Beacons
What are Beacon Lights?
Beacons, also known as beacon lights, are electronic devices used as signalling devices to alert people of a hazardous area or potentially dangerous situation e.g. for a fire alarm system. These visual alarm devices are extremely important in industrial and automation applications as they keep people informed of what to expect and how to respond safely. There are many different types of beacon lights, and they all have a specific role to play in safety depending on their colour, light effect, and duration of signal or alarm.
Beacons operate by converting electrical energy into light energy, usually through LEDs, incandescent bulbs, or strobe lights. LED beacons are particularly popular due to their energy efficiency, long life, and high visibility. The choice of beacon light type and the sequence of its signal are determined based on the environment and the nature of the potential hazard. For example, faster flashing or rotating lights might be used to draw immediate attention in high-risk situations, while a steady light might be used in less urgent scenarios.
What are the Meanings of the Colours in Beacon Lights?
Beacons will all have a lens colour and each colour has a specific meaning. Choosing the right colour is critical. It ensures your site runs smoothly, but more importantly, allows you to keep your people safe during their working day.
Here’s what each colour means:
Red Beacon Lights
Red beacon lights signal emergencies requiring immediate action, such as shutting down machinery during system failures or hazardous conditions. They are vital for preventing accidents and ensuring safety in critical situations.
Amber Beacon Lights
Amber beacon lights signal caution, indicating that a potentially hazardous situation is imminent. They require vigilant monitoring and may necessitate immediate human intervention to prevent or address risks.
Blue Beacon Lights
Blue beacon lights indicate a required change in operations or conditions. Typically, they prompt operators to take specific actions, such as powering down equipment or machinery, to ensure safety and compliance.
Green Beacon Lights
Normal conditions and all is running well with no problems or issues.
White Beacon Lights
White lights are generally used for general illumination purposes and are not typically associated with specific meanings or messages.
What are the Different Types of Warning Beacon Lights?
Beacons can be categorised into five main types:
Rotating Beacon Lights
These types of beacons have a motor-driven reflector that revolves around a bulb that is continuously lit. They produce a powerful beacon range of 360 degrees.
Flashing Beacon Lights
This type of beacon technology uses internal circuitry that cycles the bulb on and off continuously.
Static Beacon Lights
These are permanently illuminated with a steady light output once the beacon is energised.
Xenon Beacon Lights
Xenon beacons contain a discharge capacitor that operates through a converter circuit inside the beacon housing. This ignites the Xenon gas inside the tube creating a bright flash of light.
LED Beacon Lights
These types of beacons contain a semiconductor device called a light-emitting diode. The beacon will illuminate when an electric current passes through it.
Strobe Beacon Lights
Strobe beacon lights produce bright, white flashes using a xenon-filled glass tube, ideal for enhancing visibility in large industrial areas.
Dimming Beacon Lights
Dimming beacon lights allow adjustable light intensities, suitable for various environmental conditions and energy efficiency.
EVS (Emergency Vehicle Siren) Beacon Lights
EVS beacon lights ensure rapid visibility for emergency vehicles, crucial for safe and swift passage through traffic.
How to Order Beacon Lights From RS?
RS is a trusted supplier and distributor of high-quality beacon lights from renowned brands such as RS PRO, Federal Signal, Werma, and Edwards Signaling.
Business account customers benefit from free delivery on all orders over $40 (excluding GST), and a delivery fee of $10 is charged for orders under this amount. For private accounts and guest customers, delivery is free for orders over $80 (excluding GST), with a $12.95 fee applicable to smaller orders.
Delivery Information for Australia
To ensure prompt delivery of your beacon lights, please place your orders by 5 pm AEST from Monday to Friday. Next working day delivery is available for items stocked locally, though some regional areas may encounter extended delivery times.
For a complete overview of all our delivery services, including options like same-day delivery and consolidated shipments, please visit our delivery information page.