Among the main elements of an LED screen, ribbon cable does not seem so great, but it plays a very great role in signal transmission stability and system longevity. The three common types of ribbon cable materials used nowadays are tinned copper, bare copper, and aluminum-magnesium wire. Then how do we choose the right one properly according to real needs?

Think About the Installation Scenario

· Fixed or Small Screens (Screen width ≤ 3 meters): Aluminum-magnesium wire is available if the length of ribbon cable is between 1.5 meters. If long-term stability is required, the optimum one to use is tinned copper.

· Outdoor Large Displays or Rental Screens (Must be installed and removed frequently, and must also be weather-resistant): In this case, tinned copper is essential because of its better bending and anti-oxidation resistance.

Consider the Distance of Transmission

· To a distance of 1.5 Meters: If you are financially constrained, employing aluminum-magnesium wire would be the best. However, if stable transmission performance is an imperative, use tinned copper first.

· More than 1.5 Meters: Tinned copper needs to be utilized at once. This is because at distances greater than 1.5 meters, attenuation of a 100MHz signal will be more than 5dB and aluminum-magnesium wire will be likely to experience signal loss at these distances.

Don't forget Service Life

· Short-term Projects (1-2 years): Aluminum-magnesium wire is appropriate because it is less expensive.

· Extended Projects (3 years and more): Tinned copper is the preferable option, as it is cheaper in the long run, and its life spans well over twice that of aluminum-magnesium wire. 

Pitfalls to Avoid

Watch out for bare copper ribbon cables! Some bare copper cables, though red copper-plated on the surface, contain an internal brass core. In half a year's use, their oxidation rate can exceed 50%, leading to communication errors, screen flashes, etc.

When selecting ribbon cables, make sure to choose tinned copper cables with a shiny silver tin coating. Opt for products that have passed 24-hour salt spray testing without any blackening and have a bending life of 210,000 cycles. Avoid cheap, unverified products that do not meet quality standards.

Through proper comprehension of your LED display system needs and extremely careful attention to the material employed for the ribbon cable, you may provide reliable operation and prolong your display system's life.