Medium Intensity Strobe Systems

The primary goal of obstruction lighting isn't to provide the tiniest bit of light at the lowest amount of energy usage. The goal is to ensure proper visibility of structures for safety purposes.

You must light towers and similar structures per FAA Advisory Circular 70/7460-1K and similar standards. For certain applications, medium intensity obstruction lighting is the best option.

From the FAA, 2-2-3. Obstruction Lights, subsection a.2: "Medium intensity flashing white obstruction lights may be used during daytime and twilight with automatically selected reduced intensity for nighttime operation. When this system is used on structures 500 feet (153m) AGL or less in height, other methods of marking and lighting the structure may be omitted. Aviation orange and white paint is always required for daytime marking on structures exceeding 500 feet (153m) AGL. This system is not normally installed on structures less than 200 feet (61m) AGL."

• The 24 VDC White Strobe FAA Type L-865 Obstruction Lighting System features a Xenon Flashtube and a 320mm lens.
• The DUAL RED/WHITE FAA Approved Strobe Type L-864/L-865 can be flashed or steadily burned, creates no EMI/ RFI emissions, and uses 90% less energy.
• The FAA Approved White Strobe Type L-865 features a Xenon Flashtube and a 320mm lens.
• The DUAL RED/WHITE FAA Approved LED Strobe Type L-864/L-865 system is a medium intensity system with the lowest power consumption of any dual system in the market.

The correct system choice and actual specifications will depend upon your specific application and the final lighting design. To discuss those, pleasecontact us (or by phone 847-584-1000)

"A" Series Obstruction Lights:

Red (L-864) obstruction lights are used to increase conspicuity during nighttime. Daytime and twilight marking is required. Recommendations on lighting structures can vary depending on terrain features, weather patterns, geographic location, and in the case of wind turbines, number of structures and overall layout of design. Typical obstruction heights vary between 20 to 2200 feet.

"D" Series Obstruction Lights:

Medium intensity flashing white (L-865) obstruction lights may provide conspicuity both day and night. Recommendations on lighting structures can vary depending on terrain features, weather patterns, geographic location, and in the case of wind turbines, number of structures and overall layout of design. Typical obstruction heights vary between 200 to 500 feet.

"E" Series Obstruction Lights:

Medium intensity flashing white (L-865) obstruction lights may provide conspicuity both day and night. Recommendations on lighting structures can vary depending on terrain features, weather patterns, geographic location, and in the case of wind turbines, number of structures and overall layout of design.

"B" Series Obstruction Lights:

Lighting with high intensity (L-856) flashing white obstruction lights provides the highest degree of conspicuity both day and night. Recommendations on lighting structures can vary depending on terrain features, weather patterns, geographic location, and in the case of wind turbines, number of structures and overall layout of design.

"C" Series Obstruction Lights:

When a structure lighted by a high intensity flashing light system is topped with an antenna or similar appurtenance exceeding 40 feet (12m) in height, a medium intensity flashing white light (L-865) should be placed within 40 feet (12m) from the tip of the appurtenance. This light should operate 24 hours a day and flash simultaneously with the rest of the lighting system.

"F" Series Obstruction Lights:

This dual lighting system includes red lights (L-864) for nighttime and high intensity flashing white lights (L-856) for daytime and twilight use. This lighting system may be used in lieu of operating a flashing white lighting system at night. There may be some populated areas where the use of high intensity lights at night may cause significant environmental concerns and complaints.

Many people are hooked on LED, because it's far more energy-efficient than incandescent. In other words, it throws off much less of the energy as heat. Is that the kind of lighting you want on the exterior of an obstruction that is prone to freezing over with thick ice or even snow? Absolutely not. On the other hand, if you have an obstruction that's facing west and you're in Florida then the application is entirely different.

Or consider the choice between medium intensity and high intensity strobe lights. Which one you go with depends on what you're trying to accomplish.

Not sure what you need to do? No problem. We have experts who can help. Feel free to contact us (or by phone 847-584-1000) for more information.

Applicable standards for design and installation include NFPA 70 (the National Electrical Code) and standards produced by the IES (Illuminating Engineering Society of North America).