It doesn’t matter what company you choose to buy your digital sign from, putting in the right power is one of the most important steps to the installation.
No matter how fast you want your sign to start working for you, it’s important to slow down and ensure that installation is completed correctly. As with any electronic device, poor electrical service can lead to catastrophic results.
An easy way to envision electrical for your outdoor digital sign is to think of it like a car. It's made to operate in all weather conditions, but it's sensitive on the inside. You wouldn't buy a brand-new car, go to the gas station, and fill up the gas tank without checking what kind of fuel it requires.
Like a car filled accidentally with diesel, fueling a digital sign with the wrong power can cause internal damage that is not visible and shorten the lifespan of your display—or at worst, catch your brand new sign on fire.
Even if the impact isn't dramatic, improper electrical wiring on installation will often void your warranty, and anything that goes wrong from that point may not be covered.
No one wants an electrical fire and no one wants to hear their warranty is invalid due to improper electrical. Both of these situations are a bad day and a big headache for everyone involved. So how can you keep a sign safe and make sure everything goes smoothly with the electrical installation?
Every digital sign comes with a manual that will clearly define what they need to be powered on. This means that if the manual says the sign needs a dedicated power circuit, then it can’t be shared with any other devices such as a lightbox, timer, or photocell.
The manual is the single source of truth for how a sign should be wired and your installer should be familiar with it and should not deviate from the specifications outlined there.
When installing your sign, make sure you’re working with a certified electrician. Certified electricians go through years of training and know how to ensure your sign is safe and up to code.
Make sure to ask your electrician if they are certified. If not, ask for someone else. This protects your investment and will help to prevent future issues. If you have any electrical-related questions, your electrician is the person to ask and can be a resource during the installation.
Even when working with an experienced electrician, mistakes can happen. Taking a few extra minutes to verify that what you have asked for, is exactly what they have provided can go a long way. Catching issues early can save you a lot of money and stress in the long run.
At Cirrus we are constantly innovating to protect your digital sign and prevent power-related failure. Cirrus Outdoor panels will automatically shut down if there is a power issue, from improper voltage to brownouts preventing damage to your sign.
This feature protects your sign from improper electrical installation and allows you to get maintenance completed before things begin to go wrong.
When you're talking to sign companies about a new digital sign for your organization, make sure you ask them what systems the sign has in place to prevent electrical issues from ruining your new investment.
No matter who you choose to buy a sign from, following these steps can help ensure your display is up and running for years to come.
If you want to talk more about digital signage for your business Cirrus is here to help. Our experts can help you determine if Cirrus is the right fit. Reach out to us today.