Lighting and electronics expert HELLA says it became the first supplier to present a beacon that combines innovative design and state-of-the-art LED technology.

The design beacon, presented at the Bauma fair, in Munich, earlier this month, allows manufacturers in the construction and mining industry to give their vehicles a unique appearance, according to HELLA.

“The black, futuristic-looking beacon fits perfectly into the existing vehicle silhouette thanks to its design and compact dimensions of around 60 mm in height. For comparison: HELLA’s lowest beacon ever, the K-LED 2.0, has a height of 90 mm. Halogen beacons sometimes even have a height of up to 194 mm,” the company said.

HELLA has not only minimised the size of the beacon but also changed the lighting concept with this design.

“This once again proves our technological leadership,” Stefan Maierhofer, Product Manager at HELLA, said. The beacon doesn’t need a dome anymore. Instead, the light is visible through a circumferential, ring-shaped light band.

Despite the minimal light emission area and the compact size, the beacon achieves the best light values and an ideal warning effect that meet the legal requirements of the European ECE-R 65 directive for beacons, according to the company.

An additional advantage is the LED double flash function of the warning light, which emits a direct and remotely visible 360° signal. With this, other traffic participants get alerted at an early stage and occupational safety significantly increases, the company said.

The beacon is maintenance-free and, due to its low total current consumption and high-quality, long-life LEDs, is suitable for continuous use. In addition, the vehicle battery is conserved.

The beacon complies with IP (International Protection) classes 67 and 9K. This means it is resistant to dust and water and the electronics are protected up to a water depth of 1 m when submerged for a short time.

In addition, the warning light is resistant to stronger strains such as shocks and blows or temperature fluctuations, road salt and moisture, according to HELLA. This is ensured by the polycarbonate light band, the powder-coated aluminium housing and the absence of moving parts.

“This means that the beacon can also be used in adverse conditions. In addition, it meets the prescribed values for electromagnetic compatibility and therefore does not interfere with any other radio signals,” HELLA said.

HELLA was the first supplier to launch a beacon on the market as early as 1955, with the first LED beacon following in 2006. In addition to halogen lamps, the company currently has 14 LED beacons in its product range.