Technology of beacons

How is the all-round light being generated and how strong is the warning effect? We distinguish between the following technologies:

• Halogen beacon: The light source is the halogen bulb, which is orbited by a motor-driven rotor mirror. This produces a light reflex moving through 360 degrees in a horizontal direction. By concentrating the light in the rotor mirror, the beacon is easily recognisable, especially during the day. A halogen beacon is an inexpensive solution that has proven itself for many years.
• Xenon beacon: A xenon gas discharge tube provides the warning light. Due to the very short and bright flashes (double flash), this warning light ensures a quickly perceptible risk scenario. Particularly ideal for twilight or at night due to the all-round radiation, this light source is more durable than the halogen version.
• LED beacon: The most modern light source for beacons. LEDs offer high brightness with low power consumption, are very durable and give colorful light. The luminosity of LEDs provide a sufficient warning effect also in daylight. The operating time of LEDs exceeds that of halogen bulbs by more than twenty times. Due to the coloured light of LEDs you can use uncoloured, clear lenses, which adds a modern touch to the beacon’s appearance.

Light colours and use of beacons

Legislation regulates the colours of the warning light and its areas of application quite unambiguously. Yellow beacons can be found in many locations and vehicles such as cars and trucks. In road traffic they are used by towing services, snow-clearers, refuse-collecting vehicles or large-capacity transport escort vehicles - i.e. on many trucks and tractors.