Light towers: making plant status visible at a glance 

The new DV2900 range of LED light towers from ifm electronic offers an effective and versatile way of making plant and machine status visible at a glance. Each of the new towers has 20 illuminated segments that can either be independently controlled or grouped, allowing a wide range of signalling functions to be achieved. The range also includes versions with an integrated audible siren that can be used to draw attention to alarm conditions.

In addition to individual segment control, two further operating modes are supported by ifm’s new light towers. In signal mode, the illuminated segments are arranged in five groups. This mode might typically be used to show the progress of an operation or process. In level meter mode, the light tower is configured as a bargraph display, and could be used, for example, to provide an indication of the level of fluid in a tank or the temperature of a kiln. In level meter mode, the display colour can be used to show that a threshold or alarm level has been reached.

Four versions of the new light towers are currently available, all of which feature an IO-Link interface for set up and control. The DV2900 has an integral mounting base, while the DV2910 has an integral mounting base and also an integral buzzer. The corresponding versions without mounting bases are the DV2920 and DV2930 respectively. Wall brackets and other mounting aids are available as optional extras.