Optical and acoustic signaling
Optical and acoustic signaling is widely used in various types of
systems and installations, performing a paging, warning, alarm and other
functions, depending on the purpose of the system in which the signaling
devices are used.
Optical and acoustic signaling devices in systems and installations
Signaling devices , both optical and acoustic, are for
communication. They are the simplest and fastest form of communicating
uncomplicated messages, known and used for hundreds of years.
Originally, information was transmitted using, for example, the fire
system in the ancient art of war or various types of gongs and bells,
and later using a telegraph, telephone or radio waves, up to the
solutions known to us today.
Signaling devices available on the market can be divided according to
the way of transmitting information and reflecting the main features
identifying the devices into:
- beacons,
- sounders,
- visual and acoustic signals.
Sometimes there are also separate signaling columns , which are
elements with more than one number of optical levels, often also
equipped with an acoustic signal (although this is not a rule). An
example of such a column is a traffic light signal.
Manufacturers of signaling devices usually offer many configurations of
signaling columns with different numbers of optical modules, with or
without an acoustic element, with different types of emitted light and
with different power supply versions.
Optical signaling
Optical indicators communicate thanks to the emission of light in
the form of a continuous or pulsed stream of different frequencies.
Currently, the most commonly used light source is light-emitting diodes
(LEDs) due to their energy efficiency and small size. The LEDs are
placed in a transparent casing made of plexiglass, glass or similar
material of a specific color, and the entire devices are mounted in
systems (e.g. alarm) and installations (e.g. for supervision of
technological processes).
Acoustic signaling devices are classified as devices depending on their
construction:
- panel,
- intended for mounting on flat surfaces, pipes or wall brackets,
- modular,
- designed for obstruction lighting,
- intended for traffic control,
- designed to work in special conditions.
Acoustic signaling
Sounders perform the same function as their optical counterparts,
but emit not light, but sound of different intensity and frequency. Most
often they are assigned a warning or alarm role, but also an informative
one - an example of this is medical equipment, for example a cardiac
monitor emitting a pulse signal of the same intensity in the absence of
an anomaly.
In the market of finished products, acoustic devices are manufactured as
sirens, buzzers, buzzers or multi-tone alarms , emitting constant or
variable sounds, and in the case of the latter group - of several
different tones or sound sequences. Due to the construction, in the
category of acoustic devices we can distinguish:
- panel beacons ,
- apparatus for mounting on a flat surface, on a pipe and on a wall
bracket, ringtones,
- special signaling devices (eg designed for operation in harsh
conditions).
Optical-acoustic signaling
Optical-acoustic signaling devices are devices that combine the
features of both groups presented earlier in one housing. They are used
wherever it is necessary to signal both by means of light emission and
sound. The simultaneous effect on the sense of sight and hearing is
particularly important in the case of warning signals and effectively
improves their perception. Optical-acoustic signaling devices are
usually offered in the form of devices:
- panel,
- modular,
- designed for mounting on flat surfaces, on a pipe or on a wall
bracket.
They are available in various configurations of light and sound signals.