Independent TMT LED knowledge base. Not affiliated with or operated by TMT LEDs. About this site
TMT LED Wikiindependent
TR

Module Spacing and Depth

Updated

Two TMT datasheets include a “Density Guide” that relates the depth of a sign to how far apart modules should be placed. The tables below are copied as printed in those datasheets. They are TMT’s published figures for these two products only; they should not be applied to other modules, and they are not independent test results. The usa.tmtleds.com “Density Guidelines” and “Application Guide” pages had no content on the research date (Density Guidelines; Application Guide).

How to read the tables

Both datasheets define the columns the same way (US Midi 4 datasheet; US Mini 2 datasheet):

  • X – distance from the edges of the sign
  • Y – centre-to-centre (C2C) spacing between adjacent modules in a row
  • Z – spacing between rows of modules

All values are in inches, as printed.

Midi 4 (TMT 4) density guide

Source: page 3 of the US Midi 4 datasheet (“Density Guide, Game Changer, TDS-TMT 4 (Midi 4)”) (US Midi 4 datasheet).

Optimal Brightness Option

Depth X (From Edges) Y (C2C) Z (Row Spacing)
2” 3” 6” 6”
3” 5” 10” 10”
4” 6” 12” 12”
5” 6” 12” 12”
6” 6” 12” 12”
7” 6” 12” 12”
8” 6” 12” 12”

Relative Brightness Option

Depth X (From Edges) Y (C2C) Z (Row Spacing)
2” 3” 6” 6”
3” 5” 10” 10”
4” 6” 12” 12”
5” 7” 12” 14”
6” 9” 12” 18”
7” 10” 12” 20”
8” 12” 12” 24”

The same datasheet recommends Midi 4 for channel letters 3”–6” deep and for cabinets with installation depths of 2” to 10” from the sign face (US Midi 4 datasheet). The datasheet does not define the difference between the “Optimal” and “Relative” options beyond the table values (US Midi 4 datasheet).

Mini 2 (TMT 2) density guide

Source: page 3 of the US Mini 2 datasheet (“Density Guide, Game Changer, TDS-TMT 2 (Mini 2)”; application: small and medium channel letters) (US Mini 2 datasheet).

Optimal Brightness Option

Depth X (From Edges) Y (C2C) Z (Row Spacing)
2” 1.5” 3” 3”
3” 2” 4.5” 4.5”
4” 3” 6” 6”
5” 4” 7.5” 7.5”
6” 4.5” 9” 9”
7” 5” 10.5” 10.5”
8” 6” 12” 12”

The same datasheet recommends Mini 2 for 2”–6” deep channel letters and capsules (US Mini 2 datasheet). Older Mini 2 datasheets on tmtledsusa.com and tmtleds.com use a different chart that marks depths as optimal or acceptable: Mini 2 optimal at 2”–4” and acceptable at 5”; Mini 2 HO optimal at 3”–5” and acceptable at 6”–10+” (tmtledsusa.com Mini 2 datasheet; global Mini 2 datasheet).

Layout spacing vs chain spacing

The Y values in these tables vary with depth, while the modules are supplied on chains at a fixed standard spacing, for example 12” for Midi 4 and 5.91” for Mini 2 on the US pages (usa.tmtleds.com Midi 4; usa.tmtleds.com Mini 2). TMT describes its Cable Hiding design as letting installers shorten the gap between modules (tmtleds.com Technology).

Other depth statements in TMT datasheets

Product Statement Source
Midi 4 (global) depths of 7.5 cm to 20 cm; 5 cm to 25 cm from sign face; stroke is 3x the depth of sign global Midi 4 datasheet
Midi 3 (US) letters 2”–6” deep; cabinets 2” to 6” from sign face Midi 3 datasheet
Midi 3 (global) 5 cm–15 cm; 5 cm to 15 cm from sign face global Midi 3 datasheet
Midi Edge (US) cabinets from 3” deep; “4’’ Depth 7’ Across”; C2C 7” US Midi Edge datasheet
Midi Edge (global) cabinets from 7.5 cm deep global Midi Edge datasheet

See also Channel letters and Sign cabinets.

Sources