United Colors Of Neon – Neon Lighting

Would you believe that the concept of the neon sign was first conceived in 1675? It was the French astronomer Jean Picard, who observed a faint glow inside a mercury barometer tube after it was shaken. The cause of the light wasn’t understood then although it was actually caused by static electricity.

Upon the discovery of the principles of electricity, it was then that scientist started inventing various forms of lighting and among these is neon lighting. It was in 1902 when French engineer, chemist, and inventor Georges Claude did an experiment of sealing in a tube “neon gas” to create a lamp. “Neos” is a Greek word that means “the new gas”. The first neon lamp made its public appearance on December 11, 1910 and by 1923, neon gas signs were introduced in the United States by Claude and his French company Claude Neon.

Two neon gas signs that read “Packard” were purchased by Earle C. Anthony for $24,000 and this became paramount to the popularity of neon lighting fixtures in outdoor advertising. Visible even in daylight, people stopped to stare at the first neon signs which were dubbed as “liquid fire.”

That same principle is being applied today for neon lighting. Hollow glass tubes that usually measure 4,5, or 8 feet and at diameters 9mm, 10mm, 12mm, and 15mm, are being shaped by heating. In order to achieve curves of the glass, the artisan needs approximately 1,600’F to 2,200’F of heat and a temperature of approximately 3,000’F for the air-gas using propane gas. Red is the color neon gas produces at atmospheric pressure, although, right now there are more than 150 colors possible by using other elements like argon, mercury and phosphor.

If correctly installed, neon lighting fixtures can last 12 to 15 years while its neon ballast, up to 10 years. This minimized or even eliminates the tedious job of re-lamping to locations that are hard to reach. Neon lighting, as compared to other lighting fixtures, can be set and is especially excellent for sharp and tight spaces. Also, neon lighting saves you from spending on extra ballasts and dimmers as it can be dimmed to as low as 40 – 60%.

Today, with the use of LED (light emitted diodes) neon signs are now cost-effective and low-voltage. You can now use neon lighting on a 240V power source. It would consume only 2.88watts of electricity per foot.