The development of strobe lights

Strobe light bars are a relatively new development in the world of emergency lighting. Traditionally, emergency vehicles used a steady burning light, then rotating lights, and now strobe light bars. There are different reasons why this new development has caused such excitement and each of which will be highlighted in this article

A strobe light bar can also be very easily dimmed unlike other previous light bars. Dimming simply requires one to lower the forward current or dim through pulse- width modulation. In this light bar, wasted energy is dispersed as heat through its base. This means that sensitive material or flammable ones are not affected by heat radiated by the light bar, as is the case with older ones. Another advantage associated with a strobe light bar is that failure occurs through dimming of the light bar over time rather than a sudden or abrupt failure. The dimming light can be observed and used as a tell sign of when the light bar needs to be replaced. This also means that the light bar is constantly working. They also last long and are estimated to give about 35,000 to 50, 000 hours of useful light. It may take even longer until complete failure of the strobe light bar. Fluorescent light on the other hand gives about 10, 000 to 15, 000 hours of useful light.

Strobe light

Also strobes are small and this means that the shape and size of strobe light bars can be manipulated. For the first time, light bars that are not big and bulky have been in production. Strobe light bars can now be made to fit on the dash of the emergency vehicle, as well as on the visor. The advantages associated with this capabilities is undercover police can go about their work inconspicuous and can use the police lights only when necessary. Volunteer emergency workers have also benefited from this as the family car can be quickly turned into an emergency vehicle with flashing lights at the snap of a finger. Volunteer emergency workers also do not often like to be recognized, and so portable emergency light bars work best.

LED lights are however replacing strobe lights as there are many shortcomings of strobe lights. They use a lot of power and so require a special car battery to keep them working especially if they are required to be on for long periods of time. These strobes also produce a low intensity light as compared to LED lights. Their light is also more susceptible to offsetting photosensitive epilepsy than the LED light is. Strobe lights are however still a good choice for police cars, and have proved to be precious to police and other emergency workers.