5 Simple Steps To Picking The Right Warning Light

Finding the right warning light is like finding a needle in the haystack. You have to identify that one right warning light from a huge number of seemingly similar looking ones.

We understand this and certainly the manufacturers know this. But as confusing as this can be, having such a large range is necessary to facilitate each user’s unique application needs.

To help alleviate this confusion, we compiled this 5 simple steps you can use to guide your selection of your perfect warning light.

1. Understanding Your Environment

As with any other kind of industrial procurement, finding your warning light is all about understanding your environment.

Once you got that down, you are more than halfway towards finding your warning light.

Generally, warning lights can be broken down into 5 broad categories:

a) Single Colour Warning Lights

Single colour warning lights are simple: they produce only a single colour.

But in this single segment, there are a number of different variables you should take note of. Not to worry, as we would go into greater detail on this later.

b) Multi-Colour Warning Lights

Multi-colour warning lights are a recent introduction. They are known as QMCL in the Q-Light Series.

Produced with cost in mind, multi-colour warning lights stand out for their ability to emit several colour signals in a single warning light.

The Q-Light QMCL model, for instance, produces up to seven colour signals.

Their IP65 rating, meaning that they are waterproof and dustproof, also render them suitable for different environmental applications.

c) Warning Light with Horn

These warning lights offer you the best of both worlds: visual and audible signals.

One of the most common application we have seen for these lights are for lightning alert systems.

A preventive measure you should take before purchasing it for such outdoor application is to ensure that the warning light has the appropriate IP rating.

For instance, Q-Light’s basic model, the S100D, is IP54 rated.

This series is also frequently employed in large factories and warehouses. The clear visual and audible signals are vital in alerting employees of any impending danger from the large machineries in operation.

Some of these environments may be dusty, in which you would find that an IP66 rated model would be more appropriate for your use.

d) Heavy-Duty Warning Light

As the name suggests, heavy duty warning lights are specially designed to withstand impact and shock.

Q-Light’s heavy duty models, for example, make use of impact resistant polycarbonate lens and are armed with a stainless steel protection cage.

This extra protection has convinced more users to entrust them to be installed in construction sites and marine vessels. 

e) Explosion-Proof Warning Light

The core consideration behind every explosion-proof warning light is safety.

To ensure this, manufacturers have gone to great lengths to ensure that the lights come with the appropriate certifications.

The more prominent ones include ATEX, IECEx or NEPSI certification.

In choosing explosion-proof warning lights, you are already making a commitment towards your employees’ or customers’ safety.

Do follow this up by making sure that your vendors are able to confirm that their warning lights come with the relevant certificates before purchasing them.

2) Breaking Down Single Colour Warning Lights

As simple as they may seem, single colour warning lights come in many variations that can seem ridiculously confusing.

Yet, they can be easily understood when they are broken down into simple segments:

a) Normal Warning Lights

These are your normal function and application warning lights.

As they are only expected to perform simple functions, they are also often the cheapest models around.

b) Multi-Functional Lights

Multi-Functional Lights are the “jack of all trades” of the warning light species.

One single warning light is able to function in steady/flashing, strobe and simulated revolving functions.

Their diverse functionality means that users may see a diverse range of application for these lights. To facilitate this, the lights are designed to meet different environmental applications.

The Q-light MFL100 model, for example, is IP65 rated and resistant to shock and vibration. 

If cost is a key concern, you would be gratified to know that these lights are often not that much more expensive than the normal warning lights.

c) Solar Warning Lights

Solar warning lights are popular for their extreme user-friendliness. Not requiring any power supply or wiring, all you have to do is put it under the sun, mount it, flick on a switch, and you’re all set.

You may sometimes spot these lights being installed in cranes on construction sites or as road work signal lights.

You can find out more about this interesting light here 

d) Warning Lights for Vehicles

You would have easily seen these warning lights being used in emergency or safety vehicles on the road.

Warning light for vehicles are unique for their magnets underneath that allow strong adhesion to the vehicle as well as power supply through the cigarette lighter plug.

After finding the right warning light type or your application, you can now drill down into greater detail to find your specific warning light.

3) Light Type

Generally, there are three simple light types: Bulb, LED and Xenon.

Bulb models are the most basic and correspondingly, the cheapest. If you are simply looking for a simple warning light that does not need to be exceptionally bright, the bulb model is for you. 

Users that opt for LED models favour them for their greater brightness as compared to bulb models, lower energy consumption and longer lifespan 

If you require a warning light that produces signals which are exceptionally bright, you may want to look to Xenon. This model is capable of high intensity strobe flashes that are visible in both bright and dark environments. However, Xenon’s added functionality also means that they are slightly more costly than the rest.

4) Voltages

Warning light comes in 4 different voltages:

  • 12V
  • 24V
  • 110V
  • 220V

The more popular choices are the 24V and 220V models.

24V models are typically favoured when installing it atop a machine while the 220V models are compatible with Singapore’s local standard power supply.

5) Size

Sizing of the warning light is always an important variable.

You would always want your signal to be prominent but yet minimise unnecessary spending on larger warning lights.

These are just some of the more common sizes that are available:

Verdict:

Compared to signal tower lights, warning lights have less variation and are easier to select.

To make this selection process less tenuous, you should first gain a solid understanding of your operating environment.

Thereafter, it is a simple mix-and-match exercise for you to pick your warning light.


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