The PowerSun UV is a self-ballasted mercury vapor bulb with two main components. The first is a standard incandescent filament, which is the first to light. The second is a mercury vapor arc tube, which takes a few minutes to heat up. There will be a noticeable change in hue (or color) when the bulb is completely warm and fully functioning. Because the PowerSun UV is a self-ballasted bulb it can be used in any ceramic socket that is rated to handle the wattage.

The PowerSun UV has nickel-plated threads to ensure that it will not corrode in humid reptile habitats. This new bulb also incorporates a short neck design, unique among mercury vapor lamps, that allows it to better fit into "clamp lamp" type fixtures.

PowerSun UV projects useable UVB radiation a far greater distance (up to 6 feet) than conventional fluorescent tubes. This makes it ideal for large enclosures and reptiles with high UV demands. PowerSun UV has all of the benefits of our award winning ReptiSun bulbs with the added benefit of increased intensity (50µW/cm2 UVB!!) and heat. UVB radiation has always been the safest, most effective way to ensure proper levels of vitamin D3 in captive reptiles and the PowerSun UV will continue to emit significant levels of UVB for all of its 10,000-hour average life (over 2 years with normal use.)