LED Neon Sign Maintenance – 12 Easy Steps
12 December 2024
From the cosmic confines to the heart of bustling cities, the radiant touch of Neon has left an indelible impression on our World. Neon, which is derived from the Greek word Neos, has a vibrant glow when used in a neon sign and under an electrical current – Neon has become a beacon of modernity. Let’s dive deep into some dazzling facts about this captivating element.
Neon is a noble gas (inert gas) that graced our World towards the end of the 19th century, in the year 1898, to be precise. Its discovery can be credited to two British scientists, Sir William Ramsay and Morris W. Travers, at University College London. Their innovative approach involved cooling air into a liquid form, creating liquid air, and then gradually warming it to collect the gases that vaporized. This experimental endeavor resulted in the revelation of three new gases: krypton, Neon, and xenon. However, Neon, found between helium and argon, stole the limelight.
Our starry skies hold a cosmic secret – they are the celestial factories of Neon. Neon gas is forged during the alpha process in stars when helium and oxygen undergo fusion. Yet, it mandates a star with a mass at least eight times that of our sun to give birth to neon gas. So, when you gaze at the stars, remember: you are looking at Neon’s birthplace.
The year 1902 marked a significant milestone in the lighting world, all thanks to a French engineer named Georges Claude. Ingenious in his approach, Claude created the first neon light tubes by passing an electric current through the leftover Neon from his air liquefaction firm. His groundbreaking invention saw the light of the day at the 1910 Paris Motor Show. Although neon lighting didn’t catch on in household use, neon signs quickly gained popularity in advertising businesses due to their bright lights. Today, it’s hard to picture our cityscapes without Neon’s hypnotic glow – think of the Las Vegas strip with its vibrant, glowing signs!
Noble gases conduct electricity, which is exploited with neon advertising signs. A sealed glass tube, with a metal electrode at each end, is filled with Neon (ne, chemical element). An electrical current is passed through the electrode at one end, and the current reacts with the Neon, creating the reddish-orange glow that neon signs have made famous.
Contrary to what the spectrum of neon signs might suggest, an authentic neon sign glows reddish-orange. Other colors are the handiwork of different noble gases present in the glass tubing or colored fluorescent lighting. So, remember: if it’s not reddish-orange, it’s not genuine Neon. LED Neon, on the other hand, has a far wider range of colors.
Neon’s unique characteristics lend it versatility, which finds application in many uses. From television sets and use in cooling lasers to vacuum tubes and lightning arrestors, Neon is present in various aspects of our everyday lives. It’s surprising to know that an average American household contains nearly 10 liters of neon gas.
One of the Neon’s most intriguing attributes is its capacity to cut through fog. Unlike other lights that can become obscured, Neon stands tall. This trait proves particularly useful in airports, where neon lights guide aircraft during foggy conditions.
Despite its cosmic abundance, Neon is a precious commodity here on Earth. Its scarcity in our atmosphere and the expenditure involved in its extraction make Neon more than 55 times pricier than liquid helium.
Neon, despite its allure, isn’t entirely innocuous. Exposure to this gas can cause frostbite, and inhaling it excessively can lead to suffocation. While the enchanting glow of neon lights can captivate us, it’s wiser to leave the handling of this element to experts.
Neon has a cooling capacity of three times that of liquid hydrogen and 40 times that of liquid helium. It has established itself as a valuable cryogenic refrigerant. Neon is utilized in cryonics, a process involving freezing corpses in anticipation of future medical advancements capable of reviving them.
Neon belongs to the noble gases group, sharing the stage with other noble gases, such as helium, krypton, xenon, and argon. These elements are renowned for their stability and unreactivity, courtesy of their complete outer electron shells. With its 10 electrons, Neon is the second lightest among its noble gas counterparts. Neon has the name ne on the periodic table (which is its chemical element identifier).
Since 1902, Neon has maintained that it is still one of the most important gases on Earth and in use by humans. The vibrant glow is a symbol of progress in human society. Be it in the form of eye-catching billboard advertisements or scientific advancements, the legacy of Neon still remains.
One thing is crystal clear: neon’s journey is far from finished. Its distinctive properties continue to fuel new innovations and applications. The future of Neon doesn’t just lie in gas neon signs; it has evolved to LED neon signs.
At Neon By Design, we channel Neon’s vibrant, inventive, and innovative spirit to our customers. Our dedication to design and customization ensures that each of our faux Neon or LED neon signs uniquely reflects our customers’ vision. Whether you aim to make a bold statement or add a dash of retro-futuristic charm to your space, we’re here to light the way.
Christopher is our main author, with over 10 years working with businesses and consulting online. Christopher has a deep understanding of LED lights, LED neon flex, and neon signs and how they can be best used to help business, home, and event decor.
Neon By Design is America’s best LED neon sign maker that focuses on custom LED neon signs for business, home and event décor.
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