Two Color Indicator Lights

678 Views 22 Replies 15 Participants Last post by JRaef, 9 d ago

460 Delta

Discussion Starter · 15 d ago

I’m getting ready to embark on yet another silo inventory level panel (panels) build.

This time I want to fancy up the high level indication so that the light color is normally green, then changes to red when the high level is triggered. The idea is that I will have an indication that the bindicator is actually running with power sent through it as shown by the green light. When the bindicator hits high, the light changes to red. I could easily just use another light, but I think that stacking another light for a system running status light is a little too much information overload.
My question is, do any of you know who makes a red/green 30mm preferably or 22mm as a second choice indicator light that won’t break the bank? I have about 12 of these lights to buy for 4 plants that need all of the silos monitored.

Don’t worry too much here, as I still plan on using my favorite SH

as much as possible for the rest of the building parts because of reasons I suppose. When I get my first one built, I’ll naturally post pictures so that all the usual suspects can nitpick me to death

.

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Almost Retired

· #2 · 15 d ago

why do you want the high level to show green when it is Not full ?
are you talking about a TOO high/overfull indication?
or the normally full indication?

to me
red is always a fault of some sort
green is always condition fulfilled/running correctly/process is how you want it to be

in your case i would use a stack light
the stack light would actually mimic the level in the silo which seems to be more intuitive to me
or a set of lights on the panel face stacked in a column

the bottom being power on and normal (this should always be on)
next higher would be the empty indication (if needed/wanted)
next higher would be green the normal full indication
next higher would be the over full indication (if needed/wanted)
the top light would be a fault flashing red (and a horn outside, if it is for people not in the room where the controls are)

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splatz

· #3 · 15 d ago

What voltage for the lights? Automation Direct has some fairly cheap but only for 24V.

If you save money with 24V lights, you don't have to install too many to pay for the 24V power supply, and the door is safer.

Also, for whatever reason, the red-green and multicolor lights are more expensive than two separate lights. This is a personal preference but you can label a red light "alarm" and it's clear that if someone notices it's on, it's something they ought to mention. Flashing and /or a buzzer is better because it's annoying and people DEFINITELY know it's not always flashing and buzzing.

And believe it or not, some types of color blind, not uncommon, have trouble distinguishing red from green.

Reactions: 5

splatz

· #4 · 15 d ago

This place has single color 22mm UL listed 24V lights for $6, I think they are made in Italy. I have used other components from this place with no problems.

ASI - Electrical and Electronic Components Distributor (sourceasi.com)

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mburtis

· #5 · 15 d ago

I like the idea of one light that changes when in alarm. What if you used a 1 color light but when the high level switch made it activated a flasher module. Solid on is good, flashing is bad, out is no power or bad bulb. Not sure if it would be cheaper or not...

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Almost Retired

· #6 · 15 d ago

mburtis said:
I like the idea of one light that changes when in alarm. What if you used a 1 color light but when the high level switch made it activated a flasher module. Solid on is good, flashing is bad, out is no power or bad bulb. Not sure if it would be cheaper or not...

and what color would you use for that light ?

mburtis

· #7 · 15 d ago

Blue just to piss everyone off.

Ive completely stopped caring about color codes, somethings green is running OK, red is stopped or could be alarm, somethings green is off and safe, red is on or danger. Then throw color blindness into the mix.

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billymac93

· #8 · 15 d ago

I've worked with "Banner" brand units that do what you want. The ones I used were 24V dc , two colour (red or green), and available in 22mm and 30mm. Check out their website

Reactions: 1

SWDweller

· #9 · 15 d ago

Nix on the dual color indicator light. Old school. I want their eyes going to a different part of the panel for an alarm. Maybe add a strobe for a problem situation.

Also add push to test, for all the lamps. Spend more and get LED's then you only have to change them once a year. >8000 hours in a year.

I spend some time at a Rubber Made plant in West Phoenix. Each work station had 6 colored lights,
30 workstations. No horns or sirens but it did get colorful at times.

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460 Delta

Discussion Starter · #10 · 15 d ago

In response to all, the green would indicate that the high level is powered up and running, when the high level trips, it shows red, and the alarm sounds as well.
The system voltage is 120 volt ac.
The past panels I built had a push to test function built into the panel power on light. Unfortunately a few drivers liked to push the test button at inappropriate times to startle the batch plant operator because of driver reasons.

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CraziFuzzy

· #11 · 15 d ago

Color blindness is a real thing. Color changing indicator lamps are dangerous.

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samgregger

· #12 · 15 d ago

Gotta agree with others here and vote in favor of two separate lamps

"Hey that light on the panel is on."
"Oh, that light is always on"

Without realizing it changed colors ,

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wiz1997

· #13 · 15 d ago

I've worked in many refinery and chemical plants were indicator lights are red for running and green for standing by (not running).

I don't believe there is a "standard" color code.

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ScooterMcGavin

· #14 · 14 d ago

wiz1997 said:
I've worked in many refinery and chemical plants were indicator lights are red for running and green for standing by (not running).

I don't believe there is a "standard" color code.

There is. Just depends on who's standard. In the power world its all red: running/valve open "danger", green: stopped/valve closed "safe", blue: "overcurrent/tripped" and amber "misc information." There is also the stoplight methodology Red: "Stop" Green: "Go". Sometimes the same plant will have both systems thats when it gets real interesting.

personally I'm not a fan of using multicolor lights because it seems most operators don't really seem to give the color of the light a whole lot of thought. I think a light that's on which normally would be much more attention grabbing.

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460 Delta

Discussion Starter · #15 · 14 d ago

You all have brought up some valid points to consider about red-green color blindness and operations inattention. I was only thinking of the state of change, where green means system is running, and all is well, and the high limit is hit and switch to red in addition to the audible alarm.

I was trying to avoid the multitude of indicator lights in a vertical line, but in all honesty you have changed my mind in a good way.

I will however stay with 120vac lights though as that’s what the bindicators run off of, and I’ll loop the motor power through the NC contacts for the system running green light.

Thanks guys.

Reactions: 4

glen1971

· #16 · 13 d ago

I found out a few years ago that I'm Red/Green color blind. I told them that would be tough, since mixing those two up at work would be bad. But on those dot cards, where you are supposed to see a number, I failed apparently. I can still see the different indicator lights.

MotoGP1199

· #17 · 13 d ago

Im with everyone else. Seperate lights is the way to go. One of my guys is red green color blind. Says he only knows to stop at signigals based off of light position.

Reactions: 2

gpop

· #18 · 13 d ago

We did a lime silo with 4 bindicators and used 12v led truck lights because they complained they could not see the panel lights from a distance. As the silo filled the lights on the panel indicated the level in 1/4 increments. They also flashed if the self test failed on the bindicator.

Reactions: 4

Wardenclyffe

· #19 · 11 d ago

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Wardenclyffe

· #20 · 11 d ago

50mm Dome Indicator Light - 3 Color Pilot Light with Buzzer - 24 VDC - Continuous or Flashing - Steady On (superbrightleds.com)

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