Factory vs Site Acceptance Testing for LED Displays: What Each Covers

Quick answer

Factory acceptance testing is a pre-shipment gate; site acceptance testing is an installed-system gate. Scope the factory test around the exact ordered model, pitch, cabinet, module and controller, with documented performance and service hardware verified before release. Scope the site test around mounting, seams, power and signal integration, camera use, service access and handover spares. Neither gate replaces the other, so write both scopes, evidence, pass/fail criteria and retest triggers into the order before production.

Sources used: EA-OFixed specs; EA640H1 specs; EA500C6 specs; EA250H8 specs

Factory acceptance and site acceptance are different gates

A factory acceptance test and a site acceptance test answer different questions. The factory gate asks whether the ordered configuration, documented performance and service hardware are present before shipment. The site gate asks whether the delivered system works in its installed position, with the actual mounting, power, signal, room conditions and service route. Our advice is to treat them as two separate approvals rather than one handover event.

The two gates also have different evidence. Factory evidence normally includes identity records, configuration revision, test settings, measured or observed performance and a defect list. Site evidence normally includes the installed layout, seam and alignment record, power and signal checks, camera test results where applicable, service access confirmation and the final spare list. Both records should be tied to the same order revision so a change on site does not silently invalidate the factory result.

What factory acceptance testing should cover

Factory acceptance testing should start with the exact ordered configuration. For an EA-OFixed outdoor board, that means confirming the 960×960 mm cabinet and whether the order is P4, P5, P6.67, P8 or P10, with SMD LEDs or the P10 DIP option. For an EA640H1 indoor wall, confirm the 640×480 mm cabinet, the P1.25 to P2.5 pitch and whether GOB applies, since GOB is listed on P1.25 to P2 models. For an EA500C6 rental cabinet, confirm whether the order is indoor or outdoor and the selected pitch. For an EA250H8, confirm the 250×500 mm 90-degree corner cabinet and the compatible cabinets it will join.

Factory performance checks should match the named model. EA-OFixed lists brightness from 5,500 to 8,000 cd/m² depending on configuration, at least 3,840 Hz refresh and 14-bit grayscale. EA640H1 lists 600 cd/m² on P1.25 to P1.86, 700 cd/m² on P2 and 800 cd/m² on P2.5, with at least 3,840 Hz, 14-bit grayscale and a 140° viewing angle. EA500C6 lists 700–800 cd/m² indoors or 4,500–6,000 cd/m² outdoors, at least 3,840 Hz, 14-bit grayscale and 140°. EA250H8 lists at least 3,840 Hz, 14-bit grayscale, 140° and brightness from 750 cd/m² for indoor models to 4,800 cd/m² for the P3.91 outdoor model.

Factory checks should include the documented power and service hardware, not just a lit image. EA640H1 cabinets run on AC 100–240 V, 50–60 Hz, with average consumption of 100 W/m² and maximum consumption of 300 W/m² across all five pitches; the source advises sizing supply, cabling and any UPS on the maximum figure rather than the average. EA500C6 has an openable rear cover for access to the power and control area. EA250H8 has a detachable rear power box, an integrated hub connection and a test button. EA-OFixed lists four aerofoil fans, a ventilation volume of 6.6 cubic meters per minute and 25 air circulations per minute inside the cabinet.

Acceptance check areas and evidence to request

What site acceptance testing should cover

Site acceptance starts with the installed mechanical result, including seams and cabinet alignment. EA-OFixed high-precision cabinets align closely to form a flat, continuous surface, and seamless splicing helps images and video appear consistent across cabinet boundaries. EA640H1 die-cast aluminum cabinets join with quick locks and align at the joints. EA500C6 uses positioning pins plus top and side quick locks to align and secure cabinet joints. EA250H8 uses fixed mounting slots and fast locks to align and secure cabinets during repeated rental setup. The site check should confirm the delivered layout, not only that cabinets powered on.

Site acceptance should verify the protection and operating conditions for the exact installation. EA-OFixed lists IP65 at the front and IP54 at the rear, and the source says to confirm enclosure protection, cable connections and site conditions before commissioning. EA640H1 is rated IP31 with a working temperature range of -20 °C to +60 °C and is an indoor display only. EA500C6 indoor models are rated IP31; outdoor models offer up to IP65 front protection, and the source says to confirm front and rear protection ratings, weather exposure and installation requirements before purchase. The site test should record the installed zone and the corresponding rating.

At site, functional acceptance should cover power distribution, signal paths and camera performance. The EA640H1 source states that supply, cabling and any UPS should be sized on the maximum 300 W/m² figure, not the 100 W/m² average. For camera-facing walls, the EA500C6 source advises testing the selected screen with the cameras, shutter settings and brightness level planned for the event, and states that refresh rate alone does not guarantee band-free footage because scan configuration and camera settings also affect the result. EA640H1 at least 3,840 Hz refresh is described as suiting camera-facing and broadcast content. Site acceptance should therefore use the actual processor, source content and camera settings.

Service access belongs in site acceptance because it affects maintenance after handover. EA640H1 modules are removed from the viewing side with a vacuum service tool, so no rear service corridor is needed. EA500C6 rear cover opens for access to the power and control area. EA250H8 detachable rear power box gives technicians direct access to power and signal components. The EA-OFixed source says cabinet ventilation must be kept unobstructed. The site check should confirm the agreed service route, tools and clearance for the exact cabinet.

Evidence, pass/fail criteria and retest triggers

Write the acceptance plan before production. It should name the exact model, pitch, cabinet, module, controller, source list and installation zone, then list each check, the measurement or recording method, the pass condition and the person who approves the result. Factory evidence and site evidence should be stored against the same revision. For a mixed-pitch LED wall, the plan should list checks by pitch zone rather than one average result for the whole screen.

Pass/fail criteria should be check-specific, not a single average. Identity checks pass when model, pitch, cabinet count and module variant match the order. Performance checks pass when the documented values for the named model are met at the agreed settings. Mechanical checks pass when the delivered layout meets the agreed seam and flatness method. Power and signal checks pass when the agreed sources, switching paths and failover behaviour are demonstrated. Service checks pass when the documented access method is usable in the installed position.

Retest triggers should be agreed for any change of module, cabinet, power box, controller setting or pitch zone after the original test. The trigger should state who retests, what content is repeated and what evidence closes the issue. A blanket statement that the wall was tested once is not enough. If a factory check cannot be performed, mark it untested and agree the site method rather than recording an assumed pass.

Spare parts, calibration and handover records

Spare modules should match the exact pitch and module variant. The EA640H1 source says to order spares in the same pitch to keep brightness and colour even. The EA500C6 source states that GOB is listed on P1.56, P1.95 and P2.6, and buyers should confirm the exact model and matching spare modules in the order rather than assume GOB on every pitch. EA500C6 quote advice also asks for an itemized quote that identifies the controller, spare parts, rigging, flight cases and freight. Keep spare modules, power supplies, receiving cards and service tools on the same acceptance record.

Ask for calibration files and handover records as named lines in the quotation, not as assumed extras. The handover package should identify the settings used, the person responsible for recalibration after a module or power-box replacement, and the retest evidence that closes the replacement. If an aging test is required, make it a named line rather than assuming it is included.

A practical decision sequence for buyers

Start with the order documents, freeze the acceptance baseline, then split checks into factory and site. Factory gate: identity, performance, power, signal, service hardware and spares. Site gate: mounting, seams, power, signal, camera, service access and handover. If a check cannot be performed, mark it untested and agree the next step rather than recording a pass.

For a mixed-pitch LED wall, the factory and site gates should list checks by pitch zone, because one average result does not prove every zone. If an aging test is required, make it a named line rather than assuming it is included. Document the final configuration, including any change made during testing, and attach it to the signed result.

Retest triggers and what to confirm in writing

Buyer checklist

• Freeze model, pitch, cabinet, module, controller and source list as the acceptance baseline.
• Request factory evidence for identity, performance, power, signal and service hardware against the named model.
• Request site evidence for seams, mounting, power, signal, camera and service access.
• Confirm spare modules by exact pitch and variant; do not assume GOB on every pitch.
• Agree retest triggers and the person who approves closure.
• Ask for calibration files and handover records as named lines.

Frequently asked questions

Does a factory acceptance test replace site acceptance testing?

No. A factory result confirms the pre-shipment configuration and documented performance. Site acceptance confirms the installed mounting, cabling, seams, power, signal, camera use and service access. Our advice is to keep them as separate gates with separate evidence and approvals.

What should site acceptance test on an outdoor LED display?

For an EA-OFixed outdoor fixed board, check the installed enclosure protection against the stated IP65 front and IP54 rear ratings, keep cabinet ventilation unobstructed, and confirm enclosure protection, cable connections and site conditions before commissioning. The 960×960 mm cabinet also lists four aerofoil fans, 6.6 cubic meters per minute ventilation and 25 air circulations per minute.

What camera checks should be included in site acceptance?

For an EA500C6 wall used on camera, test the selected screen with the cameras, shutter settings and brightness level planned for the event. The source states that refresh rate alone does not guarantee band-free footage because scan configuration and camera settings also affect the result. EA640H1 at least 3,840 Hz refresh is described as suiting camera-facing and broadcast content.

Should spare modules match the exact pitch?

Yes. The EA640H1 source says to order spares in the same pitch to keep brightness and colour even. The EA500C6 source states that GOB is listed on P1.56, P1.95 and P2.6, and buyers should confirm the exact model and matching spare modules rather than assume GOB on every pitch.

What power figure should site acceptance use for an EA640H1 wall?

EA640H1 cabinets run on AC 100–240 V, 50–60 Hz. Average consumption is 100 W/m² and maximum consumption is 300 W/m² across all five pitches. The source advises sizing supply, cabling and any UPS on the maximum figure rather than the average.

What if a factory check cannot be performed?

Mark it untested, state why, and agree the site method and approver rather than recording an assumed pass. Our advice is to keep the untested item visible in the acceptance record until it is closed.

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