The Role of Industrial Indicator Lights
Indicator lights used in industrial environments primarily serve to alert operators to the status of machinery or equipment. In other words, they capture attention and prompt operators to take specific actions based on the color and its assigned function. When integrated into control panels, pendant stations, operator interfaces, or electrical cabinets, indicator lights serve a critical signaling function. They protect both machinery and personnel.
Complete Indicator Lights: Customizable and Modular Options
Industrial indicator lights provide information about system, machine, or equipment status through visual signals. They consist of three components: the body, whose part number indicates the bulb type and operating voltage; the head, whose part number indicates the color; and the filament or LED bulb.
Complete Indicator Lights for Repetitive Applications
Complete indicator lights are signaling devices that integrate all three components, consisting of heads and LED light blocks. They connect using screws or clamps and are available for operating voltages of 24 VDC and 130 and 230 VAC. Some models also operate at 660 VAC.
The monolithic Harmony XB4 and Harmony XB5 series from Schneider Electric, manufactured in plastic with a 22 mm diameter, represent some of the most comprehensive ranges available on the market. These indicator lights function as voltage presence indicators, fault warning lights, or general status indicators.
Quick and easy for operators to install, they secure with a single clamping nut.
Customizable Indicator Lights for Enhanced Flexibility
With integrated LEDs, direct power supply for BA 9s lamps, or a 1.2 VA - 6 V secondary transformer for BA 9s lamps, you can customize your indicator light to meet specific requirements. Simply select your body sub-assembly, then choose the head sub-assembly with the desired colored cap.
You can also opt for illuminated push buttons, illuminated rotary switches, flush or protruding styles with a set of 6 colored caps. This provides flexibility and modularity to serve your needs.
Choose body blocks and heads from Schneider Electric's ZB range.
The added benefit: the universal white LED block accepts any of the 6 available colored caps. For you, this means reduced inventory with just one LED block part number!
Modular Indicator Lights Integrated into Electrical Panels
Modular signal lights install in electrical cabinets and panels. They illuminate when voltage is applied, indicating the operating status of a circuit or machine. They show whether voltage is present or absent, making them particularly useful when operators need to work on electrical circuits.
They mount on DIN rails and typically operate at voltages ranging from 110 to 230VAC. Modular indicator lights connect to the electrical panel through a dedicated circuit breaker or directly to the upstream electrical network.
The Complete Range of Industrial Buttons and Indicator Lights
Illuminated Buttons and Safety Equipment
Indicator lights represent one of the most widely used methods for providing visual status indication in industrial applications. They must be immediately recognizable and detectable by operators who, depending on the light color, will take action on the associated equipment. Each color carries specific meaning: malfunction alerts, voltage presence in circuits, required maintenance or verification, for example.
Their positioning varies depending on the indicator light type:
- Stack light modules mount directly on machines, usually on the upper section for visibility from a distance.
- Panel-mount indicator lights integrate into electrical cabinet doors, distribution boxes, or control panels.
- Modular indicator lights install directly into electrical panels.
In all cases, they play an essential role in equipment and operator safety.
The NF EN 60073 standard, effective since May 2023, establishes a color code that must be followed to provide uniform information and consistent understanding for all operators, regardless of their field of activity. This represents a key element in optimizing company efficiency and productivity.
The Red Industrial Indicator Light
This indicates a dangerous situation requiring immediate operator action. Whether signaling power surges, abnormal temperature rises, or power failures, this red light alerts to imminent danger to personnel and/or machinery. The light can link to an emergency stop button that activates shutdown procedures.
The Yellow Industrial Indicator Light
This indicates an abnormal situation that may lead to potential danger. This could include machine overheating, excessive power consumption, or any breach of predefined thresholds. The operator must then intervene within a reasonable timeframe and/or closely monitor equipment condition.
The Green Industrial Indicator Light
This indicates normal operation. Equipment is functioning correctly with no risk to machinery or operators. No action is expected or required.
The Blue Industrial Indicator Light
This indicates that operator action is required to maintain proper machine or equipment function. This occurs, for example, when a control process needs resetting to begin a new cycle.
The White Industrial Indicator Light
Being neutral, this color assumes the meaning defined by the operator. No standardized meaning is assigned to white indicator lights. However, they're commonly used for general monitoring purposes, such as power indicators or voltage presence indicators on electrical circuits.
Industrial Indicator Lights: Visual Aids for Maintenance
Whether for preventive or corrective maintenance, remember that indicator lights are devices that should be integrated into all control and signaling systems. Their purpose is straightforward: to maximize machine, equipment, and installation activity while minimizing failure risk, maintenance and repair costs, and the inherent risks of working with energized equipment.
