LED signs are eye-catching ways to advertise your business and draw customers in. When yours starts to flicker, it can give your business an air of unprofessionalism or disorganization, making customers wary of your company. Below are several causes of flickering in signs and how to diagnose them.

Why LED Signs Flicker

1. Weak Power Source

The voltage lowers as it travels from the power source to the sign, causing flickering or dimming. If your sign is a fair distance away from what’s powering it, this could be the problem. If you’re able, connect the sign to a power source that’s closer to it and see if that solves the issue.

2. Damaged Transformer

The transformer can corrode, become dirty, and wear down over time. Pests, high humidity, and continuous use can all contribute to this, causing the voltage it sends out to be inconsistent or interrupted. If you have a voltmeter and know where your LED sign’s transformer is located, you can test it to see if it’s outputting the correct voltage.

3. Loose Wires or Corroded Connections

If your sign only has problems when it’s cold or it works some of the time, the issue could be the wiring. LED commercial signs have a wiring thread running through them that can become loose, disconnected, or its connections corroded if moisture has gotten into it.

To check for this, look at the voltage output at the terminal and transformer, then at the sign itself. If there’s power reading at the terminal and transformer but not at the sign, a wiring issue could be to blame. 

4. Failing or Problematic Dimmer

A dimmer allows you to control the brightness of your sign, so you can save energy and maintain its visibility. However, the dimmers can also interrupt the sign’s power supply.

If you’ve checked all of the other components and have contacted a professional for assistance, ask your sign service and repair tech to remove the dimmer first to see if it fixes the issue.

Are you experiencing a flickering LED sign? Quality Signs & Service Co. in Burlington, KY, will diagnose and correct the cause of malfunctioning commercial signs at competitive pricing. Their work is backed by over 35 years of experience, and if your sign needs upgrading or replacing, they’ll help at every step, from design and art concepts to installation and maintenance. Learn more about their services online and call (859) 525-9966 for an estimate.