LED warning lights provide visual alarms that alert people of dangers in certain areas or applications. An LED warning light on vehicles makes them visible and attract attention in dangerous or emergency situations.
Some of the factors that make LED lamps suitable for use in warning lights are their reliability, low energy consumption, durability and ability to withstand rough environments. In addition, their small size offers designers with the flexibility to build them in many formats to suit a wide variety of applications. Most common methods of installing the lamps are the flush and surface mounting.
Where are LED warning lights used?
LED warning lights range from indoor types that indicate a danger to outdoor lights for guiding and warning aircraft pilots about structures on their paths.
The lights are used in police, emergency response vehicles such firefighting trucks, ambulances, and more. In addition, they are used in construction sites, tall buildings, cell phone and other communication masts, power line posts, industries and many other applications
LED lights provide different types of warnings depending on the application. For example, a warning on top of a tall building cell tower warns pilots of obstacles along their flight path, hence allowing them to change course and avoid hitting the objects which can lead to fatal accidents and property damage.
Different modes of operation of LED warning lights
The brightness, color, and size and construction vary according to the environment, what the warning is about, and whom it is intended for among other things. In some applications, the LED warning lights will have different modes depending on the situation. The warning is either in the form of a steady, flashing or rotating light.
The same lamps or different sets of lamps produce varying patterns corresponding to what is happening and level of warning.
These may vary in color, brightness, number of lights on, the frequency of flashing or rotating. For example, a PAYG electricity meter has a green light that indicates that remaining tokens are beyond a certain value, say 20 units. When the number falls below 20, the light turns to red, and when the units are less than 5, the LED will start flashing.
Construction of LED warning lights
Construction and design of the LED warning lights differ according to application and environment. For applications where the warning is for people in close proximity such as a live electrical connection, a single LED will surface.
However, cell tower and other obstruction LED warning lights are bigger and brighter for pilots to see them from far and change their flight paths. LED warning lights for indoor use are usually different and cheaper than those for mining and similar applications.
Due to the harsh condition in such environments, the LED lights have tough transparent casings to withstand the debris without degrading the performance of the fixture. In addition, the housing for the outdoor and harsh environment must be water and dust proof.
Surface mounted LED warning lights may use high power bulbs and a die-cast alloy housing for better heat dissipation and cooling of the devices. These are suitable for applications requiring high levels of brightness.
Common types of LED warning lights
The type, design, and construction of a warning light depend on the application and conditions in the particular environment. For this reason, the choice of a warning light for an indoor application will differ from that of an outdoor use. Some common lights are listed below; these differ in construction and applications.
- LED emergency lights
- Aircraft warning lights
- Vehicle LED Warning Lights
- Aviation obstruction warning lights
- Helipad Lights
- LED strobe warning lights
- Aviation LED warning lights
- LED strip warning lights
- Emergency vehicle lights
- LED truck warning lights
- LED emergency vehicle warning lights
- Traffic Lights
- LED hazard warning lights
- Crane Warning Lights
- Oil rig warning light
- LED Flood Lights
- Low-Intensity Lights
- Medium Intensity Lights
- High-Intensity construction warning lights
- High Intensity Emergency Vehicle LED warning lights
- Solar powered LED warnimg lights
- Explosion proof lights
- Twin warning lights
Shop for 240 LED roof top Vehicle LED Warning Light – different colors and designs available, or
Xprite High Intensity Emergency Vehicle LED warning light
Design and construction material may vary depending on the environment and type of warning the light provides. For example, explosion proof warning lights are built with materials that allow them to withstand hazardous and abnormal environments such as those containing flammable gases.
A typical waterproof, warning light with a magnetic base for easy fitting on a vehicle rooftop is available below. Please check this for more details and other options. WOWTOU Amber Emergency Hazard Warning Beacon Rooftop Strobe Light, 48W COB 8 LED with Magnetic Base 10 Patterns including Flashing/Strobe/Rotating Modes, Waterproof & Durable, Supported 12-24V
LED warning light intensity
Light intensity varies depending on how far the warning should reach, for some applications, it is only required when someone is at close range, while others, such as tower warning lights need to be seen from far by pilots flying aircraft so that they can alter their path in good time.
Powering LED warning lights
Ideally, all LED warning lights should have a source of power throughout, regardless of failure in the grid supply. This ensures that they continue to warn people of any dangers at all times. As such, most of these have backup power, either connected to generators, UPSs or at best rechargeable batteries.
In remote areas where it is impractical or very expensive to take grid electricity, the solar LED warning lights are used. These consist of solar panels and batteries to harvest and store energy during the day, so that it can be available during the night. The solar warning light is also used on top of buildings and high structures where they can either supplement the mains supply or work entirely ion the renewable energy.
Advantages of LED warning lights
LED lights have several benefits for general use as well as emergency applications. Below are some factors that make LEDs suitable for warning lights.
Small size
The small size of LED lights allows them to fit in almost any space. Small spaces may use strips, strings or single LED lamps. Aircraft runaway or tower warning lights may use several LED bulbs combined to produce a higher light output visible from far during all weathers.
Instant on and low power consumption
The LED lamps turn on instantly. This is important when flashing or ensuring that the LED turns on immediately conditions exist. Since it does not require warm-up time, it means that the lamp will provide light on demand without posing any danger. In addition, the flashing is more visible and also saves energy since the bulbs are only on for a fraction of the time. This saves energy consumptions as well as the heat dissipation hence reducing running costs while prolonging the lifespan of the bulbs.
In addition, LED lights are usually energy efficient; this is a benefit when there is need to keep the lights on throughout the day and night. The low power consumption combined with flashing means that the lamps can reduce the power consumption significantly.
Many color options
These are available in a wide range of colors to produce the right warning. In particular, the multicolor LED bulbs have the benefit of small size and no requirement for extra wiring. In some applications, the different colors have specific meanings. For example, in traffic lights, Red means danger and people of vehicles should wait. Green means that it is safe to proceed awhile amber indicates that lights are changing from dangerous to safe or vice versa.
Easy to control
It is very easy to control how the LED bulbs turn on and off hence creating any custom pattern. This requires using solid state devices which are quiet and very efficient. The control can be done to produce a specific pattern that best matches the application, save electricity, prolong the LED bulb life or turn on or off depending on the existing conditions.
Reliable and stable operation
The performance of LED lamps is efficient, reliable and stable. The LED lights do not flicker and produces a stable output depending on the setting, hence eliminating the possibility of creating confusion or erroneous warnings.
Operating Wide range of temperatures
The LED lamps do not degrade performance over a wide range of temperature that range from -30°C to +70°C. Besides this, they do not emit a lot of heat and do not require additional cooling despite operating through the day.
Rugged construction and long lifespan
Due to the difficult locations where these lights are installed, a durable lamp reduces the maintenance and replacement costs. Fewer replacements mean that technicians do not have to climb dangerous structures when accessing the lights, hence reduced risks, and lower insurance and equipment costs.
In addition, the rugged nature of LED bulbs makes them ideal for almost any environment. Most of the warning lights are installed outdoors where they must withstand vibrations, shocks, strong winds, corrosive environment and other harsh conditions.
