Warning light refers to a type of device, which produces or generates continual flashes or whirling of light indicating a prevailing emergency.
The light flashes of warning light follow a specific sequence known as pattern depending on the device’s settings.
In this article, we will discuss all the core elements surrounding warning lights.
You’ll also know the best types of warning lights to consider depending on the wide-ranging applications.
Uses of LED Warning Light
LED Warning light
LED warning light finds multiple uses since it utilizes minimal power consumption as well as its inexpensive construction.
The common uses of this type of light include the following;
Creating Right of way for Emergency Vehicles
LED warning light is used by different types of emergency vehicles that need to move faster, especially during accidents.
This light signals other drivers and road users to create a way for fast-moving first responders.
Counteracting Problematic Driving Conditions
Several motorists also use LED warning lights to handle prevailing issues to do with problematic driving conditions.
For instance, in heavy fog, a powerful light would be effective to cut through making the vehicle more visible to other road users.
Warning of a Hazard
Motorists can also use the emergency lights to warn other road users of the potential hazard, especially when the vehicle is stationary.
The essence is to prevent other oncoming vehicles from ramming into the stationary car hence avoiding accidents.
Enhancing Roads Visibility
LED warning lights are used to provide visibility of roads by providing relevant signals to the road-users.
Railroad crossings, stop signs, construction barriers on the road, caution signs, and even railway crossings can be handy in attracting driver’s attention.
The essence here is it makes it possible for the road users to avoid unnecessary confusion and accidents.
Enhancing Safety in Aviation Industry
Pilots use it to determine an aircraft’s position at night or during low-visibility conditions.
Modern aircraft must integrate white or red anti-collision warning lights on the wingtips and ensure they stay day and night.
Types of LED Warning Lights in the Market
Warning light
When shopping for ideal LED warning lights, you are likely to come across different market types.
It is essential since it broadens your choices, making it easy to select the right one for your specific needs.
Some of the common types of LED warning lights in the market include the following;
Flashing Strobe LED Warning Lights
This type of LED warning light is also referred to as a stroboscopic lamp and used to emit regular light flashes.
It features a high signaling effect through bursting white lights.
Flashing strobe light contains glass tubes filled with xenon gas, which produce a bright flashing sequence to cover a wider range.
This device is common on moving machinery, service vehicles, lifting equipment and security gate among others.
Additionally, you can use this type of LED warning lights for evacuation signals during emergencies like chemical spills and fires.
Rotating LED Warning Lights
The design of this type of warning light is to intentionally provide an effective warning signal.
It is commonly used on moving vehicles and uses a rotating mirror light due to its efficiency.
Rotating LED warning lights to contain LED internal, including a mirror.
Essentially, the mirror works as a reflector hence providing a focused light beam that attracts attention.
In some instances, you can use rotating LED warning lights similar to flashing strobe LED warning lights.
However, these can only be seen on emergency vehicles such as police cars, ambulances and firefighters among others.
You can find them in a wide range of colors such as red, blue and amber.
Pulsing LED Warning Lights
This type of LED warning light is designed to assist with safety and efficiency in hazardous environments.
Also known as blinking, it is commonly used on machinery to serve as an alarm or warning signal.
The essence is to keep people in a hazardous environment safe and keep the process efficient.
Pulsed warning lights are highly durable and energy-saving since they use LED interiors.
Other than moving vehicles and machinery, you can also find pulsing LED warning lights on tall buildings to keep aircrafts safe.
Material Consideration for V16 Emergency Light
LED warning light
Manufacturers of V16 warning lights are conscious of the fact that the materials must be resistant to several factors.
An ideal material should withstand mechanical force the device is likely to be exposed to, especially when it falls.
It should also portray high resistance to moisture since the device can be used in any environment in case of an emergency.
Moreover, material consideration should consider anti-scratch elements that might hinder the reflectivity of the warning light.
Importantly, it should be lightweight to make it easily portable.
The suitable material for this device is thermoplastic, such as polycarbonate and acrylic.
Benefits of IP Rating in V16 LED Warning Light
IP rating is advantageous in V16 warning light in a wide range of aspects including the following;
IP rating
- Guarantees device’s resistance against solid objects
- Demonstrates protection of device against moisture
- Shows complete dust protection
Parts of LED Warning Lights
LED warning lights are made of different parts.
Some of the major parts of this device include the following;
- Dome: It refers to the outer cover of the warning light often available in a variety of colors including blue, amber, red, white, colorless etc.
- Globe: An electric light that has a wire filament often heated until it glows.
- Flange: A protruded lip serves to increase strength for easy attachment of contact force.
- Base: The bottom part of the LED warning light holding the entire device together and holding it in place on a surface.
- Lens: Reflectors sitting over the LED to enable control and altering of beams of light.
- Switch: Component used for stopping and allowing electric energy to flow through the circuit.
- Battery: A single anode and cathode separated by electrolyte used to produce a current and voltage
How V16 LED Warning Light Works
LED warning light use flashtubes, which obtain energy from a capacitor.
A capacitor is a device similar to a battery but it can charge and release energy a bit faster.
The essence of charging it is to trigger the flash from power diverted into a trigger-transformer.
Transformer produces a weak but relatively high-voltage spike necessary to ionize the xenon gas available inside a flash tube.
Inside the tube, an arc is formed acting as the capacitor’s path for discharging through.
In essence, it allows capacitor to discharge energy into the formed arc quickly.
Energy from the capacitor heats the xenon gas faster to create a bright plasma discharge appearing as flash.
LED warning light without capacitor merely releases mains energies across tube immediately it’s triggered.
Ideally, the latter type of LED warning light does not need charging thus allows for faster flash rates.
However, it considerably decreases the longevity of the flash tube if powered for considerable times.
Benefits of using LED in Warning Light
Technological advancements in the recent past have seen LED as a preferred material for different types of warning lights.
LED is beneficial in a wide range of ways, thus making it an ideal material for such devices.
Some of the advantages of LED in warning light include the following;
a) Long-life
LED components and how they generate light extend the longevity of the warning lights.
This material emits low heat levels, are durable, and energy-efficient thus enabling it to outlive other bulbs by several hours.
LEDs hardly burn out the manner others do.
However, the light intensity they produce reduces gradually, a process known as lumen depreciation.
b) High Brightness and Intensity
LEDs can emit an extremely high level of brightness.
It is the reason wattage doesn’t qualify as a viable measurement for brightness.
The advantage here is it allows you to get the ideal brightness but still save considerable energy.
c) Exceptional Color Range
LEDs provide a broad range of colours and color heats without using creams or shades of light.
It uses the definite diode charged to adjust the color of the emitted light, thus guaranteeing the similar shade until end of its lifetime.
d) Directional Lighting
Purposely, LED tend to discharge light in a singular direction instead of all-round.
In essence, this enhances energy efficiency since there is no light trapped or wasted within the reflectors and diffusers.
The directional design of LEDs output makes them suitable for applications revolving around warning lights.
e) Low Radiated Heat
LED warning lights emit electromagnetic energy as light when electrified.
The conversion of energy into light rather than heat enables LED to operate at significantly low temperatures.
f) Reliability
You can use LED warning lights in extreme conditions such as low temperatures.
They can also withstand more impact since they do not contain filament or any fragile components.
Thus, stability enhances their reliability and suitable to use in places subject to temperature fluctuations and severe weather.
g) Eco-friendly
LED is friendly to the environment. It does not emit any form of toxic gases that would contaminate the surrounding.
Factors Affecting Lifespan of V16 LED Warning Light
Numerous elements affect the longevity of V16 LED warning light.
However, the common ones are as follows;
Power Supply
Infrequent power supply and fluctuations often reduce the life of V16 warning light.
You must ensure you provide a reliable power supply, which helps maximize power output and longevity of these warning lights.
Capacitors and Drivers
These warning lights use different types of LED capacitors for storing energy.
Plastic capacitors often have a shorter lifespan, especially when you use the warning lights regularly.
External factors such as ambient temperature and heat affect such capacitors hence reducing their overall durability.
However, ceramic capacitors have higher tolerance against heat hence guarantee longer life in V16 LED warning light.
Ambient Temperature
The temperature where V16 LED warning light is placed also determines its durability.
For instance, enclosed warning lights fixtures can experience a surge in ambient temperature, affecting the chip and driver.
Consequently, this can reduce the lifespan of this device significantly.
When using LED warning lights, it is advisable to place them in locations that flourish enough space for heat to dissipate and allow appropriate cooling.
Heat Emission
V16 LED warning lights to have chips and heat sinks, which are sensitive to high temperatures.
For example, the life of LED warning light is expected to reduce should its temperature go beyond 85° C.
Visibility Range of LED Warning Light
The actual visibility range of LED warning light is determined by the light intensity the device produces.
Also, the terrain is a determinant element of the reflectiveness of this particular type of lighting device.
Moreover, time also influences the visibility range of warning lights.
For instance, at night, the reflectiveness is visible from a further distance than during the day.
Nevertheless, with all factors at constant, you should be able to see LED warning light from at least 600 meters at night.
Recommended Color for V16 LED Warning Light
Lighting range for LED warning light
When choosing an ideal color for V16 LED warning light, it is vital to go for a color that can cut through fog, just in case.
Generally, the longer the wavelength of the light, the more efficient it is as a warning light.
Red is the most suitable color you can always opt for. It has a wavelength of between 620 and 750 nanometers.
If you’re unable to use red due to varied reasons, you may as well opt for orange, which offers a wavelength of between 590 and 620 nanometers.
Nonetheless, Yellow would also be an ideal consideration since it offers a wavelength of between 570 and 590 nanometers.
Type of LED to use in Warning Light
Warning lights come in a variety of configurations.
Of course, this is essential since it provides a considerable degree of flexibility when choosing a preferred one.
Some of these configurations include the following;
a) Single- color
It is the standard configuration for an LED used in warning light.
This design consists of two leads, a cathode and an anode.
Single-color LED comes on and off depending on when the current passes through the diode.
b) Bi -color
It is a design, which uses a pair of LEDs wired in an inverse parallel formation.
Essentially, it enables one LED to be irradiated at a time-dependent on the polarity of an applied voltage.
c) Tri-color
This configuration uses two different LEDs but in a different standard with two anode connections and a single cathode.
In this case, every LED has a different color, making it easy to turn on each LED separately.
You can also have different intensities of both LEDs to further vary the color.
d) Flashing LEDs
It is a type of LED relatively easy to implement.
The package contains LED and a simple IC, which provides a timing function to allow the LED to flash.
Available Flash Patterns in LED Warning Lights
LED warning lights have a broad range of warning lights.
They can be used interchangeably or simultaneously depending on the prevailing incident or preference.
Some of the common patterns include the following;
- Double-flash
- Warp
- Quad flash
- Quint
- Power runner
- Quad 2 flash
- LCR quint
- Lite speed
- Supersonic
- Supersonic ultra
- Tempo shift
- Tempo shift warp
- Ultra-glow
- Cyclone
- Chameleon
Luminous Intensity to Look for in V16 LED Warning Light
The luminous intensity, also known as brightness level, is often measured in units referred to as candela.
Ideally, the brightness of 1 candela is almost similar to the brightness of a common candle.
For V16 LED warning light, the ideal luminous intensity to look for should range from 40-80 candelas at a 0 grade.
But for grades ± 8 a minimum of 25 candelas would suffice.
In both instances, the light intensity shall be maintained at for at least 30 minutes.
Dimension of LED warning light
Type of Battery to use in V16 LED Warning Light
The use of high-quality 6LR61 alkaline batteries is recommended.
In this case, the most suitable battery to use in V16 LED warning light is a 9V battery.
Essentially, this type of battery is are largely for commercial use and are relatively easy to find.
9V battery does not necessarily suffer from sulfation at the terminals and tends to offer high performance.
Moreover, this battery guarantees at least 5 years of effective usage depending on the storage conditions.
This type of battery can also be activated manually by turning its base.
How to Turn on V16 LED Warning Light
For manual V16 LED warning lights, there is an On/OFF button you’ll need to press accordingly to affect the type of function you need.
It is quite simple and straightforward.
However, other types of this device turn on automatically once activated by a magnetic induction when it comes into contact with iron surface upon placing on vehicle’s roof.
Working Temperature for V16 LED Warning Light
The ideal working temperature for V16 LED warning light must be within -10° C and 50° C.
Any temperature levels beyond the specified range tend to reduce the longevity of this particular lighting device.
Why V16 Emergency Lights are better than Classic Car Tringles
Warning light
Technically, the V16 emergency lights are designed to replace the classic car triangles in road hazard situations.
The latter is preferable since it fits any situation in addition to road hazard.
Another reason is that V16 emergency lights are easier to operate. You simply need to turn the plunger of the lamp to connect to allow it to flash continuously.
Other than road hazard emergencies, you can also use the V16 LED warning lights as in hiking, mountaineering, nautical etc.
Moreover, it is approved, and it is a fully legal form of signaling worldwide.
In Spain, the national road’s agency is planning to bin breakdown warning triangles and making V16 emergency lights mandatory.
The agency is projecting a full implementation of V16 warning lights to all motorists by the year 2025.
The DGT plans show that new amber flashing emergency lights would be positioned by motorists on the vehicle’s roof (The most visible part of it).
Principally, this signals the end of the classic breakdown emergency triangles in Spain and other EU member states.
Rules and Regulations for using LED Warning Light
Several rules and regulations guide usage of LED warning lights.
Implementation of such rules, however, varies from one country to another.
Some of the basic policies guiding usage of such devices include the following;
- LED warning lights fitted on vehicles are legal only if they have an approval mark from the relevant responsible body/urgency.
- You may choose to fit LED warning lights on your vehicle at your discretion. However, they must fully comply with all stipulations for color, position and use.
- Warning lights should never be used in any way that would cause discomfort to other road users.
- The LED warning lights must always be in good condition. It is an offence to use a malfunctioning emergency light on the roads.
- If a warning light device is fitted with two or more LEDs at least 50% of the LEDs must be working to be considered in perfect condition.
- A single switch must control all emergency lights. It should cause all the directions indicators fixed to the vehicle to flash simultaneously even when engine is switched off.
- You must fit a circuit flashing light that can operate together with any direction indicator.
- Emergency light are generally legal for civilian use if the purpose is to monitor private property.
- Red and blue LED warning lights are largely not for civilian use unless there is an exception since it would appear like impersonating law enforcement agencies.
Warranty Period for V16 LED Emergency Light
Different V16 LED warning lights’ manufacturers offer varying warranty terms and conditions.
Therefore, it is important to ensure you read and understand these conditions.
Generally, V16 LED warning lights are quite durable; hence most manufacturers often provide a better warranty.
In most instances, the warranty period often ranges from 2-5 years, depending on the type of V16 LED warning lights.
All the same, you need to ensure inquire from the manufacturer or supplier regarding the specific warranty conditions.
Cost of LED Warning Lights
The cost of LED warning lights is dependent on a wide range of variables.
Fundamentally, the type of material used to manufacture this device plays a great role in determining the actual price.
Also, the size and wattage are other determining factors of cost for purchasing LED warning lights.
If you are purchasing the devices from a manufacturer or supplier for reselling, the order quantity also determines the price.
You are likely to get better discounts when purchasing LED warning lights in large quantity and vice versa.
Another determinant price factor of LED warning lights is the overall design construction.
Some designs are a bit expensive since they incorporate additional features, which you can hardly find in some simple designs.
And importantly, the specific brand you are buying also influences the actual price of the light you are purchasing.
Some brands are a bit costly since they have established a formidable reputation in the market.
Other new entrants, however, are relatively affordable; thus, you can obtain them at cost-effective rates.
Nonetheless, you can find these types of lights for as low as $10 depending on the manufacturer and some of the aforementioned factors.
Factors to Consider in a Suitable V16 LED Warning Light
When looking for the right V16 LED warning light, there are several elements you need to consider.
In many instances, such factors contribute largely to enhancing efficiency of these warning lights.
Some of the core elements you must have in mind include the following;
Compatibility
V16 LED warning lights to come in different types suited for varied applications.
Always ensure you go for the right one, which is compatible with the specific application.
Compatibility is vital since it helps in guaranteeing efficiency and best results from the respective application.
Moreover, choose one, which is compatible with vehicles equipped with 12/24 volt power socket.
Installation
An ideal V16 LED should be easy to install, whether on the vehicle are any other relevant point.
Most of these lights come with magnets pod, which you only need to attach on a metallic exterior surface and switch the plug.
Easy installation is vital since it makes it easy and fast to use it, especially during emergencies.
Flash Patterns
Different V16 LED warning lights to have different flash patterns.
Of course, each flash pattern signals a different aspect of the emergency or hazardous situation.
Therefore, ensure you find one that has switches for different patterns to cycle through modes.
Dimensions
These warning lights come in varied sizes, small, medium and relatively large.
Of course, the suitable size is dependent on your specific applications.
For instance, firefighting engines would need comparatively large V16 LED warning lights than a private vehicle.
Brightness
A super-bright V16 LED warning light has better output, which is imperative for most of these applications.
Essentially, the brighter the warning light, the better the visibility in daylight, midnight, foggy or rainy days and vice versa.
Construction
The design construction of V16 LED warning light is another fundamental element you must consider when purchasing one.
You can find them in different designs, but the specific choice is largely dependent on your preference.
Nevertheless, always go for one with sturdy construction but more convenient for your particular application.
Longevity
The durability of this device is also an important factor to consider.
Generally, LED material makes the V16 warning light highly durable.
However, you also need to consider other aspects such as design and the type of material used in constructing the device.
Quality
Ultimately, the quality of V16 warning light is a vital aspect that you must look into when choosing this device.
Of course, they are available in different qualities based on several factors such as design construction and type of materials.
Some tend to have relatively inferior quality, especially the knock-offs whereas are designed in superior quality.
The bottom line is you must ensure you find a quality V16 LED warning light.
V16 Signal requirements for Approval
Warning lights revolve around a wide range of elements necessary for facilitating the operational efficiency.
All these aspects require approval from the relevant agencies to ensure they comply with the required standards.
Some of the essential characteristics that a typical V16 warning light must meet include the following;
Luminosity -The design of the lighting device must emit a horizontal flash of light of 360 degrees.
Vertically, it should operate similarly with a margin of 8° up and down always in yellow.
The degree of IP protection should be at least IP54.
Frequency for emitting flashes should be between 0.8 and 2.0 Hz.
Importantly, all the above characteristics must comply with UNE EN-ISO 17025 standards.
The tests approving compliance of the lights must have been conducted in an accredited laboratory.
How LED Warning Lights are used on Vehicles
LED warning lights are used in various emergencies, which require attention or alert.
However, they are used differently depending on the specific vehicle and prevailing emergency circumstances.
Here are how the main emergency organization use LED warning lights on their respective vehicles;
Warning light on car
Firefighters
Most fire trucks tend to illuminate red and white lights.
It is the same color, which other vehicles such as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) vehicles and ambulances also similar colors.
Notably, you can only fit the optional emergency light colors on the service and utility vehicles to face the rear.
Police Vehicles
They use deep red, deep blue or an amalgamation of the two colors.
However, some law execution officers use amber or white, but such lights are normally constructed to face back part of the vehicle.
Such amber lights commonly take the shape of an arrow.
Volunteers
Many countries authorize use of warning lights on emergency medical technicians and firefighter volunteers.
Even so, every country stipulates precise use and color of LED emergency lights for such helpers to prevent confusing other motorists.
Therefore, it would be necessary to know your country’s laws before purchasing any warning light for your vehicle as a volunteer.
Common Applications of LED Warning Lights
You can use LED warning lights in a wide range of applications such as the following;
- Vehicle warning signs
- Machinery
- Mountaineering
- Hiking
- Camping at night
- Industrial facilities
- Warehouses
- Wide-load hauling
Who uses V16 LED Emergency Lights
Ideally, anyone can use V16 LED emergency lights on their vehicles to caution other road users on the prevailing hazard.
However, whether they can be used is a different aspect.
The decision on who can use these types of lights vary based on specific countries.
Moreover, there are restrictions as far as the specific colors you can use is concerned.
Nonetheless, here are some of the vehicles commonly attached to V16 LED warning lights;
a) Volunteer firefighters and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). This is common in rural communities where public lighting may be challenging or minimal on back roads.
b) Wrecker vehicles and Tow trucks.
c) Construction workers at the respective sites, especially on roads and bridges.
d) Officials conducting government duties, especially where additional visibility is required.
You may also use this type of emergency light on private property or off-road.
However, the specific color you can use is dependent on your country’s or state’s regulations.
In most instances, many countries or states will hardly allow private users to use blue or red LED warning lights on vehicles.
Principally, these two colors are conventionally a reserve for professional paramedics, police officers, and firefighters operating professional vehicles.
Civilians using such colors would confuse; the more reason authorities always try to prevent in different scenarios.
Difference between SAE J595 and SAE J845
SAE J595 and SAE J845 are identifiers used in classifying LED warning lights.
When choosing the most suitable one for your application, you are likely to come across these identifiers.
Technically, these titles talk about functionality of light, and class ratings of SAE are equivalent in both instances.
SAE J595 is a directional sporadic optical emergency lights more, or less of a flashlight pointing one direction.
Contrarily, SAE J845 implies to a 360° or omnidirectional optical warning lights.
In essence, the peculiarity between the two classes is dependent on the direction of light; directional or omnidirectional.
Nevertheless, the light intensity of these light categories is the same.
In other words, a SAE J845 Class 1 emergency light and a SAE J595 Class 1 warning light tend to have equal in illumination.
The main difference is you can see SAE J595 Class 1 emergency light from a particular direction and SAE J845 Class 1 light from different directions.
Difference between SAE Class 1, SAE Class 2 and SAE Class 3 Warning Lights
Installing LED warming light
They vary on different aspects as follows;
SAE Class 1 Warning Lights
Mostly used for crisis response vehicles such as firefighting machines, ambulances and police cars.
The candela value for lights in this category is greater than 8100 cd. However, others can reach up to about 18,000 cd-s/m if when used in clearing traffic emergencies.
Comparatively, SAE Class 1 warning lights are four and ten times more powerful than SAE Class 2 warning lights and SAE Class 3 emergency lights respectively.
SAE Class 2 Warning Lights
Majorly used on service and utility vehicles, which move at a specific or below the recommended speed of traffic.
The lights in this category have candela values ranging from 1981 cd to 8099 cd-s/m.
Slow-moving vehicles, or those blocking traffic have emergency lights with a candela value of about 4,500 cd.
Ideally, warning lights under SAE Class 2 are approximately 2.5 times brighter than those in SAE class 3
SAE Class 3 Warning Lights
Seemingly, it is a class of warning lights with the lowest light intensity among all these three SAE light classes.
Mostly, they are common insider constructions where ambient if sunlight is somewhat low.
You can as well use SAE class 3 warning lights on specialized machinery, forklifts or eye-catching effects at indoor events and trade shows.
Nevertheless, the stipulations for LED warning lights vary depending on jurisdiction and application.
At Goldmore, we offer a range of IP rated and high-performance warning lights depending on your unique requirements and specifications.
Besides, we also support OEM businesses.
Contact us today for your V16 LED warming lights.