Choosing IP Protection for Outdoor LED Modules and Neon Flex

Choose IP protection for the exposure at each part of the sign. Match the exact LED module or neon flex assembly to the expected water and dust exposure, then verify the cut ends, cable entries, connectors, and enclosures as they will be installed.

Start with how water reaches the sign

The first digit in an IP rating describes protection against solid ingress. The second describes protection against water ingress. IP65 and IP67 both indicate dust-tight protection. IP65 specifies protection against water jets under defined conditions, while IP67 specifies protection against temporary immersion under defined conditions. If a location can see both jet cleaning and temporary immersion, ask for documentation covering both exposures.

Record the exposure by location before setting a rating in the purchase specification. A recessed channel letter under a canopy may have sheltered modules and a cable entry in the path of runoff. An exposed neon outline may have a joint where water collects in the mounting profile. A low-mounted sign may face splash from pavement or direct spray during cleaning. Show these locations on the sign drawing so the fabricator can match each component to the conditions it will face.

Check the exact model and the finished assembly

LED modules inside letters and cabinets

HansonLed lists the I92 channel letter module as IP65 and the I162 pixel module as IP67. Use those catalog entries to shortlist models, then check the datasheet for the exact version you intend to order and confirm whether the rating covers its supplied leads or connectors. HansonLed channel letter LED modules and HansonLed pixel LED modules.

For a letter or cabinet, trace the wiring from the module to the power supply or controller. Mark every splice, cable exit, and enclosure along that route. If the sign design provides for drainage, verify that the installed orientation preserves the drainage path and keeps connections away from places where water can collect. Use the actual enclosure and component instructions to confirm permitted mounting and cable entry details.

Neon flex on exposed outlines

For neon flex, ask which configuration the documented rating applies to. Factory-terminated lengths and field-cut runs may have different conditions for maintaining protection. If field cutting is permitted, check the specified cut points, end caps, feed connectors, and sealing procedure for the exact model. Where the supplier documents a factory-terminated assembly but gives no corresponding field procedure, specify factory lengths for the exposed sections.

Lay out corners and joints before ordering. Check the permitted bend direction, minimum bend radius, and mounting method against the product instructions. A tight return can force a joint into an exposed corner or place strain on the feed cable. Adjust the layout where necessary so the installer can follow the specified bend limits, secure the cable, and reach the termination for inspection.

Specify RGB control separately from IP protection

Whole-module RGB changes the color of the module as one unit. Modules sharing a control zone can change together. Individually addressable RGB gives each defined pixel its own color and brightness commands, which lets adjacent pixels display different colors at the same time. For a chase or gradient, confirm what one address controls in the selected product. An address can represent one emitter or a group, depending on the design.

Write the required effect into the purchase specification. For a sign that changes color as a single zone, specify which letters or outlines should follow the same command. For a moving effect, document the intended pixel layout and confirm the controller protocol, wiring, and power arrangement against the selected model. Review ingress protection separately for the data connections and controller enclosure.

Pre-order checklist for sign fabricators

• Mark exposure on the drawing. Identify direct rain, runoff, cleaning spray, and any location where water may pool.

• Record the exact model. Match each part number to its datasheet and the documented conditions for its IP rating.

• List every termination. Specify the end caps, splices, cable glands, connectors, and enclosures required for the installed layout.

• Confirm the flex fabrication method. Record which lengths arrive factory-terminated and which may be cut and sealed on site under the supplier's instructions.

• State the control requirement. Define the shared RGB zones or individual pixel addresses and verify controller compatibility for the selected product.

• Inspect before closing the sign. Compare the installed joints, cable entries, routing, and drainage details with the approved drawing and product instructions.

Frequently asked questions

Can I substitute IP67 for IP65 on a sign cleaned with water jets?

Check the product documentation for water-jet protection under conditions relevant to the cleaning method. The IP67 designation addresses temporary immersion. If both exposures are expected, request evidence for both.

Does neon flex keep its IP rating after field cutting?

It depends on the exact model and the documented termination method. Verify that the supplier specifies the resulting protection for the field-cut assembly and identifies the required parts and sealing steps.

Do modules inside channel letters need the same rating as exposed neon flex?

Assess each location separately. A letter cavity and an exposed outline can have different exposure to runoff, spray, and standing water. Include the wiring and connections in each assessment, then specify the protection required for the actual installation.