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

And media players are a confusing buy with so many different models on the market, all boasting the latest and best technologies and all sold with complicated terms, jargon, and unique benefits that can leave most people bewildered.

There is a vast difference in prices too with devices ranging from a few hundred dollars to several thousand, but often many of these devices are far too complicated for the majority of signage needs.

Essentially, a media player is nothing more than a small PC that enables content to be uploaded, distributed and played on the TV screens—either over a network or directly.

Indeed, many installers opt to use simple thin client PCs, which has several advantages, including the ability to use conventional software, not forcing you into expensive subscriptions from specialist digital signage software vendors.

For simple systems where just one or two screens are being operated the small factor PC can be kept inside the same LCD enclosure as the screen, benefitting from the weather and physical protection.

And there is no need to spend a fortune on a thin client PC or media player as an array of simple and easy to use devices are available at extremely low prices, here are a couple of examples.

Hewlett Packard T5325 Thin Client

HP Compaq Thin Client

The HP t5323 Essential Series Thin Client is a simple and affordable, power-efficient HP thin client Featuring ICA and RDP connectivity with basic multimedia and USB redirection. Misco price, £197.99 inc VAT.

The ViewStream 100

A digital video and audio player designed for the playback of MPEGs and still pictures on TV and video.  The videos are stored and played back directly from solid state Compact Flash memory card. On Google Shopping for £150.45.

View Stream 100 Digital Signage Player

Media Players and Thin Client PCs – Simple and Cost Effective Digital Signage Solutions 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

However, with the growth of outdoor digital signage and the increase in outdoor TV viewing (partly brought about by nationwide smoking bans) more and more outdoor LCD TVs are emerging onto the market.

But they are still expensive devices with many costing in excess of $10,000 – but is there an alternative?

Requirements for Outdoor TV Viewing

Obviously any TV used in an outdoor location needs to be protected from the elements. Rain is an obvious problem with outdoor TV systems but there are also other hazards in using an LCD or other flat screen device outside:

• Dust
• Heat
• Cold
• Accidental/deliberate impacts

Outdoor TVs can counter some of the elements such as water and dust (often they are built to IP65 to guard against ingress), however, they can’t cope with everything.

The LCD Enclosure

LCD enclosures are a cost effective method of using LCD screens in outdoor locations either for TV viewing of for outdoor digital signage. They are steel housings that are weatherproof protected and contain cooling and heating systems to ensure the optimum operating temperature.

As LCD enclosures are manufactured from steel they provide unequalled protection for the display. Often the screen is protected by a shatterproof covering making the entire LCD enclosure impenetrable – deterring against vandals and thieves.

Benefits

Not only is an LCD enclosure so much less expensive than an outdoor TV, even when you take into account a commercial screen to house inside it, but they provide an holistic approach to outdoor LCD protection; defending against:

• Impacts
• Temperature
• Weather elements
• Dust

Tampering

Looking for an Outdoor TV? Reasons to Consider an LCD Enclosure is a post from: Armagard

The truth is, traditional print signage is not very effective at all anymore, we are too desensitised to signs proclaiming sales and special offers that we consciously, and sub-consciously tend to ignore them.
Outdoor digital signage is far more effective at delivering messages. Moving images, brightly coloured content and even sound are far more engaging and captivating to an audience than a static image.

Outdoor digital signage is still a novelty and even though it is expanding and increasing in prevalence it is unique enough to grab people’s attention. It is also far more flexible a medium to work with.
Any change of sale items or promotion can be changed centrally which means if there are multiple stores all promotions can be altered at once.

Another great advantage of outdoor digital signage is that content can be altered for different times of day to meet the requirements of say the commuter run, compared to the midday shopper.

There are some disadvantages to suing outdoor digital signage though. Keeping the screens dry and at the optimum operating temperature can be a challenge but outdoor LCD enclosures now make the erection of a TV (LCD, LED or plasma) in an outdoor location a lot more straightforward.

Outdoor LCD enclosures not only weatherproof standard off-the-shelf display devices but also ensure the optimum operating temperature inside the enclosure so the screen will continue to operate in extreme heat and cold.

Many are also solidly built from steel offering protection against impacts and vandalism, vital for any outdoor digital signage left in unmanned or public areas.

One tip when looking for an outdoor TV enclosure is to ensure it has been built to either the USA or European standards such as NEMA 4 or IP65.

Outdoor Digital Signage to Boost Trade in Retail is a post from: Armagard

Arctic conditions have dominated the news headlines in the northern hemisphere this year with some countries, including the UK, suffering their coldest winter in three decades.

There is a serious risk that many digital signage campaigns erected in outdoor locations or in areas without adequate heating could fail because of the unusually low temperatures.

Problems can occur in outdoor digital signage systems if condensation builds up and then freezes – this expansion of the frozen water can permanently disable any LCD or plasma device used as in the display device.

Whether the outdoor digital signage will continually operate in severe cold conditions, and will also be safeguarded from any possible damage due to the sub-zero temperatures, depends on the quality of the LCD enclosure that houses the digital signage.

Not all LCD enclosures are manufactured with the same quality in mind and whilst most are designed with the outdoor standards IP65 (European) and NEMA 4 (USA) these do not take into consideration ice, snow or low temperatures.

Good quality, all-weather LCD enclosures should have installed both heating and air flow systems. These should work in tandem with the air flow system ensuring that no condensation builds up in the device whilst the heater should ensure the optimum operating temperature all the time.

With a good quality LCD enclosure there is no reason why an outdoor digital signage system shouldn’t be able to operate in temperatures as low as -20°c degrees.

And if the weather warms and we face a barbecue summer, the same climatic controls that allow the display enclosed in the LCD enclosure to withstand arctic temperatures should allow the device to operate in hot temperatures too.

A good quality LCD enclosure should allow peace of mind and the safe operation of an outdoor digital display device – no matter the weather.

Do not Let the Cold Weather Disable Your Digital Signage is a post from: Armagard

Digital signage is more than just out of home advertising. There are an almost unlimited number of applications for using flat screen TVs such as LCD and plasmas. And even in industrial applications LCD TV’s can provide a useful and adaptable method of displaying information.

LCD TV’s are used in industry for all manner of applications such as displaying process results and data, key information for employees, advertising, infotainment and even general signage such as fire exits.

Using LCD or plasma screens in an industrial locale is not as straight forward as just erecting a television set. There has to be consideration put into where the screen is placed and what type of hazards and elements are present that may damage the TV or screen.

LCD TV’s are not, in general, manufactured for use outside the home and they are not designed to withstand some of the elements of an industrial environment. Dust, dirt, swarf, liquids and heavy impacts are just some of the potential hazards that could damage a conventional TV device. And then there is the consideration of temperature. Many industrial areas do not have air conditioning or central heating and so temperatures can often exceed the recommended operation environment for a standard TV device.

Fortunately a simple and cost effective method of using standard off-the-shelf LCD and plasma TV’s in industrial environments is available in the guise of an LCD enclosure.

These inexpensive ‘TV cabinets’ are mostly manufactured from mild or stainless steel and are sealed to recommended European and International Guidelines (IP65/NEMA 4) for industrial enclosures. These LCD enclosures not only protect from all the hazardous elements present in some industrial areas but the also act as entire environments for the LCD screens containing both heating and cooling systems to ensure the optimum working temperature.

Can I use Digital Signage in Industrial Areas? is a post from: Armagard

However, there is more to protecting computer equipment in hostile areas than just placing them in a metal box. Keeping computers, printers and display devices protected means creating the perfect environment not just protecting them from water splashes and dust.

Computer enclosures have long been built to European and US guidelines. The IP65 and IP54 (NEMA 4) standards describe the types of protection any enclosure offers against airborne particles and water. However, the IP and NEMA ratings are self-certified guidelines and are not any guarantee or certainty the enclosure is suitable for the environment it is required to work in.

Computers, printers and LCD or plasma displays are designed to operate in the home or office environment and are not suited for any of the hostile elements found in industrial or outdoor locations.

However, there are other harsh environmental factors to consider than just airborne particles and water splashes. For instance temperature extremes are something that is not included in the IP and NEMA rating systems. However, there are many industrial locations not to mention outdoor areas where temperatures can be either extremely hot or cold (or both in the case of outdoors where summer heat and winter freeze have to be countered).

To cope with extreme temperatures additional heating and cooling facilities have to be installed in the computer, printer or LCD enclosure ensuring the device is operating in the perfect environment.

Industrial computer cabinets, printer protection and LCD enclosures are not just metal boxes but should represent the perfect environment that sensitive electronic devices need to operate in.

Creating the Perfect Environment for Computers is a post from: Armagard