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Andon Color Codes

Manufacturing Insights

Andon Light Color Codes:

What Each Color Means

Andon Color Meaning

A common question is what do the stack light colors mean. There is some flexibility and this can vary from facility to facility. But in general the colors have a standard use.

The Five Standard Colors

Red: Fault / Stop Urgent

Red signals an immediate problem. It can be a fault, a stoppage, or a safety issue. Production is not moving, and someone needs to act. Keep red reserved for critical conditions only.

Machine fault Line stoppage Safety alert E-stop triggered
Amber: Warning / Caution Attention

Amber is your early warning. The process is still running, but a condition is developing that needs to be addressed.

Low material Maintenance due Quality drift Setup in progress
Green: Running / Normal All Clear

Green tells you everything is working as expected. The station is running, the process is on track, and no action is required.

Running at rate Cycle in progress All systems normal
Blue: Call for Assistance Help Needed

Blue means the operator needs support, not an emergency, but something that requires another person. It could be a material replenishment, a supervisor's question, or a changeover.

Supervisor call Part shortage Quality hold Help requested
White: Custom / Informational Configurable

White has no fixed industry meaning, which makes it useful for signals that are specific to your process. Facilities use it to indicate shift changes, production goals hit, scheduled maintenance windows, or any custom status that the other four colors don't cover.

Target reached Changeover End of shift Custom status
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