Important Information On LED Obstruction Lighting

By Brian Bailey


Usually, warning lights in aircrafts are fitted on tall structures in order to ensure that such structure are visible. The lights serve to notify to the aircraft availability of a tall structure at a given point. While such lights are commonly used at night, they are used during the day as well. These lights should be sufficiently bright such that the structure can be viewed from miles away. It is for this reason that LED obstruction lighting serve an important purpose.

Obstruction lights generally come in various types and fall into three general categories. The first classification is the low-intensity light which is usable in places where the intensity of objects as well as structures remain few. Under such circumstances, objects, as well as structures in these areas normally stand at 45 meters or less above the ground level.

The second type of these obstruction lights is the medium intensity lights. In this case, the medium intensity obstacle light is used where the structure or the object is quite extensive. Basically, the height of the object above the surrounding ground should be greater than 45 meters for this types of lights to be used. The third category is the high intensity obstacle lights that are used to show presence of an object that extends above 150 meters.

Presently, regulations enforce the reliance on white strobes in the day while at night red lights are preferred. This is for the reason that pilots usually have easier time spotting red lights at night hence their common use around urban areas. White strobes, on the contrary, are commonly recommended for use in places that are sparsely populated.

On the other hand, it is usually challenging for pilots to see the white strobes during the night. This offers a better explanation why they are not mainly used at night. At the same time, they have an effect on eye health for people around them. The medium white strobes are, however, fitted on those structure with a height of 200-500 feet. If the medium intensity lights are on structure exceeding 500 feet, the structure need to be painted.

High-intensity strobes or white may be placed on structures that go beyond 700 feet so as to guarantee their visibility. They are usually also usable both at daytime and night time. Again, airplanes have warning lights on them to aid in easy identification especially by other airplanes as they fly. Such lights usually include the wingtip navigation lights, wingtip strobes, white flashing beacons and the landing lights.

Mostly, the obstruction lighting are designed such that the maintenance team receive warning in case of malfunction. They usually contain an in-built alarm that produces a sound if there is a problem. Apart from safety, these types of lights are also eco-friendly. They do not have any negative effect to the environment.

In addition, an obstacle light is designed using components that feature high-quality. In consequence, minimal maintenance, as well as replacement costs will be needed. The quality materials relied on in their crafting elongates their lifespan. Because such lights remain very efficient, their electric energy consumption is usually low hence translating into low power bill.




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