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Visual Signaling
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Industrial Flashing Strobe Beacons

Pfannenberg Visual Signaling Devices

Industrial Flashing Strobe Beacons

Flashing beacons utilize glass tubes filled with xenon gas to produce a bright flash of light when energized. The technology is also used for strobe lights and flash photography.

A typical flash rate is once per second – but this can vary by device. Units with multiple flash capability offer a variety of flash sequences and rates.

Flashing beacons offer the highest degree of signaling effect and are widely used for evacuation alarms for fires, toxic gas leaks, and chemical spills; as well as for warning of moving machinery and structures such as lifting equipment, service vehicles, safety barriers, gates, and doors.

Why Choose Pfannenberg Visual Signaling Devices?

Powerful Flashing Lights

Range of extremely bright  and highly visible flashing strobes lights. Choice of 5 to 15 Joules flash energy.

High Service Life

High quality components insure 70% light emission even after 8 million flashes.

Operates in Harsh Environments

Pfannenberg offer sounders which are suitable for use both indoors and outdoors and are adapted to all industrial requirements.

10 Year Warranty

Pfannenberg’s audible signaling devices include a standard 10-year warranty, guaranteed to protect men, machines and the environment.

Visual Signaling Devices Models

Flashing Strobes

PYRA® Range of Flashing Strobe Lights.

Multi-Functional LED Lights

Quadro & PYRA Range of LED Lights.

PMF LED Lights

PMF Range of LED Lights.

3D-Coverage – Spatial Performance for Visual Notification

The technologies used to generate light (Led, Xenon…) have a considerable effect on the range and perception of visual signals.

The main benefit of 3D-Coverage is that it takes factors such as light intensity into account, focusing on the extent to which signals can be guaranteed to be seen – an essential requirement for safe signaling solutions. By utilizing the 3D-Coverage concept, properly sized signaling devices are specified to ensure safety to personnel under the ambient conditions present – often leading to the most cost-efficient system in terms of number of units and installation expenses.

Beacon technology can influence safety

The colors mainly used in signaling technology are red, amber, yellow, green and blue, and clear/white. The range of application types includes: Alarm, High-priority warning, Low-priority warning, Inform/Indicate/Status.

Visual signals for “Alarm” and “Warning” must be perceived without fail under all circumstances. Such requirements benefit from signaling devices with the largest possible coverage area.


Comparison of a Xenon flashing light with an LED flashing light, both with the same current draw, demonstrates the difference the technology makes. Apart from measured signaling distance it is also important to consider the specific light emitting characteristics.

“Clear” signals were chosen for this example because they are perceived more readily at further distances.



The 3D-Coverage values are evidence that the Xenon technology offers a wider range and is more readily perceived.

The reason for this is that the Xenon flashing light emits a very short but intense pulse with a peak value far exceeding 100,000 cd. The light pulse of an LED flashing light is longer, but only reaches around 400 cd.

Furthermore, because the Xenon gas is energized in a glass tube, the light signal is emitted evenly in all directions. Conversely, the linear nature of LED light relies on reflectors and optical lenses to create an omnidirectional profile.

Practical example: PYRA PY X-M-10 Flashing Light

FLASHING LIGHTPERFORMANCELENS COLORAREA L x W x H ft (m)3D-COVERAGE ft³ (m³)
PFANNENBERG
PY X-M-10 (Xenon) 		118 cdclear75.4 (23) x 59 (18) x 32.8 (10)145,914 (4140)
COMPETITOR'S LED120 cdclear23 (7) x 23 (7) x 10 (3)5,290 (147)

The figures shown are mainly for a quick orientation. For an individual and precise interpretation please use PFANNENBERG SIZING SOFTWARE (PSS)