Electrical Characteristics Input Power: 18 watts, 120 volts AC at 0.15 amps. The conditioning cycle can be stopped at any time by opening the drawer. The unit resets on each drawer opening, so short-term conditioning is possible. Operating Features Conditioning Cycle:Dry & Store has an operating cycle of eight hours. It conditions at an average temperature of 90-95° F (32-35°C) and a relative humidity of 19-25%. The germicidal lamp (see below) illuminates for the first eight minutes then turns off automatically. Air circulating fan: Ball-bearing fan with expected life of 50,000 hours (~17 years if used daily). Circulates up to 9 cfm. Device noise level at 1 meter: < 30 dBA. Desiccant: The custom desiccant contains an aggressive sorbent (mol sieve), packaged in an attractive, molded, disposable container. Each Dry-Brik has a shelf life of at least one year, unopened. Once the foil label is removed, the Dry-Brik II lasts two (2) months. Replacement desiccants are inexpensive and are available from Dry & Store distributors. The desiccant also absorbs odors as it dries. Click here for more information about the germicidal lamp including dosage requirements for specific bacteria and mold spores. Germicidal Properties The Dry & Store germicidal lamp is a short wave low pressure mercury vapor tube that produces ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths that are lethal to micro-organisms. During its eight minute cycle, the lamp will generate enough germicidal energy to yield a 99% kill on common bacteria found in the external ear canal. * 4 watts UV-C @ 254nm in the Professional model produces 660-710 joules/m2 of UV energy. * For comparison purposes, a 90% kill on pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria requires only 55 j/m2. Elimination of this flora from hearing aids can significantly reduce itching and the reintroduction of infection-causing bacteria into the ear canal. To the user, this means less itching and irritation, and fewer recurring infections of the external ear canal. Note: The UV-C lamp is a surface sanitizer only, and it has little to no penetrating power. This means that it is not damaging to plastics or earmolds. (Germicidal lamps are not to be confused with sunlamps or blacklight lamps, for while those are also ultraviolet lamps, the UV produced by a sunlamp or blacklight is of longer wavelength and is not useful for germicidal applications.) Battery Removal: Batteries do not have to be removed from hearing aids before Dry & Store use. Independent tests by Eveready Battery Co. on their Energizer/Amplifier® batteries showed a 10-20% gain in battery life under high (85% RH) humidity conditions, and no decrease in life at normal (50% RH) conditions. This was confirmed by a user survey which showed that over 50% of users experienced longer battery life. Reliability: Every component was chosen with reliability in mind. The circuit board is manufactured in the U.S.A. by an international electronics manufacturer, one of the highest reliability names in the business. A UV lamp test was terminated after the equivalent of 30 years without a single failure. We offer a generous two year warranty, but we designed for, and expect, long term reliability. The device is ETL & CSA certified and is assembled in the United States by a company whose quality management system is ISO-9001 certified. Warranty: Two years in the USA and Canada. Proof of purchase required. Warranty claims should originate with the dispensing professional. Each Dry & Store Professional unit is shipped with: One individually wrapped desiccant, a user instruction booklet, and a warranty registration card.