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.
What are the meanings of the colours in the beacon lights?
Beacons will all have a lens colour and each colour light 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.
- Red: Danger, act immediately.
- Amber: Be aware, a warning of a dangerous situation or condition is imminent. Requires monitoring or human intervention.
- Blue: A change. Usually requires a defined action by an operator such as equipment or machinery powering down.
- Green: Normal conditions and all is running well with no problems or issues.
- White: White lights are generally used for general illumination purposes and are not typically associated with specific meanings or messages.
Types of Warning Beacon Lights
Enhance safety and communication across your New Zealand operations with our diverse range of beacon lights. From rotating LED beacons offering 360-degree visibility to flashing beacon lights for attention-grabbing alerts, RS Components provides reliable solutions for various applications. Choose from xenon beacons, LED flashing beacons, 24V beacon lights, and more to ensure clear signalling in any environment.
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. Ideal for high-visibility applications, they demand attention in emergencies or hazardous areas.
Utilising internal circuitry to create a pulsating light effect, flashing beacons are versatile and attention-grabbing. Available in various colours and flash patterns, they're suitable for warnings, notifications, and status indicators.
Static Beacon Lights
Permanently illuminated with a steady light, static beacons provide clear visual cues for indicating status, directions, or specific areas.
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 to produce intense, short bursts of light, ideal for capturing attention in noisy or visually cluttered environments.
LED Beacon Lights
Utilising light-emitting diodes, LED beacons offer energy efficiency and long life, making them a popular choice for various applications. Choose from flashing or static LED beacon lights for versatile signalling solutions.
Applications and Industries
Beacon lights play a crucial role in enhancing safety and communication across diverse industries in New Zealand. From industrial facilities to public spaces, these versatile signalling devices provide critical visual alerts, ensuring efficient operations and hazard prevention.
- Manufacturing and Warehousing: Flashing beacon lights and LED beacons are used to indicate machine status (e.g., operational, malfunctioning, maintenance needed), warn of forklift traffic, mark emergency exits and assembly points, and signal the start or end of shifts.
- Mining and Construction: Rotating beacons with 360-degree visibility are crucial for marking hazardous areas (e.g., open pits, blasting zones), directing traffic around worksites, and alerting workers to potential dangers like moving vehicles or equipment. Flashing beacons can also be used to signal the need for evacuation or to indicate the location of first-aid stations.
- Oil and Gas Industry: In this high-risk environment, beacon lights are essential for safety. They are used on drilling rigs, platforms, and pipelines to warn of gas leaks, indicate equipment malfunctions, and guide personnel during emergencies. Explosion-proof beacons are often required due to the flammable nature of the materials involved.
- Transportation and Logistics: LED flashing beacons are mounted on trucks, trailers, and other vehicles to enhance visibility and safety, especially during low-light conditions or adverse weather. They are also used in loading docks and warehouses to alert workers of approaching vehicles and to manage traffic flow.
- Power Generation and Utilities: In power plants and substations, beacon lights are used to indicate the status of generators, transformers, and other critical equipment. They can also signal alarms, warn of high voltage areas, and guide maintenance personnel.
- Chemical and Pharmaceutical Industry: Beacon lights are used in chemical plants and pharmaceutical facilities to indicate the status of processes, warn of potential hazards (e.g., chemical spills, leaks), and guide emergency responders in case of incidents.
Enhance Safety and Efficiency with RS Components Beacon Lights
RS New Zealand is your trusted supplier of high-quality beacon lights, offering a wide range of LED beacons, flashing beacons, and rotating beacons designed to meet the demanding requirements of various industries. Our commitment to quality and reliability ensures your signalling needs are met with the best solutions available. Browse our extensive selection of beacon lights and enhance safety and efficiency in your workplace today.
Ordering & Delivery Information for New Zealand
RS offers fast delivery of beacon lights, LED beacons, and 24V beacon lights within New Zealand. For more details on delivery services and fees, please refer to our Delivery Information page.