instructables

UVC Sterilizer for COVID-19 Emergency

by bcrabtree

UVC Sterilizer for COVID-19 Emergency: Page 1

How to make a UVC sterilizer box. First things rst. UVC Bulb (germicidal) 2G11 (1)
Electricity is dangerous! If you are not con dent and https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003715ETG/ref=cm_sw
competent do not attempt anything mentioned _em...
below. UVC (253.7nm) light is powerful, it can blind
you and possibly give you skin cancer if exposed to 2g11 base (1)
your eyes or unprotected skin. Use a welding mask https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003B91BQY/ref=cm_s
and protective equipment if you want to check the w_em...
bulb function outside of the box (very strongly not
recommended). If building one of these units please 2g11 bulb holder (1)
check with your hospital or local healthcare facility https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003B91BQY/ref=cm_s
before just showing up with one. w_em...

The hospitals here, and nationwide, are running out
of supplies. Our local hospital workers have to re-use
their masks with NO way to e ectively disinfect them.
As this COVID-19 disease spreads we need to start
working as a team to get this under control.
Over the past week I have developed a machine that
can help our healthcare system cope with this. I have
designed a UVC system that is able to disinfect
reusable hospital equipment in minutes (n95’s,
surgical masks, goggles, stethoscopes etc). This
equipment is very inexpensive and easy to build.
Currently our local ER's are using my systems to
disinfect their PPE. These systems can e ectively
eliminate our n95 mask shortages. Any Engineer,
Maker, STEM student, and capable handyman can
make them. This will help take the stress o of
hospital workers, as their disposable equipment can
now be safely re-used.
How To make this:
ballast (1)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003B91BQY/ref=cm_s
w_em...
limit switch (ac/dc) (3)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003B91BQY/ref=cm_s
w_em...
12-18 gauge wire ~5 ft available by the ft at home
depot, or use the extra wire from the ballast
aluminum sheet I bought from scrap yard 3/32 inch
or use aluminum tape to re ect light
aluminum tape (alternative to aluminum sheet)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FROBUXE/ref=cm_s
w_em...
plastic box (1)
https://www.harborfreight.com/merchandising-
promo...

Supplies: mechanical timer( 1)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000B8YKF2/ref=cm_sw
Here is what I used to make these units:
_em...

power socket or cable gland rel="nofollow">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RHJ

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XNMT3WL/ref=cm_ M435/ref=cm_sw_em_...
sw_em...

UVC Sterilizer for COVID-19 Emergency: Page 2

Step 1: UVC Sterilizer

Find a way to get your AC power into the box. Use either a cable gland, or a power socket.

Step 2: Gather Up Your Components

UVC Sterilizer for COVID-19 Emergency: Page 3

For this you will need your circuit breaker, mechanical
timer, limit switches, ballast, 2g11 socket and 2g11
UVC germicidal bulb.
(Look at pictures for actual layout and electrical
schematic)
As soon as the power inters the box, connect the hot
wire to the 2A circuit breaker.
Connect the neutral wire to the neutral on the ballast
and connect the ground to the metal case of the
ballast.
Connect the output from the circuit breaker to the
input of the mechanical timer switch.
Connect the mechanical timer switch output to the
normal open terminal (N.O.) of the rst limit switch.
Connect a wire from the other side of the limit switch
UVC Sterilizer for COVID-19 Emergency: Page 4
and connect it to the normally open (N.O.) terminal of
the second limit switch.
Take the output from the second limit switch and
connect it to the load (black wire) on the ballast.
From the ballast connect the blue wire to one side of
the 2G11 base. If there are 2 blue wires, cap one of
them with a wire nut. Cut the Red wire from the
ballast output in half.
Connect one end of the red wire to the normally open
(N.O.) terminal of the 3rd limit switch, connect the
other end to the output from that switch. Attach the
other red end to the 2G11 base across from the Blue
wire.
Cap any other wires coming out of the ballast.
Now the fun begins.
Step 3: Arrange the Box and Add Reflective Aluminum.

UVC Sterilizer for COVID-19 Emergency: Page 5

Now nd a way to mount all of this inside the box! conductivity alarm. Attach your meter to the switches
and position the switches on the inside of the box
Mount the bulb in the top of the box (see Photo). such that it has to be completely closed to engage the
Photo shows a computer controlled box, lots of extra switch. Mount the switches tightly with screws so they
components, but you get the idea. Group all of the do not move during heavy use.
electrical components on one side of the box to allow
for maximum sterilization area. I suggest using acrylic Now coat the interior with re ective aluminum. I used
to isolate the electrical components from the user. 3/32 sheet and screwed it to the inside of the plastic.
just make sure your electrical is isolated completely as
Mount the limit switches so that they only close when aluminum will conduct electricity. A cheap alternative
the box lid is tight. I used a multimeter with the "tone" is to coat the inside of the box with aluminum tape. I

also removed the pressure relief valve and lled the
hole with hot glue to allow the user to see that the
bulb is lighting up.
Now make some supports for masks, goggles,
stethoscopes etc. I used clear acrylic and 50 lb shing
line to create a grid 1" above the oor of the box. This
allows items to not touch the bottom, thus allowing
re ected UV light to sterilize both sides. I also coated
the acrylic with aluminum tape to increase re ection
of UVC.
I run my units for 1 minute. A 36W bulb
(36,000,000 W ) over an area of ~1440cm2 gives
25,000 W/cm2. Over 1 minute this doses the items
with ~ 1,500,000 W/cm2 or 1.5J/cm2.
Please see below comments for dozens of applicable
journal articles on n95's.
*******
-Brian Crabtree
MS, BS Bio-Engineering from University of Idaho
To contact me please see my website. Please be
patient as I am overwhelmed with questions currently.
You can always contact the engineering and
microbiology department at your local university if
you have questions about this technology. I didn't
invent this technology, I just designed a cheap,
a ordable and easy to make version.

JUS T O UT !!!! T he y m a de a ro o m s iz e d www.crabsci.com

v e rs io n!!!!
or
https://www.nebraskamed.com/sites/default/ les/do...
www.dripco eebrewing.com
******
Spokane WA
If you want to make a micro-controlled version, simply
wire the rst 2 limit switches as inputs to the Have fun making this!
controller. send 1 signal high and 1 low then check
the switches in the logic. Then use output to drive a
SSR to control the ballast. I use a logic level MOSFET
to drive the SSR with 12V, as this is less prone to have
problems with EMI generated from the system. Also
only use shielded wire for logic switches as the EMI
will probably give faulty logic signals to the controller
when this system is running. Always use a backup
limit switch that directly controls the AC to the light if
using a micro controller system as you need
protection if the board malfunctions.

UVC Sterilizer for COVID-19 Emergency: Page 6

******

Great Articles on this method:

https://www.ara.com/sites/default/ les/MitigateSh...

Associated smell after cleaning with UVC (smells like

burnt hair) :

https://www.ara.com/sites/default/ les/Amendment1.
..

This is critical.
We love the idea and are trying everything we can to manufacture these and get them deployed to
essential areas as rapidly as possible.
However, N95 masks made from polypropylene are affected by UV exposure.

Incorrect!!! Alcohol and some other chemicals will destroy the electrostatic charge, not UV. Not
sure where you got your information. The methods you posted are dangerous and ineffective.
Baking the masks can destroy them (see journal articles) Please tell whoever you got this from to
take their post down, and forward them these links. Please see attached NIOSH publication on
UVC treatment of n95 masks. This paper covers cumulative exposure for massive amounts of
UVC exposure to n95 masks.. hundreds of times higher than what these systems put out.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4699414/

Articles on cleaning N-95/s:

Viscusi, DJ, MS Bergman, BC Eimer and RE Shaffer (2009). Evaluation of five decontamination
UVC Sterilizer for COVID-19 Emergency: Page 7
methods for filtering facepiece respirators. Ann Occup Hyg 53(8): 815-27.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19805391

Vo, E, S Rengasamy and R Shaffer (2009). Development of a test system to evaluate procedures
for decontamination of respirators containing viral droplets. Appl Environ Microbiol 75(23): 7303-9.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19801477

Bergman, MS, DJ Viscusi, BK Heimbuch, JD Wander, AR Sambol and RE Shaffer (2010).

Evaluation of multiple (3-cycle) decontamination processing for filtering facepiece respirators. J
Eng Fibers Fabrics 5(4): 33-41. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?
article=1089&context=usafresearch

Fisher, EM, J Williams and RE Shaffer (2010). The Effect of Soil Accumulation on Multiple
Decontamination Processing of N95 Filtering Facepiece Respirator Coupons Using Physical
Methods. J Int Soc Respir Prot 27(1): 16-26.

Salter, WB, K Kinney, WH Wallace, AE Lumley, BK Heimbuch and JD Wander (2010). Analysis of
residual chemicals on filtering facepiece respirators after decontamination. J Occup Environ Hyg
7(8): 437-45. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20526947

Woo, M-H, Y-M Hsu, C-Y Wu, B Heimbuch and J Wander (2010). Method for contamination of
filtering facepiece respirators by deposition of MS2 viral aerosols. J Aerosol Sci 41(10): 944-952.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jaerosci.2010.07.003

Bergman, MS, DJ Viscusi, AJ Palmiero, JB Powell and RE Shaffer (2011). Impact of Three Cycles
of Decontamination Treatments on Filtering Facepiece Respirator Fit. J Int Soc Respir Prot 28(1):
48-59.

Fisher, EM and RE Shaffer (2011). A method to determine the available UV-C dose for the
decontamination of filtering facepiece respirators. J Appl Microbiol 110(1): 287-95.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21054699

Fisher, EM, JL Williams and RE Shaffer (2011). Evaluation of microwave steam bags for the
decontamination of filtering facepiece respirators. PLoS ONE 6(4): e18585.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21525995

Heimbuch, BK, WH Wallace, K Kinney, AE Lumley, CY Wu, MH Woo and JD Wander (2011). A
pandemic influenza preparedness study: use of energetic methods to decontaminate filtering
facepiece respirators contaminated with H1N1 aerosols and droplets. Am J Infect Control 39(1):
e1-9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21145624

Viscusi, DJ, MS Bergman, DA Novak, KA Faulkner, A Palmiero, J Powell and RE Shaffer (2011).
Impact of three biological decontamination methods on filtering facepiece respirator fit, odor,
comfort, and donning ease. J Occup Environ Hyg 8(7): 426-36.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21732856

Lore, MB, BK Heimbuch, TL Brown, JD Wander and SH Hinrichs (2012). Effectiveness of three
decontamination treatments against influenza virus applied to filtering facepiece respirators. Ann
Occup Hyg 56(1): 92-101. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21859950

Woo, MH, A Grippin, D Anwar, T Smith, CY Wu and JD Wander (2012). Effects of relative humidity
and spraying medium on UV decontamination of filters loaded with viral aerosols.Appl Environ
Microbiol 78(16): 5781-7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22685135
UVC Sterilizer for COVID-19 Emergency: Page 8
Heimbuch, BK, K Kinney, AE Lumley, DA Harnish, M Bergman and JD Wander (2014). Cleaning
of filtering facepiece respirators contaminated with mucin and Staphylococcus aureus. Am J Infect
Control 42(3): 265-70. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24462175

Lindsley, WG, SB Martin, Jr., RE Thewlis, K Sarkisian, JO Nwoko, KR Mead and JD Noti (2015).
Effects of Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) on N95 Respirator Filtration Performance and
Structural Integrity. J Occup Environ Hyg 12(8): 509-17.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25806411

Lin, TH, FC Tang, PC Hung, ZC Hua and CY Lai (2018). Relative survival of Bacillus subtilis
spores loaded on filtering facepiece respirators after five decontamination methods. Indoor Air
28(5): 754-762. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29855107

Mills, D, DA Harnish, C Lawrence, M Sandoval-Powers and BK Heimbuch (2018). Ultraviolet

germicidal irradiation of influenza-contaminated N95 filtering facepiece respirators. Am J Infect
Control 46(7): e49-e55. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29678452

Martin, SB, Jr. and ES Moyer (2000). Electrostatic respirator filter media: filter efficiency and most
penetrating particle size effects. Appl Occup Environ Hyg 15(8): 609-17.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10957816

That pic I posted in my initial reply is circulating in the medical community from here.

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/...

See this response.

March 23, 2020
Reuse of N95
Amanda Deskins, D.O. | Charleston Area Medical Center, Teays Valley Division

Some areas are already low on stock; our out of appropriate PPE.
I hope we can use appropriate UV for N95s. We are currently trying to produce as many of these
boxes as rapidly as possible and get them deployed. I'm an EM clinician with a background in
global heath and low resource settings. I'm no engineer. We are EXTREMELY grateful for people
like you who are creating options in response to this. PPE is one our best defenses and we want to
use it effectively. We just want to move forward safely.

Thanks!

Here are Journal Articles of N95 masks and cleaning methods. Please read them!

https://www.ara.com/sites/default/files/MitigateShortageofRespiratoryProtectionDevices_2.pdf
https://www.ara.com/sites/default/files/Amendment1_LimitedStudyofUVGITreatedFFROdor.pdf

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4699414/
This paper covers cumulative exposure for massive amounts of UVC exposure to n95 masks..
This is a nice idea! Thanks for sharing :)

UVC Sterilizer for COVID-19 Emergency: Page 9