Glossary A–ZLetter R
Rated operating hours
The rated operating hours on a data sheet state for how many hours a day and days a week the manufacturer designs a display.
16/7 means up to 16 hours a day, seven days a week; 24/7 means continuous operation around the clock.
The figure helps with selection: a screen in a shop open for twelve hours manages with 16/7 if it is switched off outside opening hours. A screen on a station platform, in a control room or in a shop window lit at night, however, needs a 24/7 rating. Displays for continuous operation are usually designed for heat dissipation and long running times.
Rated operating hours are a manufacturer's statement, not a test standard. What applies if a device runs longer than stated is set out in the manufacturer's warranty terms, which operators should read before buying. A television for home use is generally not intended for continuous commercial operation. Automatic on and off times help keep the actual running time within the intended limits.