What are Xenon Flash Tubes?

Ordinarily, xenon lamps are known for being much brighter than incandescent lamps, and they function very differently from other types of lamps. Flash tubes are similar to arc lamps that generate a full-spectrum of white light in an extremely short duration, yet require a high voltage power supply.

Hundreds of industries are using xenon flash tubes in various applications, including photography, signal timing, and other heavy industrial signalling applications. Some industries used xenon flash tubes on production control and even as a fire alarm.

How Xenon Flash Tubes Work?

Xenon flash tubes are made up of xenon gas within thin glass tubes. Once the power supply is turned on, the broken atoms will form an electric current that gives off a flash of light. The heat level reaches over 3000-degrees Celsius resulting in more visible light.

They operate through the ionization of xenon gas that produces high current toward the electrodes. Then, there is a light output in various spectral lines – this is also known as a Xenon Flash.

Advantages of Flash Tubes for Xenon Beacons

The use of LED lighting technology is increasing dramatically, meaning that the use of xenon flash tubes is becoming less. That being said, there are still many people who prefer the use of flash tubes as warning signals. There are several advantages in using xenon flash tubes over LED signals:

Inexpensive

Xenon flash tubes are less costly than LEDs. However, they consume higher power consumption in the long-run compared to LED signals.

Availability

Flash tubes are highly accessible in the market today and can be found almost anywhere.

Visibility

Due to technology development, LEDs generate brighter light but flash tubes are brighter than LEDs. The produced light of flash tubes is nearly similar to natural sunlight which LEDs could not render.

Energy-Efficient

Both LEDs and xenon flash tubes are extremely energy-efficient, using a low power consumption.

Xenon Flash Tubes Series

Flash Tubes are available in different shapes and sizes, and our xenon strobe ranges include the following tubes:

FTX-1

FTX-1 is a xenon flash U-tube used in some of our smaller beacons. It requires 6-watts of power and produces a 2.5-joule or 5-joule output.

FTX-2

This is a 16W xenon flash U-tube which demands higher energy than FTX-1. As well as being available as a spare flash tube, this is used in a wide variety of our xenon beacon range, with a light output of 11-joule.

FTX-3

The FTX-3 is the brightest flash tube in the range, and is used in our 24 joule products.

FTX-4

FTX-4 is different from the other xenon flash tube series in terms of appearance. This is a linear flash tube that requires less power energy about 2-watts.

Final Words

To sum it all up, xenon flash tubes remain in the market despite the growing application of LED warning signals. Each of the lighting options offers various strengths and weaknesses that benefit many industries today. Most businesses prefer to install both LED warning signals and xenon strobe beacons to ensure a safer workplace.

• flash tube
• strobe
• xenon