A typical issue with video walls is their lifespan, which is perfectly understandable! A video wall is rarely the cheapest display choice (especially when only the initial cost is considered), so you want to ensure you’ll get a lot of use out of it. Decision makers in practically every industry, from retail to music halls to corporate centres, must assess their LED signs’ return on investment (ROI). In most situations, prospective purchasers start with the obvious: the LED manufacturer’s spec sheet.
The industry norm for LED lifespan is 100,000 hours or approximately ten years, dependent on how hard the system is pushed and the environment it is operating in,
However, it is not quite that straightforward. The 100,000-hour figure presupposes that every diode consistently operates at full brightness, which is rarely the case on an LED panel. The lifespan figure is also deceptive because it reflects when a diode fades to half-brightness rather than fully dark. Many other factors influence the longevity of an LED display; you cannot rely entirely on the figure on the diode spec sheet.
What other elements influence the lifespan of your LED display?
Weather
Heat is the most significant contributor to diode deterioration. As the brightness of a diode increases, so does its heat output. The physical environment of your display also influences the temperature of the diodes, especially for outdoor displays.
Assume you’re in Death Valley, Nevada. The diode can still function at those temperatures, but it will degrade faster. Temperature is a significant factor – one over which you have no influence. The principle can also be applied in reverse. Extreme cold, for example, can increase the life of your signage if it is located in Canada.
Power
The quality of your display’s power supply, as well as how hard it drives the diodes, can have a substantial impact on the lifespan of your screen. Other powered components, such as fans and electrical components, have lifespans likewise influenced by the power supply.
Fans are mechanical devices that frequently fail. Electrical components, like those in your computer, do not endure forever. All of these aspects contribute to an LED display’s lifespan. Looking only at the diode lifespan does not often tell the whole story; another component will usually fail first.
Design
You should also evaluate the architecture and construction of the unit that houses the diodes on the screen. Something as simple as ventilation is critical. You’ll need a screen with strong cooling and a design that allows heat to escape through vents in the back.
It’s easy to see why: the electrical boards that power the display generate heat, and that heat must be dissipated somewhere. Thermal stress will shorten the display’s life without a sturdy design, except for the highest-quality parts under ideal conditions.
Technological Advancements
Video wall technology has undergone many advancements as years have passed. The video wall you currently possess might be old and lack these features. You can also outgrow the purpose and features that you initially required from your video wall. You might need to change your video wall due to a change in functionality requirement.
How to lengthen the lifespan of a video wall
Another point to emphasise is that when we think of longevity, we always think of the main component of the screen: the panel, even though other factors might severely affect the operation of an LED display. Without further ado, it is far more likely that a circuit will be broken before the panel is removed (ignoring the logical loss of brightness due to the passage of time and the appearance of dead pixels).
Similarly, an LED display does not have to be replaced because it no longer works: its performance may no longer be optimal, jeopardising the goals set in any specific marketing campaign.
Avoid Locations That Are Either Too Wet or Too Sunny
We understand that the optimum position for an outdoor LED display, at least from an advertising standpoint, does not always correlate with the best weather conditions for preserving your display. Even though our outdoor LED displays are rainproof, a somewhat dry climate with a reasonable number of hours of sunlight is more beneficial to the conservation of any LED display than one that is rainier and sunnier. Indoor LED displays should be avoided in environments with high humidity or where dust accumulates. You can better protect it from environmental conditions this way.
Ensure That Sunlight Does Not Directly Impact The LED Display
If you install indoor LED displays in your store window, be sure that sunlight does not directly touch the display since this will compel you to increase the contrast and brightness to extremely high levels. While Visual LED displays always provide excellent visibility regardless of ambient brightness, pushing these settings would increase power consumption and decrease the monitor’s life. Remember this when it comes to window display dressing in your business.
Place Your Screen On A Flat Surface At All Times
This is another critical guideline for extending the life of your video wall. If the screens are not going to be mounted on the wall, they must be positioned on a stable and flat surface.
Use A Voltage Regulator And A Surge Protector.
Although many users confuse them, the truth is that these are two distinct parts. Surge suppressors are devices meant to mitigate small voltage surges, similar to network cycles. Other safeguards, such as filters against electromagnetic interference and electrical noise, can be added to these elements. When the surge duration is extended or frequently repeated, the suppressor may be destroyed and cease functioning, making this an unsuitable solution for voltage regulation.
Voltage regulators, on the other hand, counterbalance voltage fluctuations that last longer than one network cycle or more than 16.6 milliseconds. In this manner, even if the voltage on the grid fluctuates, a voltage with high stability and no fluctuations is attained. In short, the voltage regulator maintains a consistent voltage level, which is required to operate any electrical device properly.
As a result, while both the surge suppressor and the voltage regulator are complementary and equally important, they are not advised to be used simultaneously. Currently, companies supply both integrated into a single regulator technology (or electronic regulator).
Abrasive Liquids Should Not Be Used To Clean The Screen
To increase the longevity of your LED display, always use products with a proper formulation on the external components. We are not only referring to chemical products when we say this but also to other items often used at home to clean televisions, such as vinegar. We can advise you on which products are best suited to cleaning your LED display when you purchase your screen.
We also recommend using a dampened special cloth or soft chamois, such as that used to clean glasses.
Do Not Use Your Fingers To Touch The Screen.
Although it may appear simple, this is one of the most common errors committed by individuals and businesses. Always keep your LED displays for stores and storefronts if you need to relocate them at the ends. You must also avoid accidentally hitting them.