Skip to content
Electricalterminology

Electricalterminology

Best Blog for Basic Electrical Knowledge

Primary Menu
  • Electric
  • Manufacturers & Brands
  • Electronics
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Affiliate Disclosure
  • Home
  • Electric
  • Panel Indicator Lights: Basics, Colors, Selection
  • Electric

Panel Indicator Lights: Basics, Colors, Selection

electricalterminology 1 year ago
what is an indicator light

steel pipelines and cables in a plant,Industrial zone.

What is an Indicator Light?

The indicator light is a panel-mounted lamp assembly consisting of an indicator housing, an internal lamp, terminals, and a lens. The light source of indicator light is a high brightness pure color LED or incandescent bulb.

As the name implies, indicator lights reveal the status (ON or OFF) of an electrical apparatus in switchboards. In more sophisticated systems, the indicating lights may annunciate the cause of the current interruption, such as line-to-ground fault, overload, and overcurrent condition.

The customer usually selects the color of the lights for a particular indicating function. In selecting indicating lights, it is of paramount importance to know their voltage and resistance rating because these parameters establish the minimum current rating of the contact that controls the switching of the lights.

A motor’s fuses, circuit breakers, magnetic starters, and relays are all housed within a metallic cabinet—located on what is commonly known as a motor control center—on the front panel where the indicator lights and the start-stop pushbuttons are located.

modular indicator light

Colors of Indicator Lights

Indicator lights include a colored lens such as red, green, blue, yellow/amber, clear, or white. These colored lenses symbolize the condition of the machine or equipment to which the lights are connected.

The IEC standard has adopted strict requirements concerning the application of indicator lamps. For example, IEC 60204-1 requires indicator lamps to be color-coded for universal application according to the format in the table:

Colors of indicator lights

Why LEDs are used in Indicator Lights?

LEDs are used in indicator lights due to the following reasons:

  • LEDs are used when the heat generated by incandescent lamps would damage nearby equipment or interfere with a precision process. This is particularly advantageous when multiple lights are grouped.
  • LEDs can operate at low temperatures which would cause incandescent lamps to fail since glass cracks during rapid cooling.
  • LEDs consume 50 times less power than incandescent lamps, thereby reducing energy consumption.
  • LEDs last 500 times longer than incandescent lamps. LEDs average a million hours (114 years) while incandescent lamps average 2000 hours.
  • LEDs do not generally “blow out” unless subjected to a severe overvoltage. They exhibit a half-life type diminishment in brightness over time. After 50,000 hours (6 years) of use, LEDs will retain approximately half of their original intensity.
  • LEDs have high visibility.
  • LEDs require little or no maintenance because of their long life and high reliability.

Selection Parameters of an Indicator Light

When selecting an indicator light for a switchboard, the following parameters should be considered:

  • Color
  • Supply voltage
  • Head type (Compact or modular)
  • IP Rating
  • Standards
  • Ambient and storage temperature
  • Service life

Continue Reading

Previous: Contactor Coil: Working principle, Troubleshooting, Coil Voltage
Next: Common Causes of an Arc Flash Analyzed Technically!

Related Stories

Arc Flash Relay Essential Guide to Arc Flash Relays and Protection
  • Electric

Essential Guide to Arc Flash Relays and Protection

electricalterminology 3 hours ago
Dual Function Circuit Interrupter From A to Z: Dual Function Circuit Interrupters
  • Electric

From A to Z: Dual Function Circuit Interrupters

electricalterminology 5 days ago
Advantages and Disadvantages of Incandescent Lamps Advantages and Disadvantages of Incandescent Lamps
  • Electric

Advantages and Disadvantages of Incandescent Lamps

electricalterminology 2 weeks ago
VFD Parts and Functions VFD Parts: A Guide to Their Essential Functions
  • Electric

VFD Parts: A Guide to Their Essential Functions

electricalterminology 3 weeks ago
Applications of 3 Phase Induction Motors in Industries Applications of 3-Phase Induction Motors in Industries
  • Electric

Applications of 3-Phase Induction Motors in Industries

electricalterminology 3 weeks ago
Advantages of DC Motors Advantages of DC Motors: Power and Performance
  • Electric

Advantages of DC Motors: Power and Performance

electricalterminology 3 weeks ago

Posts List

Advantages of Transducers Advantages of Transducers for Optimal Measurement

Advantages of Transducers for Optimal Measurement

Advantages of Infrared Sensors Advantages of Infrared Sensors: Improved Accuracy and More

Advantages of Infrared Sensors: Improved Accuracy and More

VFD Faults Causes Prevention Techniques VFD Faults: Causes and Prevention Techniques

VFD Faults: Causes and Prevention Techniques

Advantages of PCB Advantages of PCB (Printed Circuit Board) in Electronics

Advantages of PCB (Printed Circuit Board) in Electronics

Diode Failures Causes Prevention Tips Diode Failures: Causes & Prevention Tips

Diode Failures: Causes & Prevention Tips

PLC Selection PLC Selection 101: Tips and Tricks for a Successful Choice

PLC Selection 101: Tips and Tricks for a Successful Choice

Categories

  • Electric
  • Electronics
  • Manufacturers & Brands
  • Uncategorized

Pages

  • About Us
  • Affiliate Disclosure
  • Contact

Recent Posts

  • Essential Guide to Arc Flash Relays and Protection
  • From A to Z: Dual Function Circuit Interrupters
  • Advantages of Transducers for Optimal Measurement
  • Advantages of Infrared Sensors: Improved Accuracy and More
  • Advantages and Disadvantages of Incandescent Lamps
Copyright © All rights reserved. | Magnitude by AF themes.