Beacons

Beacons, also known as beacon lights, are essential signalling devices used to alert personnel of hazards or potentially dangerous situations. They are extremely important in industrial and automation applications, providing clear visual warnings and guiding safe responses.

RS offers a wide selection of beacon lights to suit diverse needs, including flashing beacons, rotating beacons, and xenon beacons. They come in various colours, light effects, and signal durations to match your specific requirements.

Beacon Light Colours and Their Meanings

The colour of a beacon light conveys a specific message, ensuring clear communication and appropriate action in various scenarios:

• Red: Indicates immediate danger. Personnel should take immediate action to address the hazard or evacuate the area.
• Amber: Signals a warning. A hazardous situation or condition is imminent or requires monitoring and intervention.
• Blue: Indicates a change in status or condition. Personnel may need to perform specific actions, such as powering down equipment or machinery.
• Green: Signals normal conditions. Everything is operating smoothly and there are no issues or hazards.
• White: Typically used for general illumination purposes and not associated with specific warnings or messages.

Choosing the correct beacon light colour is crucial for ensuring workplace safety and operational efficiency.

Types of Warning Beacon Lights

Beacons utilise different technologies to produce various light effects, each suited for specific applications:

• Rotating/Revolving Beacon Lights: These beacons use a motor-driven reflector to revolve around a continuously lit bulb, producing a powerful 360-degree beacon range.
• Flashing Beacon Lights: These beacons use internal circuitry to cycle the bulb on and off, creating a flashing light effect.
• Static Beacon Lights: These beacons provide a continuous, steady light output once energised, ideal for indicating ongoing conditions or status.
• Strobe Beacon Lights: Strobe beacons emit intense, rapid bursts of light, ideal for high-visibility alerts in noisy or visually cluttered environments.
• Steady Beacon Lights: Similar to static beacons, steady beacons provide continuous illumination but may offer different light intensities or colours for specific applications.
• Pulsating Beacon Lights: Pulsating beacons emit a rhythmic, on-and-off light pattern, providing a less intense but still noticeable warning signal.
• Xenon Beacon Lights: Xenon beacons utilise a discharge capacitor and converter circuit to ignite xenon gas, producing a bright flash of light, often used for high-intensity warnings.

Note: LED technology can be incorporated into any of the above beacon types, offering energy efficiency, long life, and a variety of colours and flashing patterns.

Beacon Light Mounting Options

Beacon lights can be mounted in various ways to suit different applications and environments:

• Base Mount: These beacons have a base designed for secure mounting on flat surfaces, such as walls, machines, or control panels.
• Built-in Mounting: Some beacons are designed to be integrated directly into equipment or enclosures, providing a streamlined and compact solution.
• Surface Mount: Surface mount beacons are affixed to the surface of a structure, offering flexibility in placement and easy installation.
• Tube Mounting: These beacons are designed to be mounted on poles or tubes, making them ideal for traffic signals, security applications, or areas where elevated visibility is required.
• Panel Mount: Panel mount beacons are integrated into control panels or equipment, providing a visual indication of the status or condition of the system.
• Vertical Mount: Similar to tube mounting, vertical mount beacons are designed for upright installation on poles or structures, offering 360-degree visibility.

Applications of Beacon Lights

Beacon lights are versatile signalling devices utilised in a wide range of industries to enhance safety, communication, and operational efficiency:

• Industrial Environments: In factories, warehouses, and processing plants, beacon lights alert workers to potential hazards, signal machine malfunctions, and guide material handling operations.
• Commercial Buildings: Beacon lights are used in offices, retail stores, restaurants, and other commercial spaces to indicate emergency situations, guide evacuations, or signal specific events like the opening or closing of facilities.
• Outdoor Environments: Weatherproof beacons are essential for outdoor applications such as traffic control, construction sites, airports, and public transportation systems, ensuring visibility and safety in all weather conditions.
• Hazardous Locations: In environments with explosive atmospheres or flammable materials, specialised explosion-proof beacons provide safe and reliable visual alerts, crucial for worker safety in oil rigs, chemical plants, and other high-risk areas.
• Emergency Systems: Beacon lights are integral components of fire alarm systems, security systems, and emergency notification systems, providing clear visual signals during critical situations to facilitate swift responses and evacuation procedures.

Delivery Information

RS offers swift delivery of beacon lights and other automation signalling products like electronic sirens and industrial sounders across Singapore. Choose from top brands like Schneider Electric, Siemens, and Eaton, and enjoy next-working-day delivery on eligible online orders (Terms & Conditions apply). For a complete overview of our delivery options and fees, please refer to our Delivery page.