LED Signage Glossary
40+ LED industry terms with definitions. Alphabetical index and live search.
Jump to: A B C D E F I L M O P R S U V W
A
ACM (Aluminum Composite Material)
Rigid sign substrate of aluminum skins over a polymer core, commonly routed for cabinet faces and backs.
Active PFC
Active Power Factor Correction — circuitry that aligns voltage and current phase in a power supply, raising efficiency (TMT PFC models run 88-93%) and reducing harmonic distortion.
B
Ballast
The current-regulating device in fluorescent sign lighting; removed or bypassed during LED retrofits.
Beam Angle
The angular spread of a module's light output. TMT face-lit modules run 160°-170°; the Midi Edge-lit uses a 15°×45° directional beam.
C
Channel Letter
A dimensional sign letter built from a bent metal return and a translucent face, illuminated by LED modules inside the can.
Class 2 Circuit
A UL classification limiting a low-voltage output circuit to 100 VA (60W at 12V via the 5A limit), simplifying code compliance for sign lighting.
Color Temperature (CCT)
The color of white light in kelvin: warm (3000K) through cool (6500K) to blue-white (8000K-10000K, offered on the TMT Tiny).
Constant Voltage Supply
A power supply holding fixed output voltage (12V or 24V) regardless of load — the correct type for LED signage modules.
D
Derating (80% Rule)
A fallback planning guideline: load a supply to no more than 80% of nameplate wattage when no official per-model limit is published.
Diffusion
The light-scattering property of a sign face that evens out module patterns; higher diffusion hides rows but reduces transmission.
Double-Sided Cabinet
A sign cabinet with two illuminated faces, requiring roughly twice the light of a single-sided cabinet of the same size.
E
Edge Lighting
Illuminating a face from perimeter-mounted directional modules (e.g., Midi Edge-lit, throwing up to 7 ft) rather than from behind.
Efficacy (Lm/W)
Lumens produced per watt consumed. The most efficient TMT modules reach 178 Lm/W (Mini 2) and 181 Lm/W (Midi Edge-lit).
F
Face Lighting
Illuminating a sign face from wide-beam modules mounted behind it — the standard method for channel letters and most cabinets.
Flex Face
Flexible translucent sign face material used on very large cabinets.
I
IP67
Ingress Protection rating: dust-tight and protected against temporary immersion (1 m / 30 min). All TMT modules and supplies carry IP67.
I-Beam Rail
The rigid extruded profile of the Midi Stick that resists sag on horizontal runs and accepts snap-in modules.
L
Lightbox
An illuminated cabinet with a translucent graphic face, lit by face or edge methods.
Lumen (Lm)
The unit of luminous flux — total light output. TMT modules range from 41 Lm (Tiny) to 435 Lm (Midi Edge-lit top variant).
Lumen Tables
Published TMT reference data giving cabinet light output for Midi 4 (24V) and Midi 3 (12V) from 24 to 120 inches, single and double-sided.
M
Midi Stick
TMT's aluminum I-beam rail, sold in 8 ft lengths and cut on site, with snap-in mounting for Midi family modules in sign cabinets.
Module
A sealed LED unit (diodes, optics, and circuit) that chains with others to light a sign.
Module Spacing
Center-to-center distance between modules; standard values include 2 in (Tiny), 5.9 in (Mini 2), 8 in (Slim), and 12 in (Midi 4).
O
OCP / OVP / SCP / OTP
Over-current, over-voltage, short-circuit, and over-temperature protection — built into all TMT power supplies.
Orafol Adhesive
The foam mounting adhesive used on the TMT Slim module (in contrast to lines using 3M adhesive).
P
Power Factor
The ratio of real to apparent power drawn from the AC line; improved by Active PFC.
Per-Model Load Limit
The manufacturer's tested module count per supply circuit (e.g., 32 Midi 4 at 1.7W per 60W/12V circuit) — the primary sizing method on this site.
R
Retrofit
Converting an existing fluorescent sign cabinet to LED: assessment, planning, installation, and verification.
Return
The bent metal wall of a channel letter that sets its depth and houses the LED modules.
S
Second-Surface Printing
Printing on the back of a clear face so the graphic is protected and viewed through the substrate.
Sign Cabinet
An enclosed, internally illuminated sign structure with one or two translucent faces.
Stroke Width
The width of a letterform's line; strokes as narrow as 0.5 in are lit with the TMT Tiny module.
U
UL8750
The UL safety standard for LED equipment used in lighting products; all TMT supplies covered here are UL8750 listed.
UV-LED Flatbed
A printer curing UV ink with LED lamps while printing directly onto rigid sheet substrates for sign faces and components.
V
Voltage Drop
Voltage loss along a wire run due to resistance, causing dim far ends; mitigated with heavier gauge wire, shorter runs, or 24V systems.
W
Warranty (TMT)
Module warranties run 5-10 years by model (Mini 2: 10 yr); supplies run 5 years, or 7 years on 60W PFC models.
Wet Location Rating
A code designation for equipment exposed to water; IP67 + UL8750 supplies suit dry, damp, and wet locations.
Pending: definitions above are verified against site data (37 terms); any additional terms from the source React component can be appended per letter.