We are constantly updating the technology used in our beacons to make them more energy efficient. With that in mind, we have nearly completed the process of replacing all our filament lamp beacons with LED beacons. There is a global unavailability of filament bulbs as environmental factors have influenced the electronics market so with this in mind along with the high power consumption and low efficiency, a change was needed.
The table below shows the differences between a traditional filament lamp and an LED lamp:
| LED Lamp | Incandescent (filament) Bulb |
| Low power consumption | High power consumption |
| Long life expectancy | Short life expectancy |
| High energy efficiency | Low energy efficiency |
| Medium-high cost | Low cost |
Take a look below at the three main types of lamp types available:
LED Lamp
In electronic circuits there are many types of diode, these basically allow electric current to flow through the diode in only one direction. An LED is a special type of semiconductor diode which emits light when electric current flows through it, hence the name Light Emitting Diode. The semiconductor material used to make the LED determines the colour of light emitted. In general, LED lamps are relatively easy to source.
Xenon Tube
This is still a widely used lamp, it works by discharging the energy stored in a capacitor in a special flash tube filled with gas at low pressure to produce a very short burst of high intensity white light.
Incandescent (filament) Bulb
These are the traditional light sources which have been used for many years however they are getting more and more difficult to source due to environmental factors. A thin metal filament inside a sealed bulb is heated up by passing electric current through it to the point where it glows. To make the filament last for as long as possible there is usually a mixture of inert gases inside the bulb.
