LED-based AVIATION OBSTRUCTION LIGHT

Binay's LED (Light Emitting Diode) Aviation Light is a "fit-and-forget" solution that utilises the latest InP LED technology to eliminate the cost, hazard, and aggravation of frequent replacement - normally an inherent feature of the conventional filament bulb or neon spiral units used in this application

High-rise buildings and structures such as chimneys and smokestacks are potential hazards to aircraft. As such, man-datory provisions are in force for providing Aviation Obstruc-tion Lights (AOLs) for hazard indication on structures above 6 metres in height.

The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) specifies a minimum light intensity of 10 candela (cd) in red for Low In-tensity AOLs, which are to be provided on structures of 6 metres to 45 metres in height. For structures ranging in height from 45 metres to 275 metres, it is mandatory to pro-vide Medium Intensity AOLs having a minimum light intensity of 1600 cd. Above 275 metres, a white light AOL of much higher intensity is obligatory. (ICAO Standards Annexure 14, Paragraph 6.3.13.)

The usual source of light is a 100 watt filament bulb, having an average life of 1000 hours, and a mean spherical candle power (MSCP, which measures light energy output) of 100 candela. As these filament bulbs emit white light, and since the red waveband forms only about one-seventh of the total colour spectrum, the final light output in such lights is actually only about 15 MSCP. Furthermore, due to the limited life, the bulb has to be changed every three months. At extreme heights (such as in industrial chimneys) this is a hazardous and complicated procedure, involving considerable expense in either the use of outside contractors or additional insur-ance and special allowances if employees are utilised for the job.

While neon discharge tubes have been used in these lights in an effort to improve illumination and increase life, these suffer from the disadvantage that the costly high voltage transformers used in these lights require replacement due to frequent failure. Moreover, the quality of neon spirals available in India is extremely poor and they have a high failure rate (which does not conform to even the specified life of 5000 hours). Finally, the higher wattage (VA) and low power factor of the transformer also leads to increased operating costs.

Both the filament and neon types described above conform to the ICAO specification for Low Intensity obstruction lights.

As with our other products, the BINAY omnidirectional LED-based Aviation Obstruction Light has been evolved in keep-ing with our organisational philosophy of perfecting an LED Furthermore, the LED AOL eliminates the possibility of prosecution from the Civil Aviation Board for non-compliance due to a failed warning light.

InP LED Technology: These LED AOLs are constructed of special industrial grade LEDs utilising the latest InP LED technology (which is specified for outdoor LED applications). InP technology

LEDs replacement for every incandescent light source. This is an original development - a world-wide first from the inven-tors of the Integral LED Module - and utilises patented BI-NAY technology. Multiple ultra-high luminosity LEDs are used in the unit, which offers the following advantages:

  • A long life of 1,00,000 hours (11 years calculated on a continuous burning basis, thus requiring no further re-placement once fitted; we guarantee for five years)
  • Low power consumption of 10 to 15 watts only (25 watts for Medium Intensity AOLs), giving significant reduction in energy costs. Binay LED AOLs have been tested for wattage consumption at Electronics Regional Test Laboratory (Dept. of Electronics, Govt. of India) is avail-able.
  • Intensity greater than existing filament or neon type AOLs
  • Solid-state reliability; built-in fail-safe feature
  • Shock-proof, vibration-resistant construction
  • Ability to withstand voltage fluctuations of ± 25%
  • Improvement in power factor
  • A short payback period

Furthermore, the LED AOL eliminates the possibility of prosecution from the Civil Aviation Board for non-compliance due to a failed warning light.

InP LED Technology: These LED AOLs are constructed of special industrial grade LEDs utilising the latest InP LED technology (which is specified for outdoor LED applications). InP technology LEDs can not only withstand high humidity and high temperature conditions but are also protected from Ultraviolet-A and Ultraviolet-B solar radiation, which can cause the epoxy encapsulation of the LED to deteriorate.

Rugged Heavy Duty Construction: The body of the AOL is similar to the GEC type light, and is constructed in special LM-6 alloy cast-metal. It is sealed against dust and water in-gress (conforming to IP 65). The glass dome is made of toughened clear borosilicate hard glass, which can easily withstand dusty and abrasive environmental conditions (plastics such as polycarbonate are not used, since they are liable to degrade over time due to abrasion in a dusty and windy environment.)

Fail-Safe Design: The LEDs in the unit are mounted on a flexible curved printed circuit board to provide omnidirectional light output. They are configured in five series-parallel circuits, and as such each unit is backed up by four standby units. Thus, fail-safe redundancy is built in; even if one circuit fails, the other four circuits will still provide a visible indication.

Reliability of operation: All AOLs undergo a burn-in "ageing" period of 100 hours or seven days at 25% over voltage (i.e., 300 volts for a 220V AC light). The ability to withstand these stringent test conditions is ensured by the proper design of circuitry, as well as by the correct selection of InP technology LEDs used.

These LED AOLs are available in both single and double-lamp units. The latter type is particularly applicable for haz-ardous and difficult-to-access situations, where changing is difficult.

Binay LED Aviation Lights are available in the following standard models:

BINAY LOW* INTENSITY LED AVIATION OBSTRUCTION LIGHT
(*As per the ICAO definition, with a requirement of 10 cd in red)
For structures ranging in height from 6 metres to 45 metres.
  • Binay Model 'A': Multiple-LED unit fitted in a GEC neon spiral type AOL body, with rim and toughened clear borosili-cate hard glass cover. LM-6 alloy cast metal construction. InP technology LED design. Total 360° (integrated) lumi-nous intensity: 90 cd minimum.
    Higher intensities are also available in this Model (300 cd, 600 cd, 1000 cd, and 1200 cd).

  • Binay Model 'B': As above, but smaller cast-metal body with rim and prism type clear (ordinary) glass cover (similar to GEC 100W filament AOL). InP technology LED design. Total 360° (integrated) luminous intensity: 90 cd minimum.
Power consumption of these Low Intensity AOLs is 15 watts maximum (as tested at ERTL, Dept. of Electronics, Govt. of India).

BINAY MEDIUM* INTENSITY LED AVIATION OBSTRUCTION LIGHT
(*As per the ICAO definition, with a requirement of 1600 cd in flashing red)
For structures ranging in height from 45 metres to 275 metres
  • Binay Model 'A': Multiple-LED unit fitted in a GEC neon spiral type AOL body, with rim and toughened clear borosili-cate hard glass cover. InP technology LED design. Total 360° (integrated) luminous intensity: 1600 cd minimum.
Ultra high luminosity LEDs (sometimes exceeding 20 cd per LED) are used in this Model. As the viewing angle of each LED is only 6°, the unit has to be viewed at a distance, when the light emission of the LEDs coalesces into a homogenous light mass.

Electrical power consumption is about 25 watts maximum, which is considerably less than the 50V 250W filament bulbs which are normally used for this application. As such, considerable economies in energy expenditure can be realised with our LED AOL, apart from the savings due to the facts that (a) these LED replacements require no further replacement when fitted, and (b) the cost of physically effecting such replacements is eliminated.

These LED lights can be supplied in either 24V or 48V/50V (AC or DC) for battery operation, or in 110V or 230VAC ratings for mains operation. Fail-safe redundancy is built-in through the incorporation of five or more series-parallel LED circuits in each unit. A solid-state Flasher unit can also be provided if desired, at extra cost. Remote analogue indication of functioning of all the parallel circuits can be provided at an extra charge.

All Model 'A' units are guaranteed for five years against manufacturing defects (normal life is 22 years on a 12-hour per day burning basis).

THE BINAY LED AVIATION OBSTRUCTION LIGHT DESIGN IS PATENTED, AND AS SUCH IS A PROPRIETARY PRODUCT

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS BINAY LED Aviation Obstruction Lights

PHYSICAL DATA

BINAY Model 'A' LED Aviation Obstruction Light (replacement for GEC neon spiral type AOL), having an operating life in excess of 1,00,000 hours (11 years on a continuous burning basis), with a power consumption of only 15 watts (wattage consumption tested at ERTL, Department of Electronics, Government of India).
Enclosure: Model 'A' design (as per diagram)
Protection: Weatherproof IP 65, conforming to IS 2147
Construction: Cast metal LM-6 alloy
Dome: Toughened clear (transparent) borosilicate hard glass
Gasket: Endless neoprene
Finish: Aviation yellow epoxy paint
Weight: 4.5 kg. (approx.)
Cable entry: ET 19mm
Terminals: Fitted in a weatherproof box on the body of the unit

LIGHT SERVICE DATA

LEDs: Multiple InP technology LEDs
Colour: Red
Total integrated candela: 90 cd minimum
No. of circuits: Five (in parallel)

ELECTRICAL DATA

Maximum forward current: 150mA
Power factor: 0.05
Typical power consumption: 15W Maximum at 230V AC
Input voltage variability: Can withstand a fluctuation of ±25%
PIV protection: LEDs internally protected against reverse voltages of up to 1 kV
Insulation resistance: 100 megohms at 500V
Dielectric strength: 2.5 kV
Earthing: Terminal provided on body
NOTE: Each unit is tested at 25% over voltage for 100 hours or seven days to ensure reliability

The Binay Model 'B' has similar specifications, except that it is smaller in size (the dimensions conform to the GEC 100W filament bulb AOL). The glass dome is of normal soft glass.

THE BINAY LED AVIATION OBSTRUCTION LIGHT DESIGN IS PATENTED, AND AS SUCH IS A PROPRIETARY PRODUCT.