NEMA 4 and IP65 Outdoor Digital Signage Made Easy

Anybody embarking on an outdoor digital signageand NEMA 4 LCD TVs are being manufactured to
campaign will be aware of the IP and NEMAenable the devices to be taken outdoors.
standards governing the use of such technologiesHowever, so far the cost of these outdoor LCD
in the open air. IP 65 and NEMA 4 are the mostTVs is extremely high compared with standard
common ratings issued for outdoor digital signageTVs and any ROI (Return on Investment) is
and TV systems.highly unlikely for a considerable period of time
NEMA – National Electrical Manufacturers– despite the advantages of outdoor digital
Association – produce their NEMA ratingssignage over conventional print media and even
system for the American market whilst theindoor digital signage.
European IP Rating (Ingress Protection) wasHowever, a far more cost effective method of
developed by the EU for the European market.outdoor digital signage is to use standard LCD TV
Both these systems allow consumers to establishand enclose it in an NEMA 4 and IP65 LCD
what hazards the outdoor digital signage orenclosure.
outdoor TV system is designed to cope with.These protective environments can house almost
Strictly speaking the two ratings systemsany size and make of standard plasma or LCD
can’t be compared as they involve differentTVs from compact 20” to giant 70”
criteria to achieve the standards. However,screens.
generally speaking for any electrical appliance toThe cost saving with a standard TV in an IP65
operate outdoors where there is the potential ofNEMA 4 enclosure compared to a NEMA 4 / IP65
rain and other wet weather systems then NEMATV system can be quite dramatic and offers far
4 and IP65 are the minimum ratings required.more potential to make a return on your
For the purposes of outdoor digital signage, IP65investment.