Safe to Operate T5 Fixture Without Shield

[Rick55555]

Hello all,


I'm wondering whether it's safe to operate a T5 fixture such as the TEK without an acrylic shield. My main concern is UV exposure to myself and others exposed to the lighting.


While I do own the acrylic shield for this fixture, I do not use it because of the decreased par and increased heat associated with its use.


I would, of course, use it if the lighting poses any real danger to humans.


Thank you in advance


Rick

 

[Mr. Thingdoer]

There's no UV shielding in the acrylic shield. It's just used to keep salt creep out of your fixture which will eventually corrode it without it. It will however run cooler and brighter without it.

 

[Rick55555]

I see. I was under the impression that it provided some sort of protection to people.


Is regular unshielded T5 exposure dangerous?


Rick

 

[bigtex52]

You are thinking of double ended Metal Halide. They emit UV without the glass shield. T5's are simply a fluorescent light.