Red lights are often used in warning signs to indicate a hazard ahead. This is why you will see them on construction equipment, school buses, and other vehicles.
But why do wind turbines have red lights?
Well, the answer is quite simple, wind turbines can be quite large, and at night they can be extremely difficult to see.
That’s why most wind turbines are equipped with red flashing lights to warn approaching airplanes at night that there is a large object in their path.
This article will discuss the purpose of red lights as well as some of the dangers associated with wind turbines.
Problems associated with lights on Wind Turbines
As we discussed earlier, red flashing lights are used on wind turbines to warn approaching airplanes at night.
However, these lights can also create their own set of problems.
For example, the lights can interfere with the sleep patterns of birds and other animals.
Additionally, the lights can also be a nuisance to people living near the turbines.
Engineers got around this problem by using beacons that only turn on when an airplane is within a certain distance of the turbine.
While this solution may help to reduce the nuisance factor, it gave birth to a more serious problem.
Now, since the turbine lights consist of many more delicate parts such as radars, sensors, etc, there is a greater chance that something can go wrong.
And since we are dealing with wind turbines and aircraft, the consequences of a malfunction can be disastrous.
