What is the difference between flashing / blinking beacon signals and a flash discharge tube?

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The light intensity of a beacon with Flash discharge tube is different from a beacon with flashing / blinking signals. Practically, this means the urgency of the signal is different.

Flash Discharge tube: Dazzling light intensity to indicate imminent danger
Flashing / blinking signals: Softer light intensity (non-dazzle) to indicate that intervention is required

Choice of the most appropriate technology

The choice between these technologies should be made according to the principle of "the more dazzling, the more urgent it is".

If you intend to indicate imminent danger requiring immediate intervention on a machine, the Flash Discharge tube is the most appropriate. If, however, you need to signal to a machine operator that action is required for a machine / process, a flashing signal would be more suitable.

For information, a beacon with steady (non-blinking) signal indicates that the machine is operating.

Light intensity

The 5 Joule Flash element provides a light intensity of 13 Candela (Dazzle) and the 10 Joule beacon doubles this light intensity.
The blinking element produces a softer light, from 5.5 to 15 Lux depending on the bulb colour and type (LED or incandescent).

Standards

Standard 60204-1 clause 10.3.2 concerning safety of machinery defines the colours and operating modes of the indicator lights.
Standard 60204-1 clause 10.3.3 concerning safety of machinery defines the purposes of flashing lights and displays.

Definition of units

The candela is an SI (International System) unit of light intensity, i.e. of the brightness of a light source perceived by the human eye.
The lux is a unit of measurement of illumination (symbol: lx). It characterises the luminous flux received per surface unit.