Winter Weather and Digital Signs: What You Need to Know
In the Northern Hemisphere, winter is in full swing, with snow arriving early this year. Although much of Europe saw it melt away quickly, the weather served as the first test of 2025 for public furniture, assessing whether manufacturers have truly accounted for diverse environmental challenges. In our recent article we will try to demonstrate how challenges that may seem simple at first glances can become far more complex when put into practice.
In the digital signage industry, thermal management is a well-known mantra, and for a good reason. Heat poses a silent threat to electronic components. However, heat is just one aspect of thermal management.
Extreme cold is also a concern, and manufacturers should be mindful of its effects. Electronic components should operate within optimal temperature ranges, as exposure to extreme cold can negatively impact their performance and longevity. What are the main problems that occur during winter for outdoor digital signage?
Sluggish Response Times & Ghosting
The LCD panel is the most critical and the most expensive component integrated into signage enclosure. The minimum operating temperature of an LCD panel is 0°C. When exposed to lower temperatures, LCD panels may experience slower response times, as the liquid crystals become less responsive. Another common issue is temporary image retention or "ghosting," where previous images remain faintly visible even after they should have changed.
Condensation
Fluctuations in temperature between day and night or heaters on/off can result in condensation forming on display surfaces and electronic components. While signage enclosures may be IP56 or even IP66 certified, failure to address this issue sufficiently can lead to components being exposed to water due to condensation. The presence of condensation can potentially damage sensitive electronics and compromise the longevity of the most critical component display panel.
Solution
The solution seems straightforward: integrated heaters. While a basic heater can prevent several potential issues, it can also introduce new ones. Improperly positioned or inappropriate heaters can create hot spots, leading to uneven heating and potential damage.
The heaters should ideally be fan-based or strategically positioned within the enclosure to ensure the effective distribution of warm air across the internal components of the digital signage system. The same principle applies to temperature sensors, which need to be strategically placed in the enclosure.
An outdoor digital sign must be intelligent enough to manage the relationship between integrated components, such as the LCD panel, which is itself a heating body, heaters, and fans.
Reliable digital signs always possess dedicated software with the capability to analyze data from integrated sensorics and adjust thermal management accordingly. This not only ensures that the components are maintained within the recommended operating range but also aids in optimizing energy consumption. More about the sustainability of outdoor digtial signs can be found in our article: “Balancing Brightness and Sustainability with imotion Outdoor Digital Signs”.
Conclusion
In conclusion, electronic components placed in public spaces face complex challenges due to diverse environmental factors. As demonstrated by our heater sample, how challenges that may seem simple at first glances can become far more complex when put into practice. To safeguard your investment, we highly recommend purchasing from trusted European manufacturers with a long-standing history of proven, reliable solutions.
If you are interested in a reliable, intelligent outdoor digital sign, don’t hesitate to contact us now via the button below. Our experts will be happy to support you with your future projects.