LED Signage has gone from the wave of the future to today’s essential marketing tool. The ability to grab the attention of a passerby and relay a clear and concise message to them is invaluable. From simple LED signs and scrolling messages to large billboard LED displays with pictures, animated graphics, live feeds and videos, this communication medium has exploded.

Why should I use LEDs for signage?

Whether your business is small or a large conglomerate, static and programmable LED signs can be implemented in your facility to produce a larger volume of business and more efficient production by relaying messages to clients, employees and the general public. There are many reasons to implement LED signs over other options such as:

• Relay of Real-time Data
• LEDs have a longer life
• Lower maintenance costs
• Lower power consumption
• Safer and more environmentally friendly
• Greater spectrums of more vibrant colors are available

Networking Your LED Sign

To take full advantage of LED signage, they must be networked to a computer for programming. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways dependent on layout distance, data needs, cost, accessibility and more. Below are the major LED sign networking options for assistance in determining individual networking needs.

RS232

RS232 communication is accomplished through a 2-wire system. It is restricted to a maximum distance of 50ft (15m) and only one LED sign can be connected. This method of communication is simple and easy to install for smaller businesses or temporary wiring.

RS485

The RS485 LED sign communication is also implemented with a 2-wire method. It is preferred over the RS232 when several LED signs need to be daisy-chained together or when a longer distance is required. The RS485 network maximum distance is 5000 (1500m) but it considerably more expensive to wire and a converter must be purchased for the PC end, as most computers do not have a RS485 port.

Ethernet

Ethernet communication is implemented by using CAT5 wiring and a TCP/IP protocol to relay data from the user’s PC Ethernet card to the LED sign over either a Local Area Network (LAN) or Wide Area Network (WAN). The distance restriction for the CAT5 wiring is 350ft (115m). Ethernet is most commonly used when pictures and videos are being sent to the sign. The data will transfer over an Ethernet connection much faster than the RS232 or RS485 options. This communication method also permits the LED sign to be accessed from various computers on a company network.

Ethernet Wireless

Ethernet Wireless is more commonly referred to as WiFi and is simply Ethernet protocol over and RF network. The type of RF equipment used will depend on the sign manufacturer. The set-up in this system is more complicated but there is often a cost savings over direct cabling. Like hard-wired Ethernet, there is quick transfer of data, including picture and video as well as the ability to program the sign from multiple locations. The distance restriction is less than 100ft (65m).

Fiber Optics

Fiber Optic communication for an LED sign is accomplished by utilizing a light signal instead of electrical impulses for data transfer. This method is most often used when RF noise is too prominent for an Ethernet system. Fiber Optic communication requires a converter for both the computer and the LED sign; however, the signal is robust and reliable up to 2000ft (600m).

DSL or Phone Modem

This communication type for LED signs is limited as it relies on the local phone company to either wire phone or high-speed lines to both your computer and LED sign and is not available in all areas. Speed of data transfer is also reliant on the integrity of the phone lines and typically, a monthly usage fee is involved. This type of system is most often used when the client requires remote access from any computer with an Internet connection or is relying on the sign manufacturer for programming and/or troubleshooting.

RF

Radio Frequency (RF) communication is used in limited applications for LED network communication. It requires a transmitter and receiver with a clear ‘line of sight’ between the transmitter and receiver antennas. The speed of transfer and distance is determined by the Wattage rating of the equipment purchased. RF interference and slow speed plague this communication type. It is most often utilized when speed is not a concern and other network communication types are deemed too expensive.

No matter which type of network communication is chosen for your sign application, VCC has the engineering capabilities and design know-how to complete your project. Our dedicated Sales Team will assist you in selecting the products best suited for your design. Contact VCC today for more information.

LED’s are a staple of signage and signal applications and with the wider use of high power LEDs the range of applications is constantly expanding to practically limitless proportions. High power LEDs can be driven at currents from hundreds of mA to more than an ampere, compared with the tens of mA for other LEDs. Until recent years their use has been limited by the need for large heat sinks and thermal management issues.  The latest developments have introduced the ability to control and maintain brightness levels without “hot spots” and “not spots” for further efficiency improvements. More strategic configurations of heat sinks, new heat sink materials and metal core printed circuit boards have improved control thermal of management problems. These advances have allowed new areas of development.

High power LEDs from VCC are now in use for in an almost limitless number of applications among which are:

• Accent lighting applications such as: contour lighting, stairway lighting, pendants, coves, displays and front panels.
• Outdoor lighting applications such as: floodlights and landscape lighting.
• Specialty lighting applications such as: Flashlights, reading lamps, security lighting and more.

Architects, Engineers and Security Specialists are including LED usage in the basis of their core designs effectively replacing incandescent, halogen, and even fluorescent style lights. The largest selling points in these applications are the ability to meet new environmental standards from LEED and other groups for close to 40% improved power efficiency and the ability to reduce the overall carbon footprint of the building. High Power LEDs also enjoy a longer operating life that practically eliminates the need for maintenance.

High power, high intensity LED selections from VCC offer many additional benefits including:

• Silicone lens technology
• Saturated color spectrum
• Special “design-to-fit” secondary optics
• Low thermal resistance
• Full dimming capabilities
• Superior ESD protection
• 100% RoHS Compliance

Our LED selection experienced less than 10% light output decay under test conditions and with our many vivid, saturated colors, surface mounted options and high energy efficiency, our product range has the right high power LEDs for your requirements. Contact us today and our dedicated professionals will be happy to help select the right product for your high power LED application.