Understanding LED Terms

Understanding Terms Used in Reference to LED Signage

At SignRack, we believe in keeping things simple. No jargon. No confusing industry slang. Just clear explanations so you can make the right decision for your business or organization.

This is not an exhaustive dictionary, but it covers the most common terms you’ll encounter when researching or installing LED signs. We’ll continue to update this list as new terms become popular.

Core Display Terms

  • Pixels – The tiny dots of light that make up an LED display. Each pixel is a single point of color.

  • Nits – A measure of brightness. The higher the nits, the easier your sign is to see in bright sunlight. (Most outdoor LED signs range from 5,000–10,000 nits.)

  • Pitch (Pixel Pitch) – The distance between the centers of two pixels, measured in millimeters (e.g., P10 = 10mm). Smaller pitch = higher resolution, sharper image.

  • Resolution – The total number of pixels in a display, often written as width × height (e.g., 384×192). More pixels = sharper detail.

  • Pixel Dimensions – The number of pixels across (width) and down (height) your sign. This determines how much content you can show clearly.

  • Module Resolution – The number of pixels on a single LED module (the building block of the sign).

  • Screen Resolution – The combined resolution of all modules in the finished sign.

Side Note:
Resolution, Pixel Dimensions, and Screen Resolution are often used interchangeably. All three describe the total number of pixels in your display (width × height), whether you’re referring to a single module or the entire sign.

LED Technology Types

  • SMD (Surface-Mounted Diode) – A modern type of LED where the red, green, and blue chips are packaged together. Offers better color mixing, wider viewing angles, and a smoother appearance.

  • DIP (Dual In-Line Package) – An older style LED technology with separate red, green, and blue bulbs. Brighter, but bulkier and less color-accurate than SMD.

  • RGB – Red, Green, Blue. The three colors of light combined in different intensities to create the full color spectrum.

Pixel Structure

  • Real Pixels – Each pixel is made of one red, one green, and one blue LED.

  • Virtual Pixels – A technique where multiple LEDs are shared to create “extra” pixels digitally, improving image clarity without physically adding more LEDs.

Hardware Components

  • Power Supply – Converts AC power (from the wall) into DC power the LEDs need.

  • Video Card – In general computing, this means the graphics card that generates video signals. In LED signs, some people also use “video card” to describe the receiving card, which processes video data.

  • Receiving Card – A card inside the LED sign that receives signal/data and tells the modules how to display it. Sometimes referred to as the video card in LED signage systems.

  • Control Card (Sending Card) – The card that sends the video signal from your computer or software to the receiving card in the sign.

  • Hub Board – A circuit board that distributes data from the receiving card to multiple modules.

  • Terminal Block – A connector used to distribute electrical power safely to different parts of the sign.

  • Modules – Small, rectangular LED boards. Each module has rows of pixels. Signs are built by connecting multiple modules together.

  • Panels (Cabinets) – Larger units made up of multiple modules. Cabinets are pre-assembled sections used to build bigger signs.

  • Squares – Another word for modules or sections, depending on regional usage.

  • Cabinet – The frame/enclosure that holds modules, wiring, power supplies, and cards. Cabinets protect the components and make installation easier.

  • Modular (Design) – A construction approach where signs are built from interchangeable parts (modules and cabinets). This makes them easier to ship, assemble, scale, and repair — you can replace just one module instead of the entire sign.

  • Flat Ribbon Cable – A flat, multi-wire cable used to carry data signals between modules, hub boards, and receiving cards.

  • Ethernet Cable – A standard network cable (Cat5e, Cat6, etc.) used to transmit data between the control computer and the sign’s control/receiving cards.

  • Power Cables – Wires that deliver electrical current from the power supply to the modules and other components of the sign.

Electrical Basics

  • Watts (W) – A unit of power that measures how much energy the sign consumes. Higher watts = more electricity used.

  • Volts (V) – A measure of electrical pressure. Most LED modules run on low-voltage DC power (often 5V), supplied by internal power supplies.

Sensors & Controls

  • Brightness Sensor – Automatically adjusts screen brightness based on sunlight or ambient light levels.

  • Temperature Sensor – Monitors internal cabinet heat to protect components and extend lifespan.

Connectivity & Software

  • Wi-Fi – A wireless connection method that allows you to update your sign locally using your own internet network.

  • LAN (Local Area Network) – A wired Ethernet connection. This is often the most reliable way to connect your sign for fast and stable updates.

  • PoE (Power over Ethernet) – A technology that allows both data and electrical power to be delivered over a single Ethernet cable, reducing cabling needs.

  • CPE (Customer Premises Equipment) – A device used to establish a point-to-point wireless link between your sign and your internet router, often for longer distances where Wi-Fi isn’t practical.

  • Repeaters – Devices that extend or boost a Wi-Fi signal so your sign can connect reliably even if it’s far from the router.

  • 4G – Wireless data connection that allows your sign to receive updates remotely, without a wired internet connection.

  • Cloud-Based Software – Software hosted online that lets you manage your sign from anywhere with internet access.

  • Mobile Application – A smartphone app that allows you to update and manage your sign on the go.

Why This Matters

The more you understand these terms, the easier it is to make informed decisions when comparing sign options. Whether you’re focused on brightness, resolution, or connectivity, knowing the language helps you cut through the noise and focus on what truly matters for your project.