The only silly question is the one we don’t ask… or, something like that. Well, here are some answers to the questions we hear most often. If you don’t see the answer you need, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
How long do your LEDs last?
In addition to accelerated life and LM-79 and LM-80 test data, we track all returns. Principal LED sign modules has a failure rate of less than 0.01%. That is why we offer extended labor warranty on our entire line of outdoor LEDs for signs.
Do we have photo metric or IES files on all of our LED’s?
This is available upon request. Please ask for one of our Engineers when you call in.
What is the max distance RGB Controllers will operate at?
Our RGB Controllers will operate 60-100 feet if there is a clear line of site between the remote and the controller.
What is the maximum number of amplifiers that can be used on an RGB system?
As long as the amplifiers are wired according to the manufacturer’s instructions, an unlimited number of amplifiers can be used.
What size screws must be used to mechanically mount the LED’s?
#4 screws must be used to mechanically mount LEDs.
Can you run multiple leads to power supply? If so what is the maximum number of leads that you can run from it?
Yes. As long as the number of LEDs attached is under the maximum load for the power supply, then it does not matter.
Are the RGB and Single Color Controllers outdoor rated?
No, the RGB and Single Color Controllers are not outdoor rated.
Are leads on both ends of the Flat Stiks and Street Wrap standard?
Yes, the leads on both ends of the Flat Stiks and Street Wrap are standard.
If P-LED says that their products are “Constant Current” then why do I have to split the load?
This is Principal’s standard policy to ensure there is no light loss and that the products achieve at their peak performance.
What is the difference between Lumens and Kelvin temperature?
Lumens is a measurement of the brightness of an LED; Kelvin temperature is a measurement of the CCT or color of the LED.
What is “Efficacy” and why is it important?
Efficacy is a measurement that shows how many lumens are created by an LED per watt of power. We want this value to be high because it indicates the efficiency of the LED. The higher the number, the less LEDs you can use to light a sign and in turn reduce the number of power supplies used; cutting down on both product and labor costs.
Is a 24VDC system “better” than a 12VDC system? Is it brighter, more efficient, will my modules last longer?
24V LEDs do allow for more run footage, but 12V LEDs will have the same brightness, efficiency, and lifespan.
How do you hook up half a Stik?
A double sided P-LED Stik will have modules or light tape on two sides of it. At the bottom of the Stik, each side will have a separate positive and negative lead. When splitting a Stik between two power supplies, one set of these leads will be wired to one power supply and the second set of leads will be wired to another.
How many feet can I put the power supply away from the LED’s?
This is a case by case basis and depends entirely on the gauge of wire that is used; the thicker the wire, the further the distance. Click here for a helpful calculator used to determine the gauged of wire you will need.
What is making the LED’s flash/blink?
If the LEDs are blinking in a consistent manner, the power supply is in “hiccup mode”. This indicates the power supply is over loaded and some modules need to be taken off.
Is Principal LED DLC? Or Energy Star?
No, but this is due to the fact that DLC and Energy Star do not have categories in their programs for LED’s used in commercial sign lighting. Both programs use LM79 and LM80 reports from third party testing facilities to determine their standards and Principal has these reports available upon request.
Do you have UL information?
- Yes, our component file for the SAM is E341517 and our retrofit file is E362710. Additional information is available upon request.
Where can I find the UL Information? The inspector is here.
For UL information, please call our office or login to UL’s database here and search E341517 for the power supplies and LEDs, or E362710 for retrofit information.
How many amplifiers do I need?
You will need one less than the total number of power supplies. So if the sign has 6 power supplies, you would need 5 amplifiers since one of the power supplies will connect to the controller
How many Nits in this sign?
When determining Nits, the best choice is measuring this value with a light meter. Nits depends on the LED used, the depth and dimensions of a sign, face material used and the distance from the sign that the measurement is taken. There are far too many factors in most cases to make an accurate calculation, so measuring it will yield the best result.
What is the lifetime of your LED’s?
This varies slightly depending on which LED is being used, but the average is at least 50,000 hours. We have the LM80 reports available upon request to support this.
Can I make the lights chase?
No, that requires an extra programming chip that our products do not have.
Do you have LEED Certification?
No, LEED applies to a building as a whole and certifies the structures is utilizing energy efficient items like LEDs.
What is total harmonic distortion?
The total harmonic distortion (THD) is a measurement of the harmonic distortion present in a signal and is defined as the ratio of the sum of the powers of all harmonic components to the power of the fundamental frequency. This will relate to the power supplies only and they are the only component that generates any kind of frequency.
Are your LEDs dimmable?
Yes
Do you have a dimmable Power Supply?
No.
Will your LED’s work with a dimmable power supply?
Yes, if the dimming method used is PWM (Pulse Width Modulation).
When wiring power supply to a 240v line, do we run a hot wire to each black and white lead?
Yes.
Is the 264 watt power supply a 4 channel?
No, it is a single output, non-class 2 unit.
Do you have LM-79 testing that provides efficacy, output, color and photometric distribution, Luminaire efficacy, Light output (Lumens) of your products?
Available upon request.
Where are your LEDs made?
Most of our LED modules are made at our factory (Principal Tech.) in Taiwan, with additional assembly at our plant in Texas. PLED also has contract manufacturing plants in Shenzhen and Shanghai, China.
How can I buy your product?
Principal LED has over 75 distribution locations throughout the USA, Canada, and South America. Navigate to Where to Buy for a list by state and specific location.
How do you bin your LEDs?
Our Fusion DM LEDs are binned ourselves at the module level using 100% automated test equipment. SMD parts that we source come from a single bin and then are sub-binned to further increase uniformity.