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Problem with Recent Batch of Solarmeter 6.5 UV Index Meters: NOW SOLVED!

Please read this if you have purchased a Solarmeter 6.5 or ZooMed Digital UV Index Radiometer since September 2015

If you have recently purchased either of these meters, check the serial number on the back of the meter. There was a problem in meters manufactured between September 2015 and April 2016, but all affected meters were recalled for replacement.
The problem has now been solved, and new unaffected stocks are now available again. Purchases since early July 2016 should all be new, unaffected meters...

The problem was caused by a component in the filtration system incorrectly allowing some longer-wavelength UVA through. As soon as the fault was spotted, Solarmeter® responded immediately, stopping production and recalling affected meters.

Meter owners who returned affected meters to Solarmeter® will soon have their meters returned, fitted with a new filter, re-calibrated and allocated a new serial number. (First-time purchasers will receive new meters, of course.)

Here are the serial numbers for you to check against your meter:

UNAFFECTED METERS - These are ALL FINE:

Any Solarmeter 6.5 with a serial number BELOW 03325 (Manufactured before September 2015) is fine
Any Solarmeter 6.5 with a serial number ABOVE 03600 (Manufactured June 2016) is fine

Any ZooMed Digital UV Index Radiometer with a serial number BELOW 5528 (Manufactured before September 2015) is fine
Any ZooMed Digital UV Index Radiometer with a serial number ABOVE 5274 (Manufactured June 2016) is fine.

 

Affected meters: A meter only has the affected component if: - it is a Solarmeter 6.5, serial number 03325 - 03486 (serial numbers 03487 - 03599 were not used) - it is a ZooMed meter, serial number between 5228 - 5274 If you discover that you have an affected meter, contact the distributor at once, and ask for a replacement from new stock. Distributors can return affected meters to Solarmeter® or ZooMed® (as appropriate) for replacement. Alternatively, owners can ship their affected meter directly back to Solarmeter® for repair and return. Contact Solarmeter® via their website, www.solarmeter.com, for details on the return procedure. What was the problem? Readings from UVB fluorescent tubes and compact/ coil UVB lamps were much lower than they should be. Readings from some mercury vapour lamps were also lower than they should be. Readings from outdoor shade and gentle sunlight were higher than they should be. Readings from UVB metal halide lamps were much higher than they should be. Why were the readings wrong? The meters are calibrated to a light source resembling strong sunlight, i.e., a tanning lamp, so these light sources read correctly. However, the unwanted UVA getting through the filter system meant that light sources with a higher proportion of UVA : UVB than the calibration lamp read higher than they should, and conversely, those with a lower proportion of UVA : UVB read lower. I’m planning to buy a Solarmeter 6.5. When should I order it? You can order it right now! Solarmeter have announced that the first serial number of the new, unaffected meters is 03600 so everyone can be confident of their readings again. The same will apply to the ZooMed meters. Dr. Frances Baines MRCVS UV Guide UK 15th July 2016.

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