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Tanning Bed & Lamp Glossary

Buck booster - The transformer that changes the incoming voltage to the tanning bed so that it can operate in the USA. They are found in tanning beds that use the European-style choke ballast system for the lamps.

Choke ballast - An older style of electronic lamp circuit used in Europe for tanning beds that run on 220V power. European style electronic system. A buck booster transformer is needed for such beds to operate in the USA. This can add $150 to the tanning bed. All tanning beds that use choke ballasts also require lamp starters.

Electronic ballast - The newest style of electronic lamp circuit for tanning beds. Tanning beds with an electronic ballast don't need lamp starters or buck booster transformers.

Facial lamp - a different type of lamp used in the facial region of a tanning bed. These lamps use a blue plastic cover that filters out most UVB and all UVC rays.

Lamp starter - The switch unit that ignites the lamps for tanning beds that use older, choke-style lamp ballast systems.

HO lamp - High-Output tanning lamp. This is a standard 80-watt or 100-watt tanning lamp found in most tanning beds.

Magnetic ballast - An electronic lamp circuit for tanning beds that runs on 120V AC. They are heavy metal boxes which add significant weight to a tanning bed. Tanning beds with a magnetic ballast don't need lamp starters or buck booster transformers.

RUVA - Stands for Reflector lamp, UVA. This is the name for a High-Output (HO) tanning lamp with a built-in reflector. The light is more intense than in a standard tanning lamp because all the light is forward toward the person.

UVA - The ultraviolet light frequency that causes tanning of the skin. All tanning bed lamps produce some ratio of UVA and UVB rays.

UVB - The ultraviolet light frequency that causes burning of the skin. All tanning bed lamps produce some ratio of UVA and UVB rays.

UVC - The ultraviolet light frequency that causes burning of the skin. Tanning bed lamps filter out all UVC rays as they are dangerous to humans. UVC lamps are used for water purification and sterilization of equipment.

VHO lamp - Very High Output. These are tanning bed lamps that are either 160 watts (71 to 73") or 140 watt (59 to 60") and require special electronics to operate.

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