feature | story LEDs 101 HOW TO CHOOSE AND INSTALL LEDs INTO FABRICATED SIGNS In our previous issue “THE LED BEHIND THE SIGNS”, we discussed the basics of LED illumination for signs and the technology behind these smart little lighting systems, which leads us into our next article – LEDs 101 – HOW TO CHOOSE AND INSTALL LEDS INTO FABRICATED SIGNS. 46 visual impact magazine In this issue, we’ll discuss practical methods for determining which LED product to use, and how to successfully install them into fabricated signs. Although this may sound easy, there are some particular considerations which need to be addressed first, to ensure you get a perfectly uniform, illuminated sign and here’s how: Key points to remember from our previous article: n LED Pitch (spacing between centre point of each LED module) n Light Output Angle (120 degrees from centre point is typical of most LED chips) n LUX (luminous flux per unit area emitted from a surface) n IP Rating (ingress protection level for dust and water) Step 1 – Determining the Sign Type Prior to choosing an LED lighting product for illuminating a sign, it is important to determine the type of sign you are dealing with. The type of sign greatly impacts the LED module choice. A well designed sign generally means less LEDs, power supplies, lower installation costs and higher energy efficiency. Below are some questions that should be considered which will greatly assist you in your LED lighting design. Is the sign an indoor or outdoor sign? n If indoor, then you probably won’t require an IP rated LED module and power supply which may allow you to use cheaper modules. If outdoor, then you really need to consider an LED module that is minimum IP65 or higher to avoid any possible water damage over time. Remember, outdoor n issue #2/14 | Mar/Apr 2014 LED and more of them to give a nice even ‘halo’ illumination on the surface behind the sign. LED modules are typically mounted to the inside face of the sign, shining towards the rear of the sign. It is recommended that an acrylic diffuser is added to the back of the sign to assist with light diffusion and to protect the letters from ingress of dust, water, bugs, etc. n Is the sign a router-cut block letter style? n This sign type will require a very particular LED lighting system with a very small pitch and generally lots of LEDs to achieve uniform illumination. There are only a select few products designed for these such as SloanLED®’s – BendLUX flexible strips – refer to figure 1. Figure 1 Router Cut Block Letter ill the sign require one or more specific W illuminated colours? n Some manufacturers provide LED modules with different colours such as Red, Green, Blue, Yellow, etc. Full colour RGB LED modules are another consideration, but may render the job more expensive due to additional controllers and wiring. You can also run two LED module products in the one sign to achieve dual colours, or you might be able to use a day/night translucent film which allows two colours depending on the configuration. n signs tend to leak at one point or another, so it’s worth covering yourself upfront. Power supplies should also be chosen accordingly, we recommend IP67 or higher to be 100 percent confident: power and water don’t mix! n Is the sign face Illuminated and/or return illuminated? n If face illuminated only, then you can run the LED modules closer to the edge of the sign and most likely realise a more efficient layout. If returns are illuminated then you will need to mount the LED modules further away from the edge of the sign to avoid hot spots or a shadowing effect, it may mean more modules. n n n Is the sign halo illuminated? n Halo signs typically require a lower powered www.visa.org.au Is the sign subject to regulations for brightness? n Certain installation locations across Australia are subject to local Council or Government regulations with regards to maximum LUX levels of a sign. These should be adhered to closely and can often be approximated using LED module manufacturer data (lumens per module). Final exact figures will require light measurement instrumentation. Is the sign to be installed in a difficult to access location? n If the sign is to be installed in an easy to access location then you may be able to consider a more economical line of LED module to fit your budget. Daehantrans for example have their STAR L02 range of LED modules which are still based on quality LED chips, but cater for the price conscious customer. n If the sign is to be installed in a difficult to access location such as a multi story building or over a major highway, then you don’t want to skimp on quality and you need to choose the best product you can find such as SloanLED®’s V180 family of LED modules. One more important consideration, often overlooked in Australia, is the acrylic product type. Most signs in Australia are manufactured from standard opal-acrylics that are not designed for LEDs, hence don’t have great light diffusion / transmission properties. The US and European markets use, and have been for some time, special acrylics or diffuser films that are designed specifically for LED light sources, and they work well! These products diffuse the point source of light that is typically output from an LED module and allow for higher light transmission. As a result, less LEDs are required to achieve uniform illumination, while brightness levels tend to be much higher. These products cost more, but those such as Perspex Spectrum LED and 3M™ Envision™ Films are definitely worth considering as the results are impressive and often the costs can be offset elsewhere. Step 2 - Determine the sign depth – IMPORTANT The internal depth of your sign is very important when choosing LED modules for illumination. Depth greatly affects the module type, brightness, pitch and layout. As many LED modules have a similar light output angle, the general rule of thumb is the pitch is going to be approximately that of the depth of the sign, eg. a 100mm deep sign might need an LED pitch of 100mm or less. The shallower the sign, the more LEDs you’ll require! A new generation of LED modules are hitting the market pioneered by SloanLED, with their V180 family of modules. This particular style of module is designed without a lens, yet achieves 180 degrees of light throw, which lends itself perfectly to shallow face illuminated signs and much larger pitch configurations in standard and deep signs. The V180 family of LED modules (Mini, Standard and Large) really is ahead of the game and is a prime example of a quality lighting system which ultimately requires fewer modules and lower installation costs to illuminate more. See below module layout comparison (courtesy of SloanLED®): visual impact magazine 47 3M Scotchlok connectors for European installations only. Not UL recognized for North American installations. feature | story CAN DEPTH STROKE WIDTH Module Layout Comparison 1. Tools required: Measuring tape, wire Optional: Drill, screwdriver. VLstrippers. Plus White Short (6500 K) 31 modules, 1240 lumens 1m Choosing the correct LED module for the job can be easy or hard depending on whom you 2. Supplies cable, nuts, purchase from,required: but now PLTC that you havewire reviewed IDC connectors or butt splices, and cable and ties. answered the above questions, you should Optional: Screws and silicone. be armed with Scotchlok™ ample information to for allow NOTE: 3M™ connectors yourEuropean LED supplier to choose installations only.the type of LED module(s) you need. 5. Fasteners: If desired, modules can be secured with #6 (3,5mm) pan head sheet 3. metal Layout: To populate sign, refer to V180 density screws or 1/8in (3mm) aluminium guidelines, test, or contact your SloanLED rivets. Representative for recommendations. 6. Connections: Modules may be connected in series or parallel 0,15 m 0,5 m Step 4 – Installing the LED modules into the sign – the easy part WARNING: Check Polarity: All connections must be RED-TO-RED (+) and BLACKTO-BLACK (-). Reverse polarity connections may damage the LEDs and will void product warranty. Most reputable LED module manufacturers will provide easy to follow installation guidelines 125 mm can depth that not only make installing the LED’s a breeze, they also ensure you experience minimal issues V180 achieves even illumination and save time and ultimately money. Below is an excerpt of a typical installation guideline with 50% less modules for an LED module for a fabricated letter sign (courtesy of SloanLED®): V180 Standard (6500 K) 17 modules, 850 lumens 1. Tools required: Measuring tape, wire 4. Peel and stick: Clean inside sign with rubbing alcohol and allow to dry. 5. Fasteners: If 6. Connections: Modules may be connected in 1m strippers. Optional: Using predetermined layout and LED placement from Step 3, remove Drill, screwdriver. desired, modules series or parallel. 7. Cap all unused wires: The strand of modules 2. Smodules upplies are required: cable, wire nuts, be secured tape backing and stick modules into place. Ensure firmly S/ELV can with #6 and (3,5 mm) attached. CAUTION: When handling modules, avoid down or butt splices, should not be looped to create a closed IDCpressing connectors cable directly on top of LEDs. pan head sheet circuit. ties. Optional: Screws and silicone. metal screws or1 OF 2 PAGE 8. Connect power supply to first module on 3. Layout: To populate sign, refer to V180 density 0,25 m 0,5 m 1/8 in (3 mm) string: See power supply install guide for guidelines, test, or contactaluminum your SloanLED rivets. -WLP2-MB, 701269-6WSG1-MB, 701269-6WLG1-MB more information regarding power supply Representative for recommendations. installation. Optional Optional 9. Optional condensed spacing: If sign 125 mm can depth Condensed Stretched requires modules Spacing Spacing to be condensed from Standard & wires as shown natural wire(V180 spacing, loop 3M Scotchlok connectors for V180 Large) European installations only. to avoid wires creating shadows on the sign Step 3 – Choosing the LED Installation Guide for 701269-WLP2-MB, 701269-6WSG1-MB, 701269-6WLG Not UL recognized for face. module and layout theinstallations. job – Northfor American CAN DEPTH 10. Optional stretched spacing: If desired, the fun part module spacing for V180 Standard and The majority of reputable LED module STROKE WIDTH V180 Large can be extended by gently manufacturers will offer free estimation services 3M Scotchlok connectors for pulling the modules and releasing the with a fast turnaround. This takes the guess European apart installations only. Not UL recognized for extra wire in-between. work out of determining what product to use North American installations. CAN D and quantities a particular sign 7. what Cap all unused for wires: The 8. type. Connect power supply to first Optional condensed spacing: Optional stretched spacing: You are now ready to power-up and test your They strand shouldofalso offer online resources to make modules should not be module on string: See power If sign requires modules to be If desired, module spacing for V180 2. Supplies required: PLTC cable, wire nuts, 3. Layout: To populate sign, refer to V180 density looped toeasier. create aThis closed circuit. supply install guide for more condensed from natural wire Standard and V180 Large sign. Assuming you followed your LEDcan module your job even alone can hours IDC connectors or butt splices, andsave cable guidelines, test, or contact your SloanLED information regarding power spacing, loop wires as shown to be extended byshould gently pulling installation guidelines, you have athe nice, of mucking around with trials, as these guys ties. Optional: Screws and silicone. Representative for recommendations. supply installation. avoid wires creating shadows on modules apart and releasing the bright and perfectly uniform lit sign! 4. Peel and stick: Clean inside sign with invested heavily in researchconnectors and development NOTE: 3M™ Scotchlok™ for the sign face. extra wire in-between. rubbing alcohol and allow to dry. Using regarding use of their products, and know European the installations only. Hopefully, the above information provides predetermined layout and LED placement what works in which situation, again, another 1. Tools required: Measuring tape,tape wirebacking and2.stick Supplies required: PLTC cable, wire nuts, 3. Layout: some basics for how to choose and install from Step 3, remove reason to use reputable brands. strippers. Optional: IDC connectors or butt andsigns. cable It is a very guideline LED modules for splices, illuminated modulesDrill, intoscrewdriver. place. Ensure modules are WARNING: ties. Optional: Screws and broad discussion for silicone. a topic which has many Represe firmly attached. CAUTION: When handling Generally, if you have a sign that is 100mm Check Polarity: All NOTE:configuration 3M™ Scotchlok™ connectors forrecommend connections must options so we modules, avoid pressing down directly on depth or less, then you need to consider an Your single source for LED Innovation, Experience and Selection European installations only. be RED-TO-RED contacting your LED supplier to gain the best top of LEDs. LED module that has a lower light output and (+) and BLACKadvice on which product to smaller pitch to avoid creating hot TO-BLACK (-). use for your sign. spots on the face or returns of Reverse polarity your sign. If your sign is greater connections may In the next issue, we’ll in depth, then you will most damage the LEDs discuss light boxes and likely need a higher powered and will void how you can confidently LED module to throw more light product warranty. make the transition from at the sign face and your pitch fluorescent tubes to LED configuration will vary depending lighting systems; it’s easier on the LED module specifications 5. Fasteners: If ubbing alcohol and allow to dry. 6. Connections: Modules may be connected in than you think. (lens, light output, diffusers, etc.). acement from Step 3, remove desired, modules series or parallel. Again, approach a reputable can be secured e. Ensure modules are firmly Rob Gentle – Visual module supplier for the best dules, avoidLED pressing down with #6 (3,5 mm) Technologies – Digital Signs advice on which product topan use head in sheet & LED Supplies each situation. metal screws or 1/8 in (3 mm) 4. Peel and stick: Clean inside sign with rubbing alcohol and allow to dry. 5. Fasteners: If 6. Connec aluminum rivets. Using predetermined layout and LED placement from Step 3, remove desired, modules series o 48 visual impact magazine issue 2014 tape backing and stick modules into place. Ensure modules are firmly can #2/14 | Mar/Apr be secured attached. CAUTION: When handling modules, avoid pressing down with #6 (3,5 mm) Optional pan head sheet directly on top of LEDs.Optional V180