At the heart of the TEF 4500 is the separation between the control panel and the main control enclosure. The operator panel — with its clearly labelled push-buttons for perimeter lights, floodlights and windsock — can be installed directly on the bridge or in the radio equipment room, wherever is most practical for the vessel or platform crew. The main enclosure, housing all contactors, circuit breakers and power electronics, can be located remotely, connected via a simple RS-485 cable using industry-proven two-way communication.
This split architecture reduces the complexity of bridge installations, keeps the control interface clean and accessible, and gives shipbuilders and installers maximum flexibility in routing and positioning.
Up to Seven Control Panels — Multi-Location Monitoring
Unlike basic single-panel helideck control systems, the TEF 4500 supports connection of up to seven control panels simultaneously on the same RS-485 network. Each panel provides full control and monitoring capability, enabling helideck lighting to be managed from multiple locations across the vessel or platform — bridge, control room, local helideck station — simultaneously and in full synchronisation. Three spare buttons on each panel allow additional circuits to be added as requirements grow.
Dual Power with Automatic Failover
The TEF 4500 features a dual power supply with automatic switchover between main and emergency power sources, fully compliant with DNV Pt. 6 Ch. 1 Sec. 2 F503. In the event of a main supply failure, the system automatically falls over to the emergency power source without operator intervention — ensuring helideck lighting remains operational at all times, a critical requirement during helicopter operations in low visibility or night conditions.
Bridge Alarm Integration — Naut-OSV Compliant
The TEF 4500 integrates directly with the vessel’s Bridge Alarm Management System (BAMS). Alarm signalling follows the Naut-OSV standard: when a fault is detected — such as a tripped circuit breaker — the audible buzzer activates and the alarm LED flashes on the control panel. At the same time, a volt-free Bridge Alarm Relay contact activates, feeding the alarm signal directly into the bridge alarm handling system. Alarms can be acknowledged either at the control panel or remotely via a 24VDC signal to the Bridge Alarm Acknowledge input, with a dedicated Bridge Alarm Reset relay ensuring the bridge alarm system is cleared correctly. This fully bidirectional alarm architecture ensures the crew always has an accurate picture of helideck lighting status.
Optional External Control System Gateway
For installations requiring integration with an external supervisory or vessel management system, an optional gateway module provides two-way communication via NMEA-0183 compliant or proprietary protocols. This enables the helideck lighting status to be monitored and controlled from a SCADA, integrated bridge system (IBS) or other supervisory platform.
- Offshore oil and gas platforms (fixed and floating)
- FPSOs and semi-submersibles
- Platform supply vessels (PSVs) and offshore supply vessels (OSVs)
- Drilling rigs and drill ships
- Onshore heliports and helipads
