How does neon produce light

Most modern signs come equipped with a v transformer and use about the same amount of electricity as a single domestic light bulb 60W—W. Most neon signs are expected to last between eight and 15 years, although many continue to function for much longer than that.

Leaving a sign switched on for prolonged periods can shorten its lifespan, and leave it at risk of overheating or sustaining damage from electrical surges. All neon signs must conform to BS EN, a British Standard that dictates how luminous discharge tube installations such as neon lights must be manufactured.

Neon signs must also meet the requirements of the IET Wiring regulations, another British Standard known as BS that sets out specifications for how these types of electrical installations should be wired. Before you buy a sign, always check that it has been stickered and marked to show that it complies with the necessary standards. Businesses have a legal duty to carry out fire-safety risk assessments regularly and take measures to limit any risks as much as possible.

A neon sign would be checked as part of any assessment but likely deemed to carry little risk in terms of potentially causing a fire. Below, we look at the differences between neon and LED, and compare the pros and cons of both types of lighting.

Where neon relies on a chemical reaction between gases and an electrical current, with LEDs light emitting diodes, in full the reaction occurs when electrons pass through a semiconductor, which is typically a material known as aluminium-gallium-arsenide. When used in signs, the LEDs are placed in close proximity to each other so they produce a steady source of light similar to the effect of neon gas glowing inside a glass tube.

For the best experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser. Neon signs—how they work, how they perform and are there alternatives? On this page, we explore some of the technical aspects of neon signs, including: how traditional neon works how flexible they are in terms of functionality—can it change colour, or dim?

Quick links: How do neon signs work? Changing colour Dimming Are there issues with how neon signs perform? Do they burn out? Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. Share Flipboard Email. Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph. Chemistry Expert. Helmenstine holds a Ph.

She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels. Facebook Facebook Twitter Twitter. Updated October 06, Key Takeaways: Neon Lights A neon light contains a tiny amount of neon gas under low pressure. Electricity provides energy to strip electrons away from neon atoms, ionizing them. Ions are attracted to terminals of the lamp, completing the electric circuit. Light is produced when neon atoms gain enough energy to become excited.

When an atom returns to a lower energy state, it releases a photon light. Featured Video. Cite this Article Format. Many neon lights are handmade. To make them bend, they have to be heated carefully in exactly the right place. Otherwise they crack. Blue neon lights are made by adding a small amount of mercury vapor gas to argon. Read this till the end to find out. If you have a neon sign then you must know that it consists of glass tubes. These tubes are filled with a small amount of neon gas.

Neon is used because it is a noble gas which is an un-reactive compound. There is an electrode at both ends of the tube. A neon light works using either AC or DC current. However, if DC current is used, the glow can only be seen around one electrode. That is the reason why most of the neon signs use AC current.

When an electric current is applied to the terminals, there is enough energy to remove an outer electron from the neon atoms. If there is not enough voltage then there will be not enough kinetic energy for the electrons to escape their atoms and nothing will happen. While the positively charged neon atoms are attracted to the negative terminal and the free electrons are attracted to the positive terminal.

These charged particles are called plasma which completes the circuit of the lights.