Neon Lighting: How It Works, Why It Lasts, and How to Keep It Glowing

• Neon lighting is a timeless and iconic form of illumination

• For over a century, neon has had a glowing presence in signage, art, interior design and commercial branding

• This post will be talking about real neon lighting made from glass - NOT its LED copycats

• What will be explored: how it works, benefits, common issues and care tips

What Is Neon Lighting?

• Neon lighting is a form of illumination that is created by filling a glass tube with a noble gas (such as neon or argon) and igniting that gas with an electric current resulting in the unmistakeable neon glow that we know and love

• Each neon tube is handcrafted, custom shaped and vibrant in a way that is unparalleled in the world of illumination

• Many signage businesses have tried mimicking the unique aesthetic of real neon with "LED flex", which is often referred to as "LED neon". These are made of plastic and are NOT neon

• Real neon, ever since it's invention in 1910, has had widespread use in retail, hospitality, galleries and other creative spaces

How Neon Lighting Works

• When electricity is applied to a neon tube, the atoms of the gas inside are excited and their electrons are given extra energy. They then release that energy in the form of light. Neon atoms glow in their unmistakable red/orange colour. But what if you want a tube filled with neon gas to glow a different colour? The inside of many neon tubes are lined with a phosphor coating that absorbs the invisible ultraviolet light of the electrified gas and then re-emits it as visible light. The colour of the light emitted depends on the chemical makeup of the phosphor coating.

• Each neon tube has an electrode joined to each end. Electrodes are what allows electricity to enter the tube. Additionally, the electricity supplied is run through a neon transformer, which converts low voltage electricity to the high voltage electricity that a neon tube needs to run.

• All neon signs are fitted with an OCM (open circuit monitor) that stop the neon from drawing power if anything were to break or malfunction.

What Makes Neon Lighting Different from Other Options

• Real neon has a warmth and depth that other forms of illumination cannot match. Every real neon sign is a work of art that evokes a sense of wonder whereas other forms of illuminated signage are seen only for their utility. LED flex isn't just poorly made, it can't compete with the aethetic of neon simply because of what it is made of. Plastic is plastic. It looks cheap because it IS cheap.

• Real neon is also the more durable option compared to LED flex. It's glow will remain bright for decades whereas LEDs will fizzle and fade in a matter of years.

• Real neon has REAL artistic value; an emphasis on craftsmanship adds a level of prestige to each and every neon piece that render LEDs flat and sterile in comparison. To a glassbender, assembling an LED "neon" sign is like assembling an IKEA chair. Real neon is also known for evoking a sense of nostalgia. Just like with vinyl records, many people have realised that the "old" way of doing things was always cooler.

• Just because neon sign making is an older practice does not mean that it is an unsustainable one. In fact, the opposite is the case when compared to its signage contemporaries. Real neon is made of recyclable glass while LED flex is made of unrecyclable plastics; the same plastics we find piling up in landfill and polluting our oceans.

Common Neon Lighting Issues and What Causes Them

• Dimming or fading: The most common culprit that causes fading throughout a neon tube is the mercury. If an argon neon tube gets too cold, the mercury inside can start condensing, which results in parts of the tube looking faded. Usually this can be fixed by just waiting for the mercury to be re-vapourised, however if that doesn't work, removing the faded tube and rolling the mercury to either of the electrodes will fix it.

• Flickering: Flickering can occur for a lot of reasons. We have listed a few here:

  - Transformer has reached the end of its life and must be replaced

  - Faulty wiring

  - Electrical interference

  - Other installation mistakes

• Broken tubes: Resulting from impact or stress

• ALL of these are fixable in the hands of a real neon expert

  
  
  
  

Repairing Neon Lighting: What's Possible

• Reparing a neon sign involves repairing or remaking broken neon sections, replacing a transformer that has reached the end of its life or replacing other bits of componentry that have degraded, such as cables or standoffs.

• ALL neon signs can be repaired and restored, even vintage ones.

• A neon glassbender is able to effectively match the exact shape a neon tube was before it broke as if it never broke in the first place.

FAQs About Neon Lighting

• How long does neon lighting last?

  A neon tube that is used regularly will last 20-25 years.

• Can neon lights be used outdoors?

  Yes, as long as it has been installed in such a way that moisture cannot build up anywhere and has been installed with a waterproof transformer.

• Is neon lighting safe?

  Neon lighting is safe as long as it is being installed and handled by someone who knows what they are doing. If a neon sign doesn't have a protective cover it should be installed above shoulder height so as to avoid anyone making physical contact with it. Furthermore, all high tension wiring should be encased in conduit and electrodes should be protected by rubber sleeves. As stated previously in this post, all neon signs are fitted with an OCM (open circuit monitor) that stop the neon from drawing power if anything were to break or malfunction.

Final Thoughts: Invest in Light That Lasts

• Neon lighting has an unmistakably unique beauty. It is as visually stunning as it is reliable

• We at Australian Neon Services urge you to choose real neon for its umatched glow and the adept craftsmanship behind it

• If you have an interest, please contact us and we can help you explore custom designs or schedule a repair

Understanding Neon Tubes: How They Work, Why They Matter, and How to Repair Them

• Neon tubes are THE core component of real neon lighting

• Many people see their iconic glow daily without understanding what goes into making them

• Behind each glass neon tube is a very specialised craft

• This post will cover what neon tubes are, how they function, and how they can be repaired

What Are Neon Tubes?

• Neon tubes are glass tubes that are hand-shaped over a flame by a glassbending specialist and filled with gases such as neon or argon

• Most often these tubes are bent to form words or letters or other shapes as if on a 2 dimensional plain, however there are occasions when you may find neon pieces that break into the 3rd dimension

• Neon tubes are used in signage, art, decor, and commercial lighting

• Neon's iconic glow has been part of the fabric of cultural life in many major cities for over a century. It's beauty and impact is unparalleled in the world of illumination.

How Neon Tubes Work: The Science Behind the Glow

• A neon electrode is joined to either end of a glass neon tube, which allows an electric current to run through it. The electricity then passes through the gas molecules, producing light through a process called gas discharge

• Different gas glows different colours; neon glows a bright red/orange while argon glows a dull violet. To make further alterations to colours, coloured glass can be used as well as fluorescent powder that lines the inside of the tube.

• A transformer is required to create enough voltage to ignite the gas inside the tubes.

Real Neon vs LED Imitation: Tube Differences

• Real neon uses glass tubes, while LED neon uses plastic casings made from extruded petrochemicals

• Real neon is longer-lasting, brighter and more energy efficient than LEDs

• A real neon sign is made up of individual tubes that can be replaced should they break or malfunction without having to replace the whole sign. LED "neon" signs on the other hand will degrade as a whole even if one part begins to fail, meaning that a whole new sign will be needed to replace it.

Common Issues With Neon Tubes

• Tube breakage or cracks: Often caused by impact, stress over time or exposure to the elements

• Fading: Most commonly due to mercury within the tube solidifying. Can be solved easily by rolling the mercury to either of the electrodes.

• Excessive buzzing or flickering: Usually related to a faulty transformer or poor wiring

How Neon Tubes Are Repaired or Replaced

• If a neon tube is broken or appears to not be functioning it will be removed to be worked on by a glassbender. If the tube is in good enough condition, it can be rejoined and pumped with new gas to glow as if new. Otherwise the broken piece can be traced and remade from an entirely new tube of glass.

• A broken section of a sign can be repaired or replaced without needing to do so to the whole sign. In fact, a sign can still be made to glow while the missing pieces are being serviced

• A glassbender will be able to figure out how to best recreate the shape of a broken neon tube by tracing it's outline or by using their intuitive eye for design. Remnants of a broken piece of neon can also be used to figure out what colour it shone before it broke

• A neon glassbending expert is absolutely necessary when it comes to anything neon; anyone else simply won't know where to start

FAQs About Neon Tubes

• Can any color be made with neon tubes?

  Functionally, yes! Combining different gases, colours of glass and fluorescent powder can make all sorts of colours.

• Are neon tubes safe?

  If installed correctly, yes. High tension cables (cables that connect the transformer to the neon tubes) should be encased in conduit and electrodes should be kept covered by rubber sleeves to prevent human contact with live electricity

• Can I reuse old neon tubes in a new design?

  Of course, however it is not possible to bend a tube that has already been filled with gas and sealed under vacuum.

Final Thoughts: The Art and Engineering of Neon Tubes

• A real neon tube is a marvel of science and dexterous crafstmanship

• Next time your eyes are captivated by the glow of neon, have a think about what has gone into making it the way it is

• Furthermore, if you own a business or are running an art project and need something that stands out bright and magnificent and will stand the test of time, don't hestitate to get in contact with Australian Neon Services!

Yes, Real Neon Can Be Repaired: What You Need to Know About Neon Light Repairs

• In the current climate of illuminated signage, there is a common misconception that once a real neon sign is broken it cannot be repaired

• This confusion has arisen out of the conflation of LED neon and real neon.

• Real neon signs and artwork ARE repairable and often fully restorable

• This post will cover how real neon is repaired

What Makes Real Neon Repairable?

• A real neon sign or artpiece consists of one or more glass tubes with noble gases inserted into them. A neon sign transformer is fitted somewhere nearby and supplies the sign with enough electricity for the gases within the tube to glow.

• Because a real neon sign is made up of a variety of components, if something breaks or malfunctions it can be repaired or replaced without having to dispose of the whole sign

• LEDs on the other hand are made up of long strips of lights that are connected, meaning that if there is any internal damage, the whole strip will likely have to be discarded into landfill and replaced.

• Real neon, despite being made of fragile glass, is surprisingly robust and resilient, if maintained correctly. Assuming that the components are installed correctly and aren't in danger of being broken by external means, a neon sign can last indefinitely

The Common Myth: Neon Can't Be Fixed

• LED neon companies have risen to dominate the illuminated signage industry and part of this has been their attempts to create misinformation surrounding the supposed disposable nature of the traditional neon they are seeking to replicate.

• Real neon not only outlasts LEDs but can be repaired multiple times over the course of decades. There are many examples of neon signs that were originally installed generations ago being maintained to remain aglow into the future, both worldwide as well as in and around Melbourne.

• One such example is the Oval Motel sign in Bendigo, Victoria. This sign was first put up in the 1960s and our team at Australian Neon Services have recently been tasked with maintaining it. The sign not only looks much as it was when it was first installed (thanks to the fact that we only had to replace what was broken) it will continue to do so many years into the future.

Oval Motel sign, repaired in 2023

Typical Neon Repairs and What They Involve

• Sometimes, a broken tube of glass can simply be joined back together and pumped with new gas to shine as if new. Other times, if the breakage is too severe or if the glass is old enough to warrant replacement, a whole new tube of glass will be bent into the shape of the old one.

• If a real neon sign is malfunctioning, but it appears as if there is no broken glass, it is likely that it's just either the transformer or the cables that need to be replaced. To test if this is the case, it is as simple as replacing them with new parts and seeing if the sign works.

What to Expect When You Bring in Neon for Repair

• If your neon sign isn't working and you aren't sure what the issue is, it is advisable that you get in contact with a neon specialist and have them come to you to check out the sign. Quite often we are able to diagnose and even potentially fix the problem then and there saving anyone the trouble of having to take it down or completely pull it apart. If there is a broken section/sections we can also link the remaining working sections together so the sign can continue to glow while the broken sections are out of service

• If a glass neon section is broken then it will be taken to be repaired or remade. Depending on the number of sections that are broken, the repair can be completed within a matter of days.

• It is very important when searching for someone to repair your neon sign that you ask them if they work with real glass neon, as unfortunately they likely will not as most "neon" companies work only with LEDs.

FAQs About Neon Light Repairs

• How much does it cost to repair a neon sign?

  To replace a single neon section will cost anywhere between $150-$300 depending on the colour of glass and the complexity of the design. Replacing a transformer can cost between $100-$300 depending on the voltage required.

• Is it cheaper to repair or replace a neon sign?

  It is significantly cheaper to repair a real neon sign than to commission an entirely new sign.

• Can colour or design be changed during repair?

  Within reason, absolutely. A real neon sign maker will do their best to make your vision a reality, even when it comes to repairing something that is already made.

• Do all sign shops repair real neon?

  No! Real neon is made by an increasingly rare group of glass bending specialists. An LED company will be of no help in repairing a real neon sign.

Final Thoughts: Keep Your Neon Glowing

• Real neon is not a lost cause - it is a lasting investment

• If you're experiencing trouble with your neon sign, we encourage you to contact us at Australian Neon Services for guidance and assessments

• It is always worth repairing a neon sign as their value will only increase as collectors' items into the future