Anautomatic lamp changer (orlampchanger) is a device used to ensure that a navigational light such as a marinelighthouse oraero beacon stays lit even if a bulb burns out. Numerous types exist. The common design elements are an array of two or more lamps (or bulbs), installed on a mounting which can rotate to various positions. Each position brings a different lamp into thefocal point of an optical assembly. Since signal and navigational lights use sophisticatedoptics to focus the beam, lampchangers are designed to position the new bulb at the focal point with high precision. The device automatically detects when the currently active lamp has ceased to function and moves the next lamp into place.
The automatic lampchanger was invented by Charles Wallace and patented in 1928.[1] This original model held two headlight lamps from aModel T automobile. TheUnited States Lighthouse Service had these in common use by the 1930s, as they moved to convert all navigational lights to electricity.
Lamp changers in current use may have two, four, or six lamps and use either a spring-loaded mechanism or an electric motor to change lamps when required. They are used inaerodrome beacons and marine navigational aids.[2][3][4][5][6][7]
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