avoid cross-contamination between chemical reagent residues and microorganisms.

In food processing plants and the catering industry, the focus of disinfection is to ensure food safety, requiring strict disinfection procedures for production workshops, packaging areas, raw material warehouses, and canteen kitchens. Disinfection of production workshops should be carried out after production ends. At this time, food residues on the ground and equipment surfaces should be cleaned, the workshop doors and windows closed, and the UV lamp sterilizer trolley pushed to 3-4 evenly distributed points in the workshop (the number of points is adjusted according to the workshop area, usually 1 point per 50 square meters). Each point is disinfected for 20-25 minutes to ensure that bacteria in the air and microorganisms on the equipment surfaces are killed, preventing food from being contaminated during processing. The packaging area needs to be disinfected twice a day, focusing on irradiating the surfaces of packaging machines and conveyor belts to prevent packaging materials from carrying microorganisms during contact. Raw material warehouses should be disinfected once a week for 30 minutes each time to prevent raw materials from becoming moldy and deteriorating during storage. For canteen kitchens, disinfection should be carried out after daily business hours, focusing on irradiating areas such as operation platforms, kitchen utensils, and refrigerator door handles, with the disinfection time set to 20 minutes. At the same time, attention should be paid to avoiding direct ultraviolet irradiation of food raw materials and tableware (tableware can be disinfected after being stored).

In public places such as shopping malls, subways, and hotels, the disinfection need lies in addressing the high risk of microbial transmission due to large passenger flow, requiring a cyclic disinfection mode. Shopping malls can be disinfected once before daily business hours and once after closing, focusing on areas such as elevator entrances, escalator handrails, rest area seats, and fitting rooms, with each disinfection lasting 20-25 minutes. Subway stations can disinfect platforms and the interior of carriages during operation intervals (such as between morning and evening peaks). When disinfecting carriages, push the device to the center of the carriage, adjust the angle of the lamp arm to cover areas such as seats, handrails, and the inner side of doors, with each disinfection lasting 15-20 minutes to ensure that normal operations are not affected. Hotels should immediately disinfect guest rooms after guests check out, focusing on irradiating areas such as beds, bedside tables, bathrooms, and air conditioning vents, with the disinfection time set to 25-30 minutes. At the same time, open the guest room windows, and ventilate for 30 minutes after disinfection before welcoming new guests.

III. What Preparations Must Be Made Before Use? How to Ensure Safety Protection?

Making adequate preparations before using a UV lamp sterilizer trolley is the prerequisite for standardized use. This not only ensures the disinfection effect but also effectively avoids safety accidents. The preparation work mainly includes three aspects: equipment inspection, environment preparation, and personal protection.

Equipment inspection is the first step to ensure disinfection safety, requiring a check in the order of "first appearance, then function". First, check the appearance of the device: inspect whether the UV lamp tube has cracks, damage, or air leakage. If there are obvious dark spots or blackening on the surface of the lamp tube, it indicates that the lamp tube has aged and needs to be replaced in a timely manner. Check whether the power cord and control line have exposed, aged, or damaged parts. If the outer skin of the power cord is cracked or the plug is loose, stop using the device immediately and replace it with a qualified power cord. Check whether the device shell is deformed or loose, whether the wheels are flexible, and whether the brake function is normal to ensure that the device will not tip over or slide during movement. Second, check the device functions: after plugging in the power, check whether the indicator lights on the control panel light up normally and whether the timer can be set and count down normally. After starting the device, observe whether the lamp tube can emit light normally (the lamp tube should emit light blue light during normal operation). If the lamp tube does not emit light or emits light unevenly, check whether the connection between the lamp tube and the lamp holder is firm or contact professional personnel for maintenance. For devices equipped with a remote control, test whether the start, stop, and timing functions of the remote control work normally to avoid operational inconvenience due to remote control failure. In addition, check whether the device accessories are complete, such as the operation manual, protective glasses, and cleaning tools. If key accessories are missing, supplement them in a timely manner before use.

Environment preparation directly affects the disinfection effect, requiring efforts in three links: "cleaning - sealing - light avoidance". First, clean the disinfection area: remove debris and obstructions (such as cartons, clothes, furniture) in the area to prevent these items from blocking ultraviolet irradiation and forming disinfection dead corners. For items on the desktop, organize them neatly and place them flat. If there are items that are not resistant to ultraviolet rays (such as plastic toys, colored paper), transfer them to other areas in advance to prevent discoloration or deformation caused by ultraviolet irradiation. Clean the dust and garbage on the ground to avoid dust flying during disinfection and affecting the disinfection effect. Second, ensure the space is sealed: close the doors and windows of the disinfection area, check whether the gaps around the doors and windows are well-sealed. If there are large gaps, seal them with sealing strips or tape to prevent ultraviolet rays from leaking through the gaps and harming people outside. Turn off ventilation equipment (such as air conditioners, exhaust fans) in the area to avoid air flow causing the spread of microorganisms and affecting the disinfection effect. Third, carry out light avoidance treatment: turn off all lights in the disinfection area (including fluorescent lamps, incandescent lamps, LED lamps, etc.), because visible light will interfere with the disinfection effect of ultraviolet rays, especially reducing the bactericidal efficiency of UVC band ultraviolet rays. Ensure that the disinfection process is carried out in a dark environment.

Personal protection is of utmost importance when using a UV lamp sterilizer trolley. Operators must strictly follow standards to wear personal protective equipment to avoid harm to the human body from ultraviolet rays. Operators should wear national standard-compliant protective equipment: first, protective glasses. They should choose special protective glasses that can block UVC band ultraviolet rays to prevent direct ultraviolet irradiation of the eyes, which may cause eye diseases such as conjunctivitis and keratitis. Second, protective clothing. It is recommended to wear long-sleeved, long-legged cotton or chemical fiber protective clothing to cover exposed parts of the body such as the neck, arms, and legs, preventing direct contact between the skin and ultraviolet rays, which may cause skin redness, peeling, or burns. Third, gloves. Wear acid and alkali-resistant, UV-proof rubber gloves to protect the skin of the hands and facilitate device operation. For some devices that produce ozone during operation, operators also need to wear protective masks (such as N95 masks) to avoid inhaling excessive ozone and causing respiratory discomfort. In addition, obvious warning signs should be placed at the entrance of the disinfection area. The signs should be marked with "UV disinfection in progress, no entry" and equipped with warning lights or warning lines to remind unrelated personnel not to enter. If the disinfection area is located in a place with large personnel flow (such as hospital corridors, school corridors), arrange for a dedicated person to be on duty at the entrance to prevent people from entering by mistake. During disinfection, operators should control the device through the remote control or control panel outside the area to avoid staying in the disinfection area. If it is necessary to enter the area to check the device status, ensure that the protective equipment is worn properly and minimize the stay time (no more than 1 minute).

IV. What Are the Precautions for Operational Steps? How to Avoid the Mistake of "Ineffective Disinfection"?

Although the operation process of a UV lamp sterilizer trolley seems simple, each step has strict specifications and precautions. Only by following the correct steps can the disinfection effect be ensured, and safety accidents caused by improper operation be avoided.

After completing the preparation work before operation, enter the formal operation link, which needs to be carried out step by step in the process of "positioning - setting - starting - monitoring - finishing". The first step is device positioning: push the UV lamp sterilizer trolley to a suitable position in the disinfection area, usually the central position of the area, and at least 1 meter away from walls, furniture, and other objects. This ensures that ultraviolet rays are evenly distributed in the area and reduces irradiation dead corners. If the disinfection area is large (over 50 square meters), the device needs to be moved to multiple points for disinfection respectively. The coverage area of each point is centered on the device, with a radius of 3-5 meters, to ensure that the entire area can be irradiated by ultraviolet rays. Adjust the angle of the lamp arm and set the appropriate angle according to the disinfection target (air or object surface). If the main goal is air disinfection, the lamp arm can be directed vertically upward; if the main goal is object surface disinfection, the lamp arm can be adjusted to an angle of 45°-60° with the object surface to ensure that ultraviolet rays can directly irradiate the object surface. The second step is parameter setting: plug in the device power, set the disinfection time on the control panel. The disinfection time needs to be determined comprehensively based on the area of the disinfection area, the degree of pollution, and the device power. For small spaces of 10-15 square meters with light pollution, setting 15-20 minutes is sufficient; for medium-sized spaces of 15-30 square meters, set 20-25 minutes; for large spaces of over 30 square meters, set 25-30 minutes. If there is obvious pollution in the area (such as after the stay of infectious disease patients), the disinfection time can be appropriately extended to 30-40 minutes, but it should not exceed 60 minutes to avoid excessive irradiation. The third step is starting the device: after confirming again that no one is staying in the disinfection area and there are no pets or UV-sensitive items, start the device through the control panel or remote control. The operator should immediately evacuate to outside the area, close the door, and place a warning sign at the entrance. The fourth step is process monitoring: during disinfection, the operator should monitor the device operation status through the observation window (if available) or device indicator lights outside the area. If abnormalities occur in the device (such as sudden extinguishment of the lamp tube, flashing indicator lights, or abnormal noise), confirm that no one is in the area first, then enter the area with proper protective equipment to turn off the device and check the cause of the fault. Do not enter the area without protection. The fifth step is finishing work: after the disinfection time ends, the device will stop running automatically. At this time, do not enter the area immediately. If the device produces ozone, wait for 20-30 minutes, open the doors and windows for ventilation, and enter the area after the ozone concentration drops to the safety standard (≤0.1mg/m³). After entering the area, first turn off the device power and unplug the plug,then wipe the device shell and lamp tube surface with a clean soft cloth, and organize the items in the disinfection area to restore the area to its normal state.

In the operation process, it is necessary to be alert to several misunderstandings that lead to "ineffective disinfection", as these misunderstandings may result in incomplete disinfection and failure to achieve the expected effect. The first misunderstanding is "the longer the time, the better the effect". Some users believe that extending the disinfection time can improve the bactericidal effect, but this is not the case. When the disinfection time reaches a certain threshold, most microorganisms in the area have been killed, and further extending the time not only fails to significantly improve the sterilization rate but also accelerates the aging of the UV lamp tube, shortens its service life, and increases energy consumption. For example, for a 15-square-meter room, setting a 20-minute disinfection time can achieve a 99.9% sterilization rate; if extended to 60 minutes, the sterilization rate only increases by 0.05%, but the lamp tube life will be reduced by 20%. The second misunderstanding is "it doesn't matter where the device is placed". If the device is placed in a corner or near an obstruction, ultraviolet rays will not be able to cover the entire area, resulting in large disinfection dead corners. For instance, pushing the device to the corner will prevent the area opposite the corner from being irradiated by ultraviolet rays, leaving microorganisms in that area unkilled. The third misunderstanding is "ignoring item stacking". If items are stacked in the disinfection area (such as piling clothes on a chair or books on a bookshelf), the inner parts of the stack will not be irradiated by ultraviolet rays, forming disinfection dead corners. For example, a large number of bacteria may remain inside stacked towels, posing a transmission risk even after disinfection. The fourth misunderstanding is "entering the area immediately after disinfection". Some devices produce ozone during operation, which has a pungent odor. If you enter the area immediately after disinfection, inhaling excessive ozone can cause respiratory symptoms such as coughing, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing. At the same time, the unventilated area may retain a small amount of unkilled microorganisms, affecting the disinfection effect. The fifth misunderstanding is "using the lamp tube without cleaning it first". If the surface of the lamp tube is covered with dust or dirt, the transmittance of ultraviolet rays will be reduced, leading to a decrease in radiation intensity. For example, a thin layer of dust on the lamp tube surface can reduce the ultraviolet output intensity by more than 30%, making it impossible to achieve the expected bactericidal effect even if the disinfection time is sufficient.

V. How to Perform Daily Maintenance? What Are the Tips for Maintaining Lamp Tubes and Filters?

Daily maintenance of UV lamp sterilizer trolleys is crucial for extending the device's service life and ensuring stable disinfection effects. A maintenance system of "regular cleaning - key maintenance - standardized storage" should be established, with particular attention to the maintenance of the two core components: lamp tubes and filters.

Daily cleaning of the device should include "cleaning after each use + deep cleaning once a week" to ensure the device's appearance is clean and free from dust and dirt accumulation. Cleaning after each use: After disinfection, wait for the device to cool down to room temperature (usually 10-15 minutes), then gently wipe the surface of the device shell with a clean soft cloth (such as a microfiber cloth) to remove dust and dirt. For the control panel and buttons, wipe them with a soft cloth dipped in a small amount of warm water to avoid water seeping into the internal circuit, and then dry the surface with a dry cloth. Check if there is dust on the lamp tube surface; if there is slight dust, wipe it gently with a dry soft cloth, but do not rub hard to prevent damage to the lamp tube surface. Deep cleaning once a week: Prepare a basin of warm water, add a small amount of neutral detergent (such as dish soap, neutral laundry detergent), stir evenly, then dip a soft cloth in the diluted detergent and gently wipe the device shell, wheels, lamp arm, and other parts to remove stubborn dirt. For the bottom of the device and the wheel bearings, use a small brush (such as a toothbrush) to clean dust and debris to ensure the wheels rotate flexibly. After cleaning, wipe the device surface with a clean damp cloth to remove detergent residues, then dry it with a dry cloth to prevent rust or corrosion on the device surface. It should be noted that the device power must be disconnected during cleaning; do not clean it while it is powered on. Avoid using organic solvents (such as alcohol, acetone, gasoline) or acid-alkaline detergents (such as white vinegar, bleach) to clean the device, as these detergents can corrode the device shell coating and damage the lamp tube and circuit components. If there is oil or difficult-to-remove dirt on the device surface, first soak the soft cloth in warm water for 1-2 minutes, then gently wipe it; do not use a hard brush or scraper to scrape, to prevent damage to the device surface.

The lamp tube is the core disinfection component of the device, and the quality of its maintenance directly affects the disinfection effect. Maintenance should be carried out from three aspects: "daily cleaning - regular inspection - timely replacement". Daily cleaning: Clean the lamp tube thoroughly once a month. Before operation, disconnect the device power and wait for the lamp tube to cool completely (to avoid lamp tube breakage due to cleaning at high temperatures). Wipe the lamp tube in one direction along its length with a dust-free cloth or medical cotton pad dipped in 75% medical alcohol. Do not rub back and forth to prevent dust particles from scratching the quartz glass on the lamp tube surface, which would affect the transmittance of ultraviolet rays. Wipe gently; if there are stubborn stains (such as oil stains), let the alcohol stay on the stain for 10-15 seconds to soften the stain before gently wiping, ensuring no residues remain on the lamp tube surface. After cleaning, wait for the alcohol to evaporate completely (about 5-10 minutes) before reinstalling the lamp tube to avoid malfunctions when the lamp tube is powered on due to residual alcohol.

Regular inspection is the key to detecting lamp tube problems in a timely manner: Observe the luminous state of the lamp tube once a week. During normal operation, the lamp tube should emit uniform light blue light. If the light emission is uneven, the ends turn black, or the brightness decreases significantly, it indicates that the lamp tube has signs of aging. Record the usage time and prepare a spare lamp tube in advance. Test the radiation intensity of the lamp tube with a UV radiometer once a month (at a detection distance of 1 meter). When the radiation intensity is lower than 20μW/cm², even if the lamp tube has not reached its rated service life (usually 2000-3000 hours), it must be replaced immediately—because at this time, the bactericidal ability of the lamp tube has decreased significantly and cannot meet the disinfection requirements. When replacing the lamp tube, note: Select a dedicated UVC lamp tube that matches the device model; do not mix lamp tubes of different powers or specifications. Wear clean gloves before installation to prevent oil from fingers contaminating the lamp tube surface, which would affect its service life. Ensure the lamp tube is firmly connected to the lamp holder during installation to avoid poor contact due to looseness.

Filter maintenance frequency should be adjusted according to the device type (whether it has a filtration system) and usage scenario, with the core being "regular cleaning + replacement as needed". For devices equipped with primary filters: If the usage environment has less dust (such as hospital wards, hotel rooms), the filter can be removed and cleaned once every 2 weeks; if the usage environment has more dust (such as food processing workshop, shopping mall hall), it needs to be cleaned once a week. When cleaning, first open the device's filter compartment door, take out the filter, and blow air from the back of the filter (air inlet side) to the front with an air compressor (pressure controlled at 0.2-0.3MPa) to remove dust attached to the surface. If the filter is relatively dirty, it can be gently rinsed in clean water (water temperature not exceeding 40℃), avoiding vigorous rubbing to prevent deformation of the filter fibers. After rinsing, lay the filter flat in a cool and ventilated place to air dry; do not expose it to the sun or dry it (high temperature will damage the filter structure and reduce the filtering effect). Reinstall the filter only after it is completely dry.

For devices equipped with medium-efficiency filters: The cleaning frequency of medium-efficiency filters should be half that of primary filters, usually once every 4 weeks. The cleaning method is the same as that of primary filters, but it should be noted that the service life of medium-efficiency filters is usually 3-6 months. Even with regular cleaning, when the service life reaches the upper limit or the filter is damaged, deformed, or the filtering effect decreases significantly (such as dust still entering the device interior during operation), it must be replaced with a new filter immediately and cannot be used continuously. When replacing the filter, check if the sealing rubber strip of the filter compartment is intact. If the rubber strip is aged or falls off, replace it simultaneously to prevent unfiltered air from directly entering the device interior and affecting the disinfection effect.

Standardized storage of the device also affects its service life and should follow the principle of "dry, ventilated, and light-proof". For short-term storage (not used within 1 week): Wipe the device clean, turn off the power switch, unplug the plug, and place it in a dry and ventilated indoor area, avoiding proximity to water sources (such as hand basins, humidifiers) or heat sources (such as heaters, air conditioning vents). For long-term storage (not used for more than 1 month): First, perform a comprehensive cleaning of the device (including lamp tubes, filters, and shell), replace aged lamp tubes and filters, then cover the entire device with a clean dust cover to prevent dust accumulation. The storage environment temperature should be controlled between 5-35℃, and the relative humidity should not exceed 60% to avoid moisture causing rust on the device's internal circuit or high temperature accelerating the aging of plastic components. In addition, lock the device wheels during storage to prevent accidental sliding and collision damage to the device. If the device has detachable components (such as remote control, spare lamp tube), store them separately in a dry sealed bag together with the device body to prevent loss.

VI. What to Do If Disinfection Effect Is Poor? How to Quickly Troubleshoot Common Faults?

When it is found that there are still microbial residues after disinfection (such as bacterial exceeding the standard detected) or there is an obvious odor in the disinfection area, it is necessary to gradually troubleshoot from three dimensions: "device status - operation process - environmental factors" to find the root cause and solve it targeted.

First, troubleshoot the device status: Step 1, check the lamp tube. Check if the lamp tube is aged (ends turn black, brightness decreases) or installed correctly (whether it is loose). If the disinfection effect is poor due to lamp tube problems, replace the lamp tube immediately. Step 2, check the filter. If the filter is blocked or not installed, air circulation will be poor, and microorganisms cannot fully contact with ultraviolet rays. Clean or replace the filter. Step 3, check the reflective layer. If the reflective layer on the inner wall of the device is oxidized or peeled off (such as mirror stainless steel rusting, aluminum foil damage), the ultraviolet reflectivity will be reduced, forming disinfection dead corners. Contact professional personnel to repair or replace the reflective layer—during daily use, avoid collision with the reflective layer with hard objects, and wipe it gently with a soft cloth when cleaning to prevent damage.

Second, review the operation process: Confirm whether the disinfection time is sufficient (such as whether the time is extended according to the standard for large spaces), whether the device placement position is reasonable (whether it is close to obstructions), and whether the disinfection area is sealed (whether doors and windows are closed tightly). For example, if doors and windows are not closed tightly during disinfection, external air will enter, diluting the ultraviolet concentration, and microorganisms may enter the disinfection area with air flow, resulting in incomplete disinfection. If the device is placed in a corner, the ultraviolet radiation intensity in the opposite area will be insufficient. It is necessary to readjust the device position and redo the disinfection according to the standard. In addition, confirm whether the area was cleaned of debris before disinfection—if items are stacked or obstructions are not removed, a large number of disinfection dead corners will be formed. It is necessary to clean the area again and then disinfect it.

Third, analyze environmental factors: If the humidity in the disinfection area is high (relative humidity exceeding 70%), it will affect the penetration of ultraviolet rays and reduce the bactericidal effect. First, use a dehumidifier to reduce the environmental humidity (control it between 40%-60%), then perform disinfection. If there are organic pollutants (such as blood stains, food residues) in the disinfection area, these pollutants will absorb ultraviolet rays, causing microorganisms to be shielded. Clean the pollutants thoroughly with a detergent first, and disinfect after the area is dry.

Quick troubleshooting of common faults should follow the principle of "simple first, complex later; external first, internal later" to avoid blind disassembly of the device. Fault 1: The device has no response after being powered on (indicator lights do not turn on, cannot be started). Troubleshooting steps: ① Check if the power socket is normally powered (test with other electrical appliances). If the socket has no power, repair the circuit. ② Check if the power cord is damaged or the plug is loose. If there is a problem with the power cord, replace it with a qualified one. ③ Check the internal fuse of the device (usually located at the power interface). If the fuse is blown, replace it with a fuse of the same specification (current parameter consistent with the original fuse). If the fuse blows again after replacement, it indicates that there is a short circuit in the device's internal circuit, and professional maintenance personnel should be contacted.

Fault 2: The timer cannot work normally (cannot set the time, countdown does not jump). Troubleshooting steps: ① Check if the control panel buttons are stuck. If there is debris stuck in the button gaps, clean the gaps gently with a toothpick. ② Check if the remote control battery (if equipped) is dead, and replace it with a new battery for testing. ③ If both the buttons and the remote control are normal, the internal chip of the timer may be faulty. Contact the manufacturer's after-sales service to replace the timer module; do not disassemble the control panel by yourself.

Fault 3: The device makes abnormal noise during operation (such as excessive buzzing, harsh noise). Troubleshooting steps: ① Check if the lamp tube is installed firmly. If the lamp tube is loose, reinstall it and ensure the lamp holder is in good contact. ② Check if the internal fan of the device (if equipped) is blocked by dust. Turn off the power and clean the dust on the fan blades. If the fan bearing is worn, replace the fan. ③ Check if the wheels are stuck. Clean the debris at the wheel bearings and apply a small amount of food-grade lubricating silicone grease. If the wheels are damaged, replace them with new ones.

Fault 4: There is still an obvious odor (not ozone odor) after disinfection. Troubleshooting steps: ① Check if the filter has not been cleaned for a long time, resulting in odor due to dust and microorganism accumulation. Clean or replace the filter. ② Check if there is debris (such as residual cleaning cloth, sundries) inside the device. Open the device shell (after power-off) to clean the debris. ③ Check if the lamp tube produces abnormal gas due to aging. If the ends of the lamp tube are severely blackened, replace the lamp tube, and the odor usually disappears.

It should be particularly noted that when the device has the following situations, do not repair it by yourself; contact professional personnel immediately: ① Smoke or sparks appear inside the device. ② The device shell is electrified (the neon tube of the test pen lights up when testing). ③ Ultraviolet leakage occurs (a strong pungent odor can be smelled outside the area during disinfection, or the skin has a burning sensation when approaching the device). Before maintenance, inform the maintenance personnel of the device model, usage time, fault phenomenon, and the steps that have been taken for troubleshooting to facilitate quick problem location and ensure that the repaired device meets safety standards and disinfection requirements.

VII. What Additional Precautions Are Needed When Using in Scenarios with Special Populations?

When using UV lamp sterilizer trolleys in scenarios with the elderly, children, pregnant women, or pets, additional protective measures must be added to the conventional operation to avoid harm to vulnerable groups and pets.

1. Scenarios with the Elderly and Children (Families/Nursing Institutions)

• Preparation in Advance: Communicate with the elderly and children in a way they can understand—for the elderly, verbally emphasize "Do not enter the room during disinfection to avoid eye discomfort"; for children, use vivid statements such as "There is a 'light protective cover' in the room, and entering will hurt your eyes". At the same time, organize items in the area: transfer the elderly's walkers, children's toys, and picture books to a safe area; cover the surfaces of fixed furniture (such as wardrobes, desks) with light-proof cloth or thick quilts to prevent item aging caused by UV irradiation.
• Protection During Disinfection: Attach eye-catching colored warning stickers (such as red "Disinfection in Progress, No Entry") at the entrance of the disinfection area. If there are young children, arrange a family member to be on duty briefly at the entrance to prevent children from pushing the door in out of curiosity. Schedule disinfection during periods when the elderly are resting or children are at school/sleeping, completely avoiding their activity time.
  
  

Post-Disinfection Handling: After disinfection, an adult first enters the area to check—smell if there is residual ozone odor and touch if the device shell has cooled down. Only after confirming safety, guide the elderly and children to enter. When entering, remind them not to touch the device's lamp tube; if children have a habit of touching, temporarily cover the lamp tube part with a cloth cover to avoid accidental contact.

2. Scenarios with Pregnant Women (Families/Offices)

• Preparation in Advance: Pregnant women should not participate in device operation at all times. Plan the disinfection area in advance to ensure it is at least 5 meters away from the rooms where pregnant women usually stay (such as bedrooms, desks). If the disinfection area is adjacent to the pregnant woman's room, place 2-3 packs of activated carbon in the corridor between the two areas to absorb possible diffused ozone. Transfer items belonging to pregnant women (such as water cups, skin care products, medicines) out of the disinfection area to prevent ultraviolet rays from affecting the properties of the items.
• Protection During Disinfection: Attach a warning sign at the entrance of the pregnant woman's room to inform "Disinfection in the adjacent room, do not approach temporarily". During disinfection, family members or colleagues should control the device remotely (e.g., start it with a remote control), and the pregnant woman can temporarily move to a balcony or other area far from the disinfection area.
• Post-Disinfection Handling: Extend the ventilation time to twice the usual duration (about 40-50 minutes), and turn on a fan to accelerate air circulation during this period. After the pungent odor in the area completely disappears, someone else should first enter to confirm safety before informing the pregnant woman that she can move normally.
  
  

3. Scenarios with Pets (Families)

• Preparation in Advance: Before disinfection, transfer pets to a safe area—small pets (such as cats, dogs) can be placed in a closed pet cage and kept on the balcony or another undisinfected room; large pets that cannot be transferred can be fenced off outside the disinfection area to ensure they cannot approach. Check the gaps around the doors and windows of the disinfection area and temporarily seal small gaps with tape to prevent pets from sneaking in.
• Protection During Disinfection: Place obstacles such as chairs or storage boxes at the entrance of the disinfection area to further block pets. Check the pet's status every 10 minutes during disinfection to prevent it from breaking free from the cage or fence due to restlessness.
• Post-Disinfection Handling: Before entering the disinfection area, call the pet's name to confirm it has not sneaked in. After ventilation, check if the pet has any abnormal reactions, such as frequent eye rubbing, red skin, or listlessness. If abnormalities occur, wipe the pet's skin with clean water immediately, and consult a veterinarian if necessary.
  
  

VIII. How to Adjust Maintenance and Operation for Different Seasons?

The use and maintenance of UV lamp sterilizer trolleys need to be adjusted according to seasonal characteristics to cope with the impact of temperature, humidity, and dust conditions in different seasons on the device, ensuring disinfection effects and device service life. The specific adjustment for each season is shown in the table below:

IX. How to Operate Quickly and Efficiently in Emergency Disinfection Scenarios?

When emergencies occur (such as family members having a cold and fever, contaminated items, or after visitors leave), it is necessary to use the UV lamp sterilizer trolley for emergency disinfection quickly. The principle of "prioritizing key areas, simplifying procedures without omitting key steps" should be followed to ensure disinfection effects in a short time.

1. Emergency Disinfection After Family Members Have a Cold and Fever

• Key Areas: Prioritize disinfection of areas frequently contacted by the patient, such as the bedroom (bed, bedside table, lamp switch), bathroom (hand basin, toilet, towel rack), and living room sofa (the position often sat by the patient).
• Simplified Operation Tips: There is no need for large-scale debris cleaning; only quickly remove food, water cups, and medicines from the area (to avoid UV affecting drug efficacy), and simply wipe obvious stains on the desktop and floor with a damp cloth. Place the device directly in the center of each area without frequently adjusting the lamp arm angle (focus on covering the main contact surfaces).
• Disinfection Parameters: Disinfect each area for 20 minutes, adopting a "one-by-one area disinfection" mode (bedroom → bathroom → living room) to avoid prolonged time caused by disinfecting multiple areas at the same time.
• Post-Disinfection Handling: Ventilate each area for 15 minutes and turn on a fan to accelerate air circulation; after the patient recovers, perform a full disinfection according to the regular procedure to completely eliminate residual microorganisms.
  
  

2. Emergency Disinfection of Contaminated Items (e.g., Dropped on the Ground, Contaminated Contact)

• Movable Items (Mobile Phones, Keys, Clothes, etc.): Place the items on the tray of the disinfection trolley, ensuring no obstruction on the item surface (e.g., mobile phone screen facing up, keys laid flat), and push the device to an open area (such as a balcony). Disinfect small items (mobile phones, keys) for 10 minutes and large items (clothes, backpacks) for 15 minutes; during disinfection, turn the items 1-2 times to ensure every surface is irradiated by UV rays.
• Immovable Items (Furniture, Carpets, etc.): Push the device next to the contaminated item, adjust the lamp arm angle to let UV rays directly irradiate the contaminated part (e.g., the stained area on the carpet, the contact surface of furniture), and disinfect for 15 minutes. After disinfection, wipe the item surface with a damp cloth to remove possible residual microorganisms.
• Precautions: If the item is made of UV-sensitive material (such as colored plastic, silk clothes), first test it on an inconspicuous part of the item (observe if it discolors after 1 minute of irradiation); only proceed with full disinfection if there is no abnormality.
  
  

3. Emergency Disinfection After Visitors Leave

• Key Areas: Focus on parts contacted by visitors, such as the entrance hall (shoe cabinet, door handle), living room (coffee table, chairs, remote control), and bathroom (hand basin, door handle).
• Simplified Operation Tips: Quickly organize shoes and clothes in the entrance hall (no need for complete storage, just avoid blocking UV rays), and first wipe the door handle with an alcohol wipe for preliminary disinfection. Place the device in the center of the living room; there is no need to close all doors and windows—you can draw half of the curtains (to prevent UV leakage to the outside while maintaining a small amount of ventilation).
• Disinfection Parameters: Set the disinfection time to 25 minutes; during disinfection, open the windows of the entrance hall and living room at the same time to accelerate air circulation.
• Post-Disinfection Handling: Ventilate for 20 minutes and wipe the coffee table and chairs with clean water (to remove possible ozone residues); place 1-2 packs of activated carbon in the entrance hall to absorb odors and a small amount of residual microorganisms brought by visitors.
  
  

X. How to Verify Disinfection Effects? What Are the Simple and Feasible Testing Methods?

Verifying the disinfection effect after disinfection can ensure the effectiveness of the disinfection operation and avoid incomplete disinfection caused by device failures or improper operation. A combination of "sensory judgment + simple tool testing + professional testing" can be adopted to meet the testing needs of different scenarios.

Sensory judgment (quick daily verification): After disinfection, enter the area and first smell for a pungent odor (ozone smell). If there is a slight ozone smell (similar to the smell of grass after rain), it indicates the device is operating normally (for ozone-generating devices); if there is no smell at all, check whether the device is actually started or if the lamp tube is damaged. Second, observe the item surface: if there is no obvious dust or dirt on the item surface, and no abnormal discoloration (such as yellowing of plastic, fading of fabric) caused by UV irradiation, it indicates the items were properly covered or placed during operation, with no large-scale obstruction. Finally, touch the device shell: if the shell has a slight warm feeling (similar to the temperature of a home appliance after operation), it indicates the device has worked normally; if the shell is cold, the device may not have been started or may have shut down midway.

Simple tool testing (suitable for families and small-scale places): A household UV radiometer can be purchased (usually costing around 100 yuan, easy to operate). During disinfection, place the radiometer at 3 key points in the disinfection area (the center of the area, near the device, and the corner) to test whether the UV intensity reaches above 20μW/cm²—if the intensity at all points meets the standard, it indicates the disinfection range and intensity are sufficient. Microbial test strips (such as bacterial test strips) can also be used: before disinfection, gently wipe the high-frequency contact surface (such as the desktop, door handle) with the test strip; after disinfection, wipe the same position again with the test strip. Compare the color of the two test strips: if the color of the test strip after disinfection is close to the color of the "sterile control card" or is significantly lighter than before disinfection, it indicates the number of microorganisms has been greatly reduced and the disinfection is effective.

Professional testing (suitable for key places such as medical institutions and food processing plants): Key places need to invite professional testing institutions to conduct on-site disinfection effect testing every 3 months. The testing content includes the total number of air bacteria, the total number of surface bacteria, and the UV radiation intensity. During testing, professional personnel will use an impact-type air microbial sampler to collect air samples in the disinfection area, and use sterile cotton swabs to wipe the surface of objects to collect samples, which are then sent to a laboratory for culture. If the test results show that the total number of air bacteria is ≤500CFU/m³ and the total number of surface bacteria is ≤10CFU/cm², it indicates the disinfection effect meets the national standard. At the same time, professional personnel will use a high-precision UV radiometer (with an accuracy of up to 0.1μW/cm²) to test the lamp tube intensity. If the intensity is lower than the standard value, they will provide suggestions for replacing the lamp tube or adjusting the device position to ensure the subsequent disinfection effect.