
IPS is a term that stands for multiple things in the electrical field. In the context of lighting parts, IPS stands for Internal Pipe Size, referring to the internal diameter of pipes used in lighting fixtures. In electrical engineering, IPS can refer to an interruptible power supply or an isolated power system. IPS is also commonly used to refer to in-plane switching, a type of LED display panel technology used in TVs, tablet computers, and smartphones.
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What You'll Learn

IPS can stand for 'in-plane switching' in electrical engineering
IPS stands for in-plane switching, a screen technology for liquid-crystal displays (LCDs). In-plane switching was developed to address the limitations of twisted nematic (TN) TFT displays, which had issues with colour and viewing angle. In-plane switching improves viewing angles and colour accuracy by aligning liquid crystal molecules horizontally to the screen and applying a lateral electric field. This allows the crystals to move more freely and maintain a parallel position to the glass substrate of the screen.
IPS panels are widely used in TVs, tablet computers, and smartphones. They offer consistent, accurate colour reproduction from all viewing angles, making them ideal for artists, photographers, and video editors. IPS panels also provide faster response times than vertical alignment (VA) type displays, making them popular among gamers. Additionally, IPS displays deliver razor-sharp images without reflections and have a wide viewing range.
However, IPS panels have some drawbacks. They typically have lower contrast than VA displays and are more expensive than TN panels. IPS technology also consumes more power than other display technologies, which can impact battery life in mobile devices.
IPS has gone through several advancements since its introduction, including Super IPS, Advanced Super IPS, and IPS-Pro. These improvements addressed issues such as colour shift and power consumption. IPS-Pro, for example, uses transparent electrodes, reducing the power required for backlighting.
In summary, IPS, or in-plane switching, is a significant refinement in LCD technology, offering improved viewing angles, colour accuracy, and response times. While it has some limitations, IPS remains a popular choice for displays in various devices, especially those requiring wide viewing angles and high-quality visuals.
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IPS can refer to an isolated power system in electrical engineering
IPS stands for 'isolated power system', a type of power supply commonly used in hospitals and healthcare settings, specifically in operating theatres. The critical function of an IPS is to prevent macro shocks from electrical equipment used in medical procedures. Given the sensitive nature of such procedures, IPS systems are typically fed by uninterruptible power supplies (UPS).
IPS, in an electrical context, can also refer to 'interruptible power supply'. However, this term is less commonly used, as any power source without a backup can be considered interruptible. That is, they can be turned off with a switch or by pulling the plug.
In electrical engineering, the acronym IPS has also been associated with 'internal pipe size', referring to the internal diameter of pipes used in lighting fixtures. This term originated in the 19th century when lighting fixtures were supplied with natural gas as energy. The internal diameter of the pipes directly impacted the amount of gas that could flow through.
In modern electrical engineering, IPS is more commonly associated with 'isolated power systems' and, less frequently, 'interruptible power supply'.
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IPS is used in LCDs (liquid-crystal displays)
IPS stands for in-plane switching, a screen technology for liquid-crystal displays (LCDs). In IPS panels, a layer of liquid crystals is sandwiched between two glass surfaces. The liquid crystal molecules are aligned parallel to these surfaces in predetermined directions (in-plane). An applied electric field reorients the molecules while keeping them essentially parallel to the surfaces to form an image.
IPS panels offer consistent, accurate colour reproduction from all viewing angles. They do not lighten or show tailing when touched, making them ideal for touch-screen devices such as smartphones and tablet computers. IPS panels provide clear, sharp images without reflections, a wide viewing range, stable response times, and better colouring.
IPS technology is widely used in panels for TVs, tablet computers, and smartphones. Most IBM products marketed as Flexview from 2004 to 2008 have IPS LCDs with CCFL backlighting. All Apple Inc. products marketed with the label Retina Display feature IPS LCDs with LED backlighting since 2010.
In the mid-1990s, IPS and vertical alignment (VA) technologies were developed to address the limitations of twisted nematic (TN) matrix LCDs, including their viewing angle dependence and low-quality colour reproduction. IPS panels have since replaced TN LCDs in many applications, particularly in smartphones.
IPS panels have some drawbacks, such as slower response times and higher power requirements compared to TN panels. They are also more expensive to produce and can be vulnerable to defects like backlight bleeding. However, IPS remains a popular choice for users seeking consistent, high-quality visuals across a range of tasks.
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IPS is used in monitors and screens
IPS stands for 'in-plane switching' and is a screen technology for liquid-crystal displays (LCDs). It was developed in the mid-1990s to address the limitations of the twisted nematic field effect (TN) matrix LCDs that were commonly used in the late 1980s and early 1990s. These early LCD panels displayed grayscale inversion and had high response times.
IPS panels feature a layer of liquid crystals sandwiched between two glass surfaces. The liquid crystal molecules are aligned parallel to these surfaces and can be reoriented by an applied electric field, allowing for precise control over the amount of light passing through the display. This results in superior colour accuracy, richer colours, and enhanced visibility from multiple angles.
IPS panels are widely used in monitors and screens for TVs, tablet computers, and smartphones. They offer consistent, high-quality visuals with wide viewing angles, making them a popular choice for creative professionals such as photographers, graphic designers, and media producers. IPS panels also have touch-screen capabilities, making them ideal for smartphones and tablet computers.
While IPS panels provide excellent colour accuracy and viewing angles, they typically have lower contrast ratios compared to other panel technologies like VA (Vertical Alignment) or OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode). IPS panels may also be more expensive and require up to 15% more power than other panel types. Despite these drawbacks, IPS remains a popular choice for monitors and screens due to its versatility and high image quality.
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IPS is used in lighting parts
IPS stands for Iron Pipe Size, which is a standard for pipe sizing that came into being in the 19th century when lighting fixtures were supplied with natural gas as energy. The tubes were specified by their internal diameter, which directly impacted the amount of gas that could flow through the pipe. IPS is used in lighting parts to indicate the thread size. For example, 1/8 IPS is commonly used on table lamps and has a diameter of 3/8, while 1/4 IPS is commonly used on floor lamps and has a diameter of 1/2.
IPS can also refer to an 'isolated power system', which is commonly used in hospitals to prevent macro shocks from electrical equipment used in operating theatres. These systems are typically fed by uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) due to the critical nature of their use. Sockets connected to an IPS are usually blue and engraved with "For Medical Equipment Only".
In electrical engineering, IPS is also associated with "in-plane switching", a screen technology for liquid-crystal displays (LCDs). IPS LCDs offer consistent and accurate colour reproduction from all viewing angles, making them ideal for devices like smartphones and tablet computers. They also provide clear and sharp images without reflections, wide viewing ranges, stable response times, and improved colour quality.
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Frequently asked questions
IPS stands for 'isolated power system', which is used in hospitals to prevent electrical shocks from equipment in operating theatres.
IPS stands for 'in-plane switching', a type of LED display panel technology.
IPS panels have better colour accuracy and viewing angles than TN panels, but TN panels are faster and more responsive.
The term IPS originally stood for 'Internal Pipe Size' in the 19th century, when lighting fixtures were supplied with natural gas.











































