What is neon?
Neon is the chemical element in the periodic table that has the symbol Ne and atomic number 10. A colorless nearly inert noble gas, neon gives a distinct reddish glow when used in vacuum discharge tubes and neon lamps and is found in air in trace amounts.
(1) a colorless inert gaseous element comprising 0.0012 percent of normal
air;
(2) a fluorescent, a color of ink or dye that is especially bright. A
High illuminated visual effect.
- (Symbol Ne.) An inert gas that is the second member of the noble gas
family, atomic number 10, atomic weight 20.183. It is a colorless, odorless,
monatomic element found in the atmosphere to the extent of about 0.0018%
by volume of dry air.
- Neon is the tenth element on the periodic table, and it is the first
of the noble gases to have a full 8-electron orbital. Neon produces a
reddish color on "neon" lights, and is completely inert, so
it has no electronegativity. At STP, neon is gaseous and has a density
of 0.900 g/L. Ne melts at 24.55 K and boils at 27.10 K. The atomic mass
of Ne is 20.1797
- An inert element from Group O of the periodic table of chemical elements.
Exists as a gas at normal temperatures and pressures. When ionized by
current passing through it, as in neon signs, bulbs, pilot lights, test
probes, etc, it produces a bright orange-red glow.
- A colorless odorless gaseous element that give a red glow in a vacuum
tube; one of the six inert gasses; occurs in the air in small amounts
Neon: The facts
Neon lights come in many vibrant colors. Minerals that exhibit florescence when illuminated are used to coat the inside of glass tubing. Color pigment may also be embedded in the glass itself. "Fill" gases such as Argon, Neon, and Helium are used inside of a vacuumed tube with electrodes placed on each end for the introduction of electricity to achieve color and illumination.
Neon Gas produces a brilliant red glow when illuminated. Argon and helium
are combined to produce a dim blue light. Argon and helium serve as a
carrier for minuscule amounts of Mercury added to evoke the brilliant
glow found in fluorescent lighting. These factors are combined to achieve
brilliance in neon color and design.
Argon is colourless and odourless. Argon is very inert and is not known
to form true chemical compounds. It makes a good atmosphere for working
with air-sensitive materials since it is heavier than air and less reactive
than Neon.
Electrodes
Every neon tube has two electrodes welded to it, one at each end. Electrical current enters the tube through the electrode, which has a small, thimble-like cup. In turn, each of the wires attached to the electrode is connected to GTO cables leading from a transformer. This is a high voltage connection, but it is covered by insulative rubber sleeves to ensure that users are not shocked and that products can be safely handled.
Installation
For a good neon sign to be a great neon sign, it must be correctly installed. At Neonic Signs, we’re just as meticulous about our installations as we are about our manufacturing. All installations are carried out by well-equipped professionals who work strictly to OHS guidelines, and we provide every client with regular updates on our progress as we go. Down the track the neon sign can fail if not installed correctly so it’s not worth going for a cheap price because it’s going to land up costing you more down the track.
Maintenance and repairs
Neonic Signs manufactures all signage in-house, which means that we can maintain and/or repair your sign without having to freight it back and forth. This service quality can be found in every process in our business, because we believe in establishing standards and going beyond the call of duty to uphold them. Neon does require maintenance, the tubes need to be cleaned every few years depending on the location of the sign.
Interesting points to note about Neon advertising.
Why is neon so bright ? The neon "works" essentially in another way. First, light source is shone gas, and secondly, instead of an optical filter, which passes light of the certain site of a spectrum (and the others absorbs), - color luminiphores, which owing to their excitation by a ultraviolet, become a source of radiation, besides equally effective spectrum in all sites. Cleanliness of light spectrum, or juiciness of color, also provides in neon installations incommensurably more powerful visual result.
In neon lamps there are no strings calefaction, as in usual bulbs which in due course fuse. There are no heats. Heating has flown down in usual or halogen lamps and its sharp cooling is the reason of failure. If installation of neon lamps has been made according to existing requirements and rules of installation it will serve long.
