Wiring in Displays - Understanding the NEC & CEC canⁱ also help protect LEDs.
By George Doll (Sign Business, July 2006)

Many folks, even within our industry, look at various lighting technologies and find vast differences.   -Read more-

In our last column (SB Jan 07, pageⁱ 34) we commenced a discussion of some of the changes in power technologies for the electric sign industry and the impact electronic ballasts and power supplies have on energy consumption and lighting efficiencies for neonⁱ and fluorescent fixtures.

I was checking my e-mail last year, and I had a blurb come across my laptop screenⁱ from a neonⁱ newsgroup member giving us the heads up on the passing of Al Sklar, a very large foundation block within the neon industry and a very dear friend of mine.

Al Sklar was one person who you could always sit down and swap ideas with on safer ways to create and install neon. (Photo courtesy Kenny Greenberg)

Within the past year, you may have noticed that we’ve been devoting more attention in our electrical discussions toward the issue of energy efficiency. This has been a topic of discussion not only in the relatively new solid-state (LEDⁱ) lighting segment, but also been among luminous tubing (neonⁱ) fabricators and installers who have quietly contributed for years to energy conservation methodology.  -Read more-

In September 2004 we had begun addressing the subject of “Wet? Damp? or Dry?” in reference to electric sign installation locations. Now, before that subject passes from memory, let’s proceed on with one aspect of that topic which is a more in-depth view of wet location high voltage installations.
There are many aspects to consider when installing any piece of electrical equipment in a wet location. In the sign industry, where the specialized use of the high voltage that powers neonⁱ is an important aspect, location becomes even more critical. 

Woody’s, Golden, Colo., by Rusch Signs & Graphics, Littleton, Colo.

Many folks, even within our industry, look at various lighting technologies and find vast differences. However, in many respects these light sources, per our codes, demand the exact same treatment regarding their wiring methods. Last month, in this column we commenced tracing out our general branch circuit for any type of sign. We had put a lot of emphasis on the system’s ground and how grounded/grounding/bonding, besides being code, could prolong the lifespan and trouble-free operation of all our light systems, especially neonⁱ and Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs).  -Read more-