What's the IP Rating in LED Giant Screens?

Today I've been asked twice about the IP Rating In Relation To digital billboards. So I guessed that was a sign from above and decided to answer this question publicly.

IP is the acronym of Ingress Protection and it identifies the "Protection" against humidity and suspended particles. The IP level is Described By Two Figures: the first one is referred to the protection level Against Dust, the second Against Water.

The Ingress Protection level is an international standard and it is utilized to Measure The Waterproofness of any electronic products. Devices with a higher IP level keep the internal components safer and cleaner.

This Ingress Protection level is particularly important when the electronic billboard Is Meant For Outdoor Use - while it became almost insignificant for indoor applications.

So you are probably wondering what is the Exact Definition Of IP65? Here we go:

• 6 (Dust) Dust-tight. No ingress of dust.
• 5 (Water) Protected against water jets. Water projected from a nozzle against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effect.

Now, one of the people that asked me about the IP rate today, also asked a Very Smart Question: How can the screen be dust-tight if you have a forced ventilation system? Wouldn't the dust enter together with the air?

In the LED Giant Screens Industry, the IP rate is usually referred to the Front Side (not the rear side) of the screen, which is most exposed to the atmosferic agents.

Please note that this information Is Not Clearly Stated By All LED Giant Screens Manufacturers: some of them "forget" to specify on their brochures or websites that the IP65 is referred only to the front, not to the rear (see for example how we did it in our proMARKET page).

Indeed the protection level on the rear side is Usually Lower (Euro Display's LED billboards are IP64 on the rear side).

LED Screens with IP63 Or Lower should not be used in outdoor environment, so when evaluating different manufacturers, please make sure you double-check with them what is the Rear Side IP.

Remember, You Could Test Their Honesty And Professionalism by asking: "How can the module be dust-tight if you have a forced ventilation system? Wouldn't the dust enter together with the air?" - and then see how they answer you.

If you want To Learn More about the IP Ratings and Consult The Entire Tables, please visit the following links:

• Ingress Protection Rating - from Wikipedia
• IP Ratings - from Engineering Tool Box