Warning lights
Introduction
A warning indicator, also called indicator, warning light or colloquially snitch,[1] is a signal (usually light or acoustic) that indicates the malfunction of a system. The warning is usually displayed by a flashing (on/off) light, a solid light, or an illuminated symbol or text legend.
History
In English, these warning lights receive the curious name "idiot lights"[2] (idiot lights). The term has its origins in the 1930s, following popular frustration caused by the replacement of classic clocks in automobiles (such as water temperature or oil pressure) with a simple warning light. Previously, crucial aspects of a car's operation could be monitored using measuring instruments, allowing certain problems to be detected and corrected early. Monitoring engine temperature, oil pressure or alternator operation is not possible through a simple warning light, which comes on only when a fault has already occurred, so it does not provide advance warning or details of the extent of the detected problem.
The Hudson automobile company was the first to use lights instead of gauges for oil pressure and voltmeter, starting in the mid-1930s.[3][4].
They are common elements in automobiles, from where they have become very familiar elements for the majority of the population in developed countries, although in reality their use has long been extended to the majority of electrical and/or mechanical systems in which it is convenient to monitor their operation: from household appliances such as a refrigerator (in which an acoustic signal can warn that the door has been left closed incorrectly), to the control panel of a nuclear power plant, to all types of transport vehicles.
automotive engineering
In motor vehicles, indicator lights are used to inform the driver about the technical condition of the vehicle or its systems. Warning lights are usually located on the instrument panel or dashboard.
They are used both to indicate the switching status of equipment (for example, whether the turn signals or high beams are activated), and to inform the driver of a vehicle malfunction.
When the ignition is switched on, the warning lamps illuminate for a few seconds. This allows the driver to verify that they are activated. Each driver should find information in their vehicle's operation manual about the specific warning lights for their model. The measures to be taken if any of these indicators light up are also indicated. The color used for the witness is also linked to the severity of the incident shown. For example, green and blue are often used to indicate that certain systems are activated, while yellow and red indicate alerts, faults, and errors. The colors and symbols used by each manufacturer may differ in details.