AEBN: 120307
Date: 12/3/07
Subject: Beacon Inrush Current
In addition to the nominal current rating for a beacon, often times there is an inrush
current and, for flashing beacons, a repetitive surge current. These currents can play a
factor in the design of a system.
Inrush current is the current drawn by the beacon when it is first turned on. Inrush
current can be very high, but usually only lasts for a short duration, typically less than a
few milliseconds.
Repetitive surge current is drawn by the beacon each time it flashes after it's powered up
(so a steady beacon would not have a repetitive surge, but may have an inrush current).
Repetitive surge currents can also be quite high and last up to a few milliseconds, but
usually not as high as the initial inrush.
Although a beacon may have a relatively small nominal current rating, sizing your power
source just based on that can cause problems. A 3 amp power source, for example, may
appear capable of handling six beacons with a 500mA nominal current rating, but if those
beacons have a substantial inrush or surge current, and the power source is not "stiff"
enough or capable of handling the higher currents for short durations, the beacons may
not work properly, if at all. This can also affect wire run distances. A beacon near the
source may work, but one at the far end may not.
Generally, one or two beacons on a circuit with an inrush or repetitive surge current
substantially higher than the power source's rating is usually Ok. A 120VAC strobe with
a 30A inrush, for example, will probably still work on a circuit rated for 15 amps. This is
because the duration of the inrush is very short.
However, if you have a situation requiring multiple beacons turning on at the same time
and your power source cannot handle the inrush or surge currents, there are a couple
things you can try:
1. If it's an AC powered beacon, try reversing the hot and neutral connections to half
the units. This way some will fire off the positive side of the wave, the others the
negative.
2. Don't power all the beacons from the same circuit (this might require a multi-pole
switch, one pole per circuit, to turn them all on).
3. Use time delay relay(s) set for different times so that the beacons do not all turn
on at exactly the same time. Even a fraction of a second difference could be
enough to separate the firing times and alleviate the problem.
On the following pages is a list of most of the beacons we offer and their respective
current ratings. We have not, to date, tested all of our beacons for inrush and repetitive
surge currents, so some values may be blank. Do not assume there is no inrush or surge
if it's blank. You can call Tech Support if you want to verify a value or if a beacon is not
on the list. Also refer to the beacon's installation instructions for additional information.
Current Ratings for Edwards Beacons
Edwards Model # Current Rating Voltage Rating Peak Inrush Current Repetitive Surge Current
48FIN*-N5-25WH 0.20A 120 VAC 1.3A SD 8mS (1Hz)
48FIN*-G5-20WH 0.80A 24 VAC 2.2A SD 8mS (1Hz)
48FIN*-E1 1A 12 VDC 3.5A ED 100mS (1Hz)
48FIN*-G1-20WH 0.80A 24 VDC 2.2A ED 100mS (1Hz)
48FLED*-G1 0.065A 24 VDC 0.070A
48FLED*-N5 0.025A 120 VAC 0.090A SD 8mS (60Hz)
48SIN*-N5-25WH 0.20A 120 VAC 0.8 SD 8mS (60Hz)
48SIN*-G5-20WH 0.80A 24 VAC 1.25A SD 8mS (60Hz)
48SIN*-E1 1A 12 VDC 1.1A
48SIN*-G1-20WH 0.80A 24 VDC 0.90A
48SLED*-G1 0.065A 24 VDC 0.070A
48SLED*-N5 0.025A 120 VAC 0.090A SD 8mS (60Hz)
49*-N5-40WH 0.30A 120 VAC 0.47 SD 8mS (60Hz)
49*-R5 0.1A 240 VAC
50*-N5-40WH 0.30A 120 VAC 2.0A SD 8mS (1Hz)
50*-R5 0.1A 240 VAC
50*-G5-20WH 0.80A 24 VAC 2.2A SD 8mS (1Hz)
50SIN*-N5-40WH 0.29A 120 VAC 0.47 SD 8mS (60Hz)
51*-N5-40W 0.29A 120 VAC 0.9A SD 8mS (1Hz)
51*-E1 1A 12 VDC 3.5A ED 100mS (1Hz)
51*-G1 1.1A 24 VDC 3A ED 100mS (1Hz)
51SIN*-G5-20W 1.1A 24 VAC
51SIN*-G1 0.80A 24 VDC 0.90A
51SIN*-N5-40W 0.29A 120 VAC
52*-N5-40WH 0.35A 120 VAC 0.47 SD 8mS (60Hz)
52*-G5-20WH 0.80A 24 VAC 1.25A SD 8mS (60Hz)
52*-R5 0.1A 240 VAC
53*-E1 1.8A 12 VDC 2.0A
53*-G1 1A 24 VDC 1.1A
53D*-GW 1A 24-28V
57EDF*-G1 2.2A 24 VDC 40A @ 100uS 4.5A @ 100uS
57EDF*-N5 0.2A 120 VAC 20A ED 300uS (1Hz)
57EDF*-R5 0.1A 240 VAC
58*-N5-100WH 1A
89STR*-AQ 0.158A 24 VAC
89STR*-AQ 0.219A 24 VDC
89STR*-N5 0.09A 120 VAC
89SMSTR*-AQ 0.158A 24 VAC
89SMSTR*-AQ 0.219A 24 VDC
89SMSTR*-N5 0.09A 120 VAC
90*-N5 0.1A 120 VAC 50A ED 1mS (1Hz)
91B-* 0.5A 12 VDC
92*-N5 0.1A 120 VAC 50A ED 1mS (1Hz)
92*-R5 0.05A 240 VAC
92PLC*-N5 0.1A 120 VAC 20A ED 75uS (1Hz)
92PLC-DF*-N5 0.1A 120 VAC 20A ED 75uS (1Hz)
93*-N5 0.1A 120 VAC
93*-R5 0.05A 240 VAC
93DF*-N5 0.1A 120 VAC 40A @ 70uS 12A @ 500uS
93DF*-R5 0.05A 240 VAC
120 VAC
94*-N5 0.1A 120 VAC
94*-R5 0.05A 240 VAC
94DF*-N5 0.1A 120 VAC 40A @ 70uS 12A @ 500uS
94DF*-R5 0.05A 240 VAC
94DDV2*-G1 1.2A
94DV2*-N5 0.1A 120 VAC
95*-N5 0.1A 120 VAC 50A ED 1mS (1Hz)
96B*-N5 0.1A 120 VAC 30A @ 25uS 2.1A @ 1mS
96B*-R5 0.02A 240 VAC 2A @ 1mS
98B*-E1 0.5A 12 VDC 0.6A
98B*-G1 0.3A 24 VAC 0.33A
98B*-FY 0.3A 36 VDC 0.33A
96DV2*-N5 0.1A 120 VAC 30A @ 25uS 2.1A @ 1mS
97*-EK 1.2A 12-48 VDC
97*-MP 0.2A 75-125 VDC 75A @ 100uS .7A @ 35mS
97DF*-EK 1.2A 12-48 VDC
97DF*-MP 0.2A 75-125 VDC
99B*-E1 0.5A 12 VDC 0.6A
100SB*-N5 0.8A 120 VAC
101BS-E1 0.05A 12 VDC
101BS-G1 0.05A 24 VDC 2A @ 1ms
101BS-N5 0.05A 120 VAC 2A @ 1ms
101FIN*-E1 1A 12 VDC 3.5A ED 100mS (1Hz)
101FINH*-G1 0.32A 24 VDC 1.2A ED 100mS (1Hz)
101FINH*-N5 0.11A 120 VAC 1.15A SD 8mS (1Hz)
101FLED*-G1 0.065A 24 VDC .07A @ 1mS
101FLED*-N5 0.025A 120 VAC .09A SD 8mS (60Hz)
101SIN*-E1 1A 12 VDC 1.1A
101SINH*-G1 0.32A 24 VDC .36A @ 1mS
101SINH*-N5 0.11A 120 VAC .5A SD 8mS (60Hz)
101SLED*-G1 0.065A 24 VDC .07A @ 1mS
101SLED*-N5 0.025A 120 VAC .09A SD 8mS (60Hz)
101ST*-E1 0.5A 12 VDC 0.6A
101ST*-G1 0.3A 24 VDC .33A @ 1mS
101ST*-N5 0.12A 120 VAC 30A @ 25uS 2.1A ED 1mS
102LS-SINH-G1 0.32A 24 VDC 0.36A
102LS-SINH-N5 0.11A 120 VAC 0.5A SD 8mS (60Hz)
102LS-SIN-G1 0.32A 24 VDC 0.36A
102LS-SIN-N5 0.08A 120 VAC 0.15A SD 8mS (60Hz)
102LS-FINH-G1 0.32A 24 VDC 1.2A ED 100mS (1Hz)
102LS-FINH-N5 0.11A 120 VAC 1.15A SD 8mS (1Hz)
102LS-FIN-G1 0.32A 24 VDC 1.4A ED 100mS (1Hz)
102LS-FIN-N5 0.08A 120 VAC 0.3A SD 8mS (1Hz)
102LS-ST-G1 0.3A 24 VDC 0.33A
102LS-ST-N5 0.12A 120 VAC 50A ED 1mS (1Hz)
102LS-SLED*-G1 0.062A 24 VDC 0.070A
102LS-SLED*-N5 0.022A 120 VAC 0.090A SD 8mS (60Hz)
102LS-FLED*-G1 0.062A 24 VDC 0.070A
102LS-FLED*-N5 0.022A 120 VAC 0.090A SD 8mS (60Hz)
102TBS-DN-G1 1.75AA 24 VDC
102TBS-DN-N5 0.6AA 120 VAC
102SIGST-G1 0.05A 24 VDC 0.24A SQ 0.2mS (1.2KHz)
102SIGST-N5 0.07A 120 VAC 30A @ 4uS 0.35A ED 0.5mS (60Hz)
102SIGMT-G1 0.05A 24 VDC 0.24A SQ 0.2mS (1.2KHz)
102SIGMT-N5 0.07A 120 VAC 30A @ 4uS 0.35A ED 0.5mS (60Hz)
102SIGMT-DN-G1 0.05A 24 VDC
102SIGMT-DN-N5 0.05A 120 VAC
103I-RGA-G1 0.055A 24 VDC 0.070A
103-RGA-G1 0.065A 24 VDC 0.070A
103I-RGA-N5 0.045A 120 VAC 0.100A SD 8mS (60Hz)
103-RGA-N5 0.055A 120 VAC 0.100A SD 8mS (60Hz)
103I-RBA-G1 0.055A 24 VDC 0.070A
103-RBA-G1 0.065A 24 VDC 0.070A
103I-RBA-N5 0.045A 120 VAC 0.100A SD 8mS (60Hz)
103-RBA-N5 0.055A 120 VAC 0.100A SD 8mS (60Hz)
104FINH*-G1 0.77A 24 VDC 1.2A ED 100mS (1Hz)
104FINH*-G5 0.77A 24 VAC 1.2A SD 8mS (1Hz)
104FINH*-N5 0.25A 120 VAC 1.15A SD 8mS (1Hz)
104FLED*-G1 0.065A 24 VDC 0.070A
104FLED*-N5 0.025A 120 VAC 0.090A SD 8mS (60Hz)
104SINH*-G1 0.77A 24 VDC 0.36A
104SINH*-G5 0.77A 24 VAC 0.5A SD 8mS (60Hz)
104SINH*-N5 0.25A 120 VAC 0.5A SD 8mS (60Hz)
104SLED*-G1 0.065A 24 VDC 0.070A
104SLED*-N5 0.025A 120 VAC 0.090A SD 8mS (60Hz)
104ST*-N5 0.12A 120 VAC 2.1A @ 1mS
105SLED*-G1 0.062A 24 VDC 0.070A
105SLED*-N5 0.022A 120 VAC 0.090A SD 8mS (60Hz)
105FLEDA-G1 0.062A 24 VDC 0.070A
105FLEDA-N5 0.022A 120 VAC 0.090A SD 8mS (60Hz)
105SINH*-G1 0.80A 24 VDC 0.90A
105SINH*-G5 0.80A 24 VAC 1.25A SD 8mS (60Hz)
105SINH*-N5 0.20A 120 VAC 0.8 SD 8mS (60Hz)
105FINH*-G1 0.80A 24 VDC 2.2A ED 100mS (1Hz)
105FINH*-G5 0.80A 24 VAC 2.2A SD 8mS (1Hz)
105FINH*-N5 0.20A 120 VAC 1.3A SD 8mS (1Hz)
105ST*-G1 0.3A 24 VDC 4.4A @ 300uS 0.20A
105ST*-N5 0.1A 120 VAC 30A @ 25uS 2.1A @ 1mS
105ST*-R5 0.02A
240 VAC 2A @ 1mS
105DHIST*-FJ 1.08A 20-30 VDC 3.14A @ 1.27mS 2.24A @ 450mS
105HIST*-N5 0.1A 120 VAC 50A ED 1mS 50A ED 1mS (1Hz)
105HIST*-R5 0.05A 240 VAC 50A ED 1mS 50A ED 1mS (1Hz)
105HIST*-EK 1.2A 12-48 VDC 65A @ 50uS 4.2A @ 500mS
107DDV2(+)ST*-G1 1.4A 24 VDC
107DV2(+)RINH*-N5 0.35A 120 VAC
107DV2(+)RINH*-R5 0.1A 240 VAC
107DV2(+)ST*-N5 0.1A 120 VAC
107DV2(+)ST*-R5 0.05A 240 VAC
107DV2(+)ST*-EK 1.2A 12-48 VDC 65A @ 50uS 4.2A @ 500mS
107DV2(+)ST*-S1 0.1A 250 VDC
108I-RGA-N5 0.115A 120 VAC 30A @ 2uS 0.45A @ 2mS (120Hz)
108I-RGA-G1 0.105A 24 VDC 5A @ 1mS 0.275A @ 2mS (500-1KHz)
108I-RBA-N5 0.115A 120 VAC 30A @ 2uS 0.45A @ 2mS (120Hz)
108I-RGA-G1 0.105A 24 VDC 5A @ 1mS 0.275A @ 2mS (500-1KHz)
108IP-RGA-N5 0.045A 120 VAC 13A @ 2uS 0.10A @ 4mS (60Hz)
108IP-RGA-G1 0.055A 24 VDC 5A @ 1mS 55mA
108IP-RBA-N5 0.045A 120 VAC 13A @ 2uS 0.10A @ 4mS (60Hz)
108IP-RBA-G1 0.055A 24 VDC 5A @ 1mS 55mA
108ID-RGA-N5 0.045A 120 VAC 13A @ 2uS 0.10A @ 4mS (60Hz)
108ID-RGA-G1 0.055A 24 VDC 5A @ 1mS 55mA
108ID-RBA-N5 0.045A 120 VAC 13A @ 2uS 0.10A @ 4mS (60Hz)
108ID-RBA-G1 0.055A 24 VDC 5A @ 1mS 55mA
108-DN-RGA-N5 0.12A 120 VAC
108-DN-RBA-N5 0.12A 120 VAC
108-DN-RGA-G1 0.105A 24 VDC
108-DN-RBA-G1 0.105A 24 VDC
109*-G1 0.475 A 24V AC/DC
109*-N5 0.140 A 120 VAC
110FIN*-N5 0.96 A 120 VAC
110ST*-N5 0.03 A 120 VAC
0.08 A (100 Watt)
111SIN*-B
111SIN*
111SFL*-B 0.36 120 VAC
111SFL* 0.36 120 VAC
111SIN*-CM-B
111SIN*-CM
111SFL*-CM-B 0.36 120 VAC
111SFL*-CM 0.36 120 VAC
1.25A (150 Watt)
0.08 A (100 Watt)
1.25A (150 Watt)
0.08 A (100 Watt)
1.25A (150 Watt)
0.08 A (100 Watt)
1.25A (150 Watt)
120 VAC
120 VAC
120 VAC
120 VAC
0.08 A (100 Watt)
111SIN*-WM-B
111SIN*-WM
111SFL*-WM-B 0.36 120 VAC
111SFL*-WM 0.36 120 VAC
112DV2BFL*-N5 120 VAC
112DV2CFL*-N5 120 VAC
112DV2PFL*-N5 120 VAC
113SP-RGA-AQ 0.24 A 24 VAC/VDC 2.5A @ 5mS
113SP-RGA-N5 0.062 A 120 VAC 0.5A @ 5mS
113FP-RGA-AQ 0.24 A 24 VAC/VDC 2.5A @ 5mS
113FP-RGA-N5 0.062 A 120 VAC 0.5A @ 5mS
113SS-RGA-AQ 0.24 A 24 VAC/VDC 2.5A @ 5mS
113SS-RGA-N5 0.062 A 120 VAC 0.5A @ 5mS
113FS-RGA-AQ 0.24 A 24 VAC/VDC 2.5A @ 5mS
113FS-RGA-N5 0.062 A 120 VAC 0.5A @ 5mS
114SST*-EK 0.35 A 12-48 VDC 22A @ 200uS .450A @ 20uS.
114PST*-EK 0.35 A 12-48 VDC 22A @ 200uS .450A @ 20uS.
114SSIN*-G1 0.61A 24 VDC 0.68A
114PSIN*-G1 0.61A 24 VDC 0.68A
114SSIN*-N5 0.15A 120 VAC 0.3A SD 8mS (60Hz)
114PSIN*-N5 0.15A
114SFIN*-G1 0.61A 24 VDC 2.5A ED 60mS (1Hz)
114SFIN*-N5 0.15A 120 VAC 0.5A SD 8mS (1Hz)
114PFIN*-G1 0.61A 24 VDC 2.5A ED 60mS (1Hz)
114PFIN*-N5 0.15A 120 VAC 0.5A SD 8mS (1Hz)
116EXMST*-N5 0.10 A 120 VAC 50A ED @ 1mS 50A ED @ 1mS
116EXST*-EK 1.2A - 0.38A 12-48 VDC 65A @ 50uS 4.2A @ 500mS
1.25A (150 Watt)
0.08 A (100 Watt)
1.25A (150 Watt)
120 VAC 0.96A SD 8mS (60HZ)
120 VAC 3@ ED 30mS
120 VAC 0.3A SD 8mS (60Hz)
116DEGEX-FJ .520A - .505A** 16-33VDC Negligible Negligible ** UL RMS worst case values
116DEXSTC-FJ 1.104 A - 0.802** 16-33 VDC 1.45A @ 323mS 0.85A @ 130uS ** UL RMS worst case values
116DEXMST*-FJ 0.95A - 0.55A 16-33 VDC 1.45A @ 323mS 0.85A @ 130uS
116EXMRINH*-N5 0.35A 120 VAC 0.47A SD 8mS
116DEXMRINH*-GW 0.8 A 24-28 VDC 3A @ ED 30mS
116EXMSINH*-N5 0.35A 120 VAC
116DEXMSINH*-GW 0.8 A 24-28 VDC 3A @ ED 30mS
117*-EM 0.35A 10-110 VDC
117*-N5 0.02 A 120 VAC
117*-R5 0.015 A 240 VAC
867STR*-N5 0.111 A 120 VAC
867STR*-AQ
0.462
0.412
24 VAC/DC
868STR*-N5 0.111 A 120 VAC
868STR*-AQ
0.462
0.412
24 VAC/DC
869STR*-N5 0.111 A 120 VAC
869STR*-AQ
0.462
0.412
24 VAC/DC
869DSTR-G1 0.145 A 24 VDC
3000SD*-EK 0.13 A 12-48 VDC 30A @ <.3mS 0.63A @ <650mS
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