How Neon Signs Are Made
The process of making a neon sign involves using a transformer to convert the 120 volts from the electrical lines to the 15,000 volts needed for the sign. A transformer usually has a current rating of 30-60 milliampers. Then, it connects to the electrodes in the sign, using a special wire called GTO wire. The special wire has a 7,500 volt insulator and is used to connect illuminated tubing in series. The end of the tube is attached to a spring connection, which keeps air flowing.
The glass tubing used for neon signs is made from soft lead glass and is flexible and pliable. It is usually 0.3 to 1 inches in diameter and can be bent to a variety of shapes. The overall length of the tube is usually between four to five feet. The illuminated tubing contains electrodes made of very pure iron. The tube is then sealed up at one end and the open end protrudes from the sign. The electrical current passing through the tubes causes the tube to glow in a bluish-green hue.
The glass tubing for a neon sign is made of a soft lead glass, and can be bent or formed to fit the space. The diameter of the tubing will determine the size and shape of the sign. The overall length will dictate the number of LEDs needed to power the sign. The smaller the diameter of the tubing, the brighter the light from a neon sign. Ultimately, the tube must be mounted to a backing panel to protect it.
The glass tubing used for a neon sign is composed of soft lead glass and is often cut into shape. The diameter of the tube is dependent on the size of the sign. The minimum radius of bend and overall length of the neon sign's transformer are other factors that determine its size. While the larger the diameter of the tube, the brighter the light, the more power is needed to maintain a bright glow. However, manufacturers of neon signs still rely on a manual process for manufacturing. This involves cutting, bending, and attaching electrodes to the tube.
The concept of a neon sign was born from scientific experiments, which had been conducted in France and Germany before the age of electricity. A gas that contained mercury or other gases could produce a faint glow, which was then used to illuminate a glass tube. A gas that contains carbon dioxide would have the same effect on the light of a neon sign. Its composition is the key to its success. This technique is the only way to create a neon sign.
The theory behind the technology of neon signs dates back to 1675. In the early 18th century, a French astronomer named Jean Picard observed a faint glow coming from a mercury barometer tube. He hypothesized that the light was caused by barometric light. Although this idea was not immediately understood, the phenomenon was later explored further, and other forms of lighting were developed. The first neon signs were powered by batteries.
Modern-day neon signs are made of different materials. Usually, acrylic tubes are made from opal acrylic and are finished with vinyl edging. The LEDs are usually made of aluminium-gallium-arsenide and are installed in close proximity inside the acrylic tube. The LEDs are mounted on the backing panel, which can be made of steel or polycarbonate. The light produced by a neon sign comes from the chemical reaction of the gas inside the glass tube.
The technology behind a neon sign is simple, and its development is closely linked to scientific experiments. In 1856, Heinrich Geissler invented the first working model of a neon sign by passing an electric current through a low-pressure gas. The resulting light is called a neon lamp. In order to achieve this effect, the gas in the tube must be charged with electricity. The electricity generated by the LEDs is converted into heat.
The most common type of neon signs are made from opal acrylic. They are cut to fit the space they are mounted in. The dimensions of the neon signs are determined by the diameter of the tubing, the radius of the tubing, and the length of the transformer. Usually, the smaller the diameter, the brighter the light. But the larger the diameter, the higher the amount of electricity the neon sign requires. Aside from the design, the material for a neon sign depends on its material.