More and more digital signage displays are being utilised outdoors and in other hazardous locations, not just for advertising but also for information and communication. Of course, standard digital signage screens are unable to operate in the open air, as the weather would cause the screens to fail. The same is true of dusty locations, as dust is just as problematic as liquids if it penetrates a TV as it can lead to short circuiting, overheating and other problems.

Different types of locations require different levels of protection. While a distribution warehouse may only need to keep dust out of a display, a screen operating in a food production facility that is regularly washed-down will need to keep water out. While outdoor locations will need to keep both rainfall and other weather elements from the screen as well as any wind-blown dust or particles.

Fortunately, outdoor LCD enclosures used for protecting screens in outdoor and harsh locations, are manufactured to international guidelines, which indicate what type of environment the equipment can operate in.

IP rating

The European IP rating (ingress protection) is a numbered scale that describes protection from both liquids and solids. The first digit of the double-digit number denotes the effectiveness of the enclosure against solids. The higher the number, the more effective, and therefore, smaller the particles the enclosure prevents getting inside.

The second digit denotes its effectiveness against liquids. Again, the higher the number the more effective the enclosure is defending against liquids; with splashes on the lower end of the scale to full-scale power-washing defence on the higher end of the scale.

NEMA

Commonly used in North America, the NEMA scale operates a little differently to the European rating. NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturers Association) operates a single digit number scale going from 1 through to 13, with each number offering a specific type of protection. For example, a NEMA 2 enclosure is suitable for indoor screens just requiring protection from dust, while a NEMA 4 enclosure is suitable or outdoor use to defend against rain.

For most outdoor digital signage systems the minimum ratings to look for are NEMA 3 (NEMA 4 is preferable) and IP 54 (IP 65 is more comprehensive).

IP and NEMA Ratings for Digital Signage is a post from: Armagard

Modern manufacturers face huge challenges, though. With stiff competition from the Far East, reliance on currency values abroad, and the increasing costs of raw materials mean that efficiency is increasingly vital for manufacturers.

Digital signage can help improve both processes and communication, two aspects that can increase efficiency and bolster revenue opportunities.

Information Technology has long been an important aspect to manufacturing with computers and other IT part-and-parcel of modern industrial practices, helping to increase efficiency and reduce waste.

Digital signage can also benefit manufacturers, particularly in communication, often difficult in industrial-type areas. Email and other modern communication methods are often not practical in manufacturing areas, which makes communication a challenge; often resulting to old-fashioned systems such as tannoys (often impractical in noisy environments); notice boards (reliant on people visiting and reading it); or word-of-mouth (also impractical in larger premises).

The advantage of using digital signage as a communication method in manufacturing is pretty clear. Relaying information to workers efficiently, clearly, and in real time, enables manufacturing processes to run smoothly and more efficiently, without the delays other communication methods present, but of course, there are disadvantages.

Many manufacturing areas are not conducive to running a digital signage screen with dust, variable temperatures, liquids and risks of impact, and as with industrial computers, protection is critical.

Perhaps the most flexible solution for protecting digital signage displays are LCD enclosures. These provide comprehensive dust and liquid protection (usually to NEMA and IP ratings), and contain climatic controls to maintain a steady internal temperature. They are also tough and rugged (usually manufactured from steel) essential in the rough and tumble world of manufacturing.

An LCD enclosure will also let you choose your own screen, replace it at will, and can keep media players encased too, ensuring all the hardware is protected from damaging elements.

Digital screen in a manufacturing environment

Related Information:

Article on Factory Digital Signage

A US-based creative content and management service are running a webinar on the benefits of digital signage in manufacturing.

Digital Signage in Manufacturing – Protection is a post from: Armagard

Commonly used throughout Europe (the National Electrical Manufacturers Association-NEMA- promote standards in the USA) as defined in international standard IEC 60529 (International Electrical Commission). The IP rating is a two digit code indicating the type of conditions the enclosure can operate in.

The two digits of the IP rating specify both protection from solids (the first number) and protection from liquids (the second digit). The first digit ranges from 0 (zero), which offers no protection from solid objects to 6, indicating total dust tight protection, with the numbers in between, indicating smaller and smaller particulate protection.

The second digit of the IP code, which indicates the protection afforded against liquids, also starts at zero, where no protection against liquids are offered all the way to number 8, where the enclosure is completely water tight and can even be immersed without suffering leakage.

A full breakdown of the IP ratings can be seen in the charts below.

Often people think for outdoor digital signage use, an LCD enclosure would need to have the maximum amount of protection possible; however, due to the need of LCD screens to have a direct airflow, to prevent overheating and provide cooling, this total sealing against water and dust is impossible.

Indeed, this sort of protection is also unwarranted. When using an outdoor enclosure, perhaps for digital signage, the protection required is only from rainfall and other weather elements.

As rainfall falls down and is at a low pressure then the type of protection required for an outdoor enclosure is around the IP54-IP65 range. An enclosure within these limits will be able to operate in outdoor locations no matter what the weather and will ensure the screen is not only protected from rain and other weather but also airborne particles, dust and pollution.

IP Rating First Digit -- DUST

IP Rating First Digit -- LIQUIDS

IP Ratings and What they Mean for Outdoor Enclosures is a post from: Armagard

Screens are ideal for businesses too, allowing workers and staff to keep abreast of important information which can be disseminated centrally, and even industrial processes can be monitored by the use of LCD screens.

Some locations, however, can be difficult environments to use a modern LCD or plasma screens. Once such location is wash down environments such as food factories where all equipment has to be cleaned regularly.

Not only does any screen that has to operate in this environment, therefore, need to be waterproof, it must not permit corrosion or contain too many nooks and crannies that allow bacteria to fester.

LCD enclosures are an obvious solution for wash down locations as they are waterproof and allow the screen to be hosed down –and even jet washed. These waterproof LCD enclosures are often manufactured to industrial standards such as European IP65 and USA NEMA 4.

Most equipment used in these types of location are made from stainless steel and display enclosures can be produced in this material too. However, stainless steel is an expensive material and can often lead to excessive costs to the LCD enclosure. Fortunately, some powder coating is extremely proficient at preventing corrosion and preventing the bare metal from being exposed and it is common for LCD enclosures in washdown locations to be coated in this material.

Using Plasma and LCD Screens in Wash Down Environments is a post from: Armagard

One common term often referred to when it comes to implementing outdoor digital signage is IP65 – but what is it, and what does it mean?

What is IP65?

IP65 is a European guideline for the manufacture of enclosures used to house electrical equipment. The protective LCD enclosures used to house digital signage therefore falls under this bracket so understanding IP65 is vital if you are to employ LCD screens in an outdoor location.

IP65 is a code. The IP stands for Ingress protection and the rating system is devised to give guidance as to what types of material can and can’t penetrate the enclosure and therefore cause possible damage to the device.

The two numbers denote solid and liquids. The first number indicates the level of solid object protection, whilst the second indicates the type of waterproof protection is offered. The numbers are ascending so the higher the number the better protection.

IP65 offers dust protection as well as being waterproof enough to stop powerful water jets, therefore it should operate without problems under rainfall and other weather elements.

What IP ratings don’t cover?

Whilst ensuring rain, snow, sleet and windblown dust doesn’t get inside the enclosure is vital for outdoor digital signage; there are aspects to using screens outdoor that are not covered by the IP rating.

Temperature is one such constituent and ensuring the screen can cope with whatever the ambient temperature is also important for digital signage applications. In cold climates, heaters are often employed inside LCD enclosures to ensure any condensation, or the components themselves, do not freeze.

While in warmer climates, cooling components have to be employed to ensure the screen doesn’t overheat and can function under direct sunlight.

Another aspect of digital signage that is not covered by IP ratings is physical protection against impact and vandalism. This is also important to counter in outdoor digital signage applications which are why most LCD enclosures are manufactured from solid steel.

IP65 – European Rating for Outdoor Digital Signage Enclosures is a post from: Armagard

Advertising

Advertising and promotion are one area where outdoor screens can really boost a business. Outdoor digital signage has many advantages over other advertising methods – including indoor digital advertising.

A screen placed outside a retail store or shopping complex will attract an audience unparalleled by other advertising methods for the cost. Other than TV or radio advertising (which is highly expensive) outdoor digital signage will generate audience figures far higher than other similar costed advertising methods.

Outdoor advertising is of course, not new, but while other methods of outdoor advertising such as posters and billboards are around, none are as engaging and eye-catching as outdoor digital signage which not only draws the eye with moving images and transitions but looks modern and contemporary in comparison.

Another advantage in using outdoor screens for advertising is that content can be scheduled to play at certain times a day. Restaurants, for example, and other businesses where trade increases and decreases at different times; this can be really advantageous. Lunchtime promotions can be relayed before lunch while supper time specials can then be shown in the afternoon and evening.

Information

Providing information to customers, staff and visitors is another reason why many businesses turn to outdoor TVs. Providing information such as production schedules may increase efficiency and reduce waste, and with outdoor screens this type of information can be relayed in even the most rugged of environment such as a factory or industrial complex; while even not-for-profit organisations like schools, hospitals and other institutes are constantly needing to provide information.

Outdoor screens are far more flexible than other methods of providing information. Rather than run around to different locations all information can be uploaded centrally so information can be provided in real-time – ideal for emergencies.

How an Outdoor Screen will Benefit your Business is a post from: Armagard

However, there are other hazards for outdoor digital signage and screens placed in unsupervised conditions.

Vandalism is unfortunately all too common in this day and age. From graffiti to smashed bus stops, there are many objects that are commonly targeted by vandals. And unfortunately digital signage is very attractive to vandals.

From smashed screens, battered enclosures to stolen units; any disablement of a screen will not only cost money in repairs but will make that elusive ROI (return on investment) even harder to achieve.

However, there are many anti-vandal and rugged options available for outdoor digital signage, and digital advertising in unsupervised or unmanned areas.

Steel LCD Enclosures

One of the simplest solutions to protect a digital screen is to house it in a protective steel LCD enclosure. These mild steel outdoor digital signage units are also ideal for indoor systems in unmanned locations as they can protect from impacts and attempts at tampering.

Often fitted with security locks, LCD enclosures can prevent damage from even the most determined of attackers. But there is more to protecting digital signage screens that just the enclosure.

Screen Protection

Perhaps the most vulnerable area of any LCD device is the screen. Protecting the screen from impacts is vital, not just for the protection of the digital signage but broken glass can cause a hazard that the DS owner could be liable for, so ensuring a good shatterproof layer is placed in front or the original TV screen will not only protect the digital signage but prevent any deliberate damage from causing other repercussions.

Countering Vandalism – With Outdoor Digital Signage is a post from: Armagard

Digital signage and information screens are now found almost everywhere. Shopping malls, high streets, concourses, airports and railway stations all implement screens for either advertising or information reasons.

And it is not just indoors either, TV screens are now common place with outdoor digital signage being a fast growing industry, however, placing a screen outside is fraught with challenges:

Weather

Rain, snow, wind and hail are all elements that can disable a TV screen. Unfortunately they are also common elements in the outside world.

Temperature

Extreme temperatures are also damaging to a screen or display device. Excessive heat and sunlight will cause a screen to overheat whilst sub zero temperatures can cause condensation to freeze – damaging the device.

Impacts

Outdoor screens are vulnerable to impacts too, whether accidental of deliberate attacks, a screen has to be protected from them.

The LCD Enclosure

Thankfully outdoor protection for a TV screen is relatively straightforward thanks to the LCD enclosure. These waterproof and weatherproof enclosures for standard TV devices are ideal for outdoor digital signage. Not only does an LCD enclosure protect from rainfall and other weather elements they keep a constant temperature inside the enclosure ensuring extreme temperatures do not cripple the device.

LCD enclosures are also commonly manufactured from steel providing a barrier against accidental and deliberate impacts and they are also often equipped with other anti-vandal measures such as toughened glass.

LCD Enclosures – Extreme Protection for Outdoor Screens is a post from: Armagard

In fact, in many cities there doesn’t seem to be a spare wall, concourse, corridor or store frontage that doesn’t have a screen displaying active and eye-catching content.
However, with so many TV screens being deployed in this environment, digital signage is in danger of becoming the norm, as static and traditional print media has become. If a shopping mall becomes too littered with LCD screens, then the audience becomes desensitised to them and they lose their uniqueness and ability to engage.

However, there is one method of ensuring your digital advertising campaign stays one step ahead of the game – place the screens outside.

Outdoor digital signage is becoming more and more popular as implementers realise the benefits of the outdoor environment. Not only are LCD displays less common outdoors, the potential audience is far greater.

Outdoor digital signage, however, is not as straight forward as indoor systems to install. Not only do outdoor LCD displays need to be protected from the weather and varying temperatures but as they are often left unsupervised in unmanned areas they need to be protected from vandalism and theft too.

An outdoor LCD enclosure is an obvious solution for all these challenges for protecting outdoor digital signage. Not only can IP65 waterproof LCD enclosures protect from the weather elements but also many contain cooling and heating elements to ensure optimum internal temperatures.

LCD enclosure are also commonly manufactured from mild steel and fitted with theft proof and anti-vandal measures such as shatterproof glass, tamper proof locks or other security measures.

Digital Advertising and Taking the Next Step – Outdoor Digital Signage is a post from: Armagard

Danger/distraction

The main argument against roadside digital signage is that they can pose a danger to drivers who may find the imagery distracting. More than a dozen US cities have banned digital billboards along roadsides but those that work in the outdoor digital signage industry are complaining that legislation is knee-jerk and that there is no added danger to a digital signage billboard compare to a print one.

Installers suggest that while digital billboards use imagery that changes very four to ten seconds, they don’t use moving images and so pose no more of a risk than a print image.

Aesthetics

Another argument cited against roadside digital signage has been the appearance of them. Some argue that these modern signs are destroying the natural beauty along many American highways but is this really the case?

It is had to argue that digital signage is any less attractive than print media. At least digital signage looks modern and the images don’t fade, in contrast, roadside print media can fade, rip, and can become covered in graffiti. And roadside hoardings are as much a part of driving across American highways as stopping at the Mom and Pop diners that are dotted along the country’s main roads

Usefulness of Highway Digital Signage

There is also an argument to suggest that roadside digital signage could be actually useful and even could provide a service. We are all used to electronic signs on freeways and highways warning us of impending congestion or accidents but there is no reason why roadside billboards could not be implemented this way when needed.

If an accident is a ahead, a local advertising hoarding could be used to provide important information which could be displayed intermittingly with the advertising content.

The Roadside Battle – Digital Signage along Highways is a post from: Armagard