How Do Neon Signs Work: LED vs Traditional Neon

Neon signs have always been the vibrant and electrifying choice of cities and businesses, which have contributed to the liveliness of areas. No matter if you are strolling through a busy downtown or browsing a unique boutique, you cannot overlook LED or neon signs. The question that arises is, how do neon signs work? What is the source of their glow, and how do modern LED neon signs differ from traditional neon glass tubes?  

The blog explains the neon signs, the fundamentals of the two types of signs, traditional neon and LED, and explores how customized neon signs can make your interior more welcoming.

Grasping the operation of neon signs requires, firstly, getting acquainted with the basic principles of neon lighting. The process goes by the name of electroluminescence, whereby light is produced when an electric current flows through a gas. Let us take a deeper dive into the various components of a neon sign and how each part contributes to the distinctive glow of the sign. 

Over the years, the traditional neon signs using the well-known neon gas have been in use for more than a century. These signs have gained a reputation for the glowing lights of vintage diners, bars, and even Las Vegas, which has become their iconic landmark. Here’s a closer look at the working of traditional neon signs:

A skilled craftsman can use glass tubes to produce neon signs in the shape of intricate designs. This is an art in itself because glass-blowers have to bend the glass into the desired shape without breaking it. The process is time-consuming and laborious.

After the glass tubes have been shaped, they are filled with pure neon gas for a classic neon sign, which is the only color that can be made with neon gas alone. Other colors are obtained by using different gases, like argon for blue and green neon, and xenon for purple or white neon. Sometimes, to achieve a special color, the inside of the glass tube may also be coated with a phosphor that alters the color emitted.

When the tube is closed, an electric current is sent through the gas. The neon atoms get energized when the electricity is applied. When these atoms lose their energy, they emit photons, which are then perceived as visible light.

A traditional neon sign needs a high-voltage transformer to make the current strong enough to turn the gas on and produce the glow. The power that is used to run traditional neon signs is much higher than that for LED lights.

Neon signs made with glass tubes are delicate and easily breakable. Apart from that, the gas inside the tube can escape, which would mean a professional repair job. The maintenance and installation of neon signs are very pricey; hence, they are usually seen in places with a lot of money spent on them or in noteworthy installations.

LED neon signs have proved to be a good substitute for the classic neon signs during the last few years. The neon signs replace glass tubes and gases with light-emitting diodes (LEDs), making them much more durable, energy-efficient, and versatile. Here is how an LED neon sign functions:

The LED neon signs come with the replacing selling point of glass tubes along with the use of flexible LED strips or tubes. The strips consist of microscopic LED bulbs that emit light when current flows through them. In contrast to classic neon, LED neon signs require less voltage and thus no high-voltage transformers.

LED neon signs are mostly covered in plastic or PVC tubing. The plastic casing is flexible, and consequently, the bending process into shapes and designs is no longer that difficult. The plastic tubing can adopt the same shapes that the traditional neon glass tubes have, resulting in similar visual effects with the added advantage of durability.

Energy efficiency is the main factor that contributes significantly to the survival of LED neon signs. LED lights have negligible power consumption in comparison with traditional neon lights. The LEDs transform more energy into light, and less is lost in the form of heat, so that they are eco-friendly.

LED neon signs are hard to imagine as anything but super-durable. Glass neon signs are fragile, and they break easily, but an LED neon sign can suffer shocks and vibrations and still be working. Also, besides LED lights’ availability in tens of thousands of hours, there is nothing to compare with neon tubes that burn out faster.

With LED neon signs, there is a wide range of brightness and color control. Many LED signs have either a remote control or a smartphone app for managing the lighting, which includes softening or increasing brightness plus hue changes. This allows users, in a sense, to be the god of the atmosphere creator, be it partying, business, or personal space.

You can choose either classic neon or LED neon signs and personalize them according to your specific requirements. Custom neon signs are a great way to make your place unique and personal. Custom Neon Signs are really a good alternative, whether it’s for a business, an event, or home decoration; they can be designed in any color, font, or shape.

Here are the reasons why custom neon signs are one of the most favored options:

Custom signs can be personalized with your own logo, quote, name, or drawing. The design is limited to one’s imagination, and you can have it exactly the way you want. Classic neon or LED neon, it does not matter; still, custom would be your unique style.

If you want to be noticed, then custom neon signage is the way to go. It doesn’t matter what type of business we are talking about; it could be a restaurant, bar, or retail store; custom neon signs are the safest bet to get your business noticed through marketing. Also, the neon tones are ideal for the inviting atmosphere of the shop and to attract customers.

Custom neon signage is extensively used for various joyous and festive occasions like weddings, parties, and festivals. Highlight the theme of the event or the names of the couple on the sign, and it will not only provide functional light but also act as an immaterial decoration that enhances the atmosphere of the event.

For those who want to make a home statement, custom neon signs are a chic and lively way to dress up the room. A luminous quote in the living room or a personalized logo in the home office; either way, LED or traditional neon signs provide you with a very unusual and vibrant way to enliven your place.

Having dived into the primary functioning of traditional neon and LED neon signs, it is time to weigh their pros and cons along with a detailed factor-wise comparison of both.

Neon signs, both traditional and LED, still attract people’s attention and dazzle with their bright and imposing features. Traditional neon signs with their colorful gas-filled tubes are always a perfect choice, while LED neon signs offer more advantages like long life, less power consumption, and versatile use in different applications. A custom neon sign is one of such cases where you can play with both kinds of neon to the fullest extent, whether for your business, event, or home.

People who know neon signs would have no trouble at all deciding between the old-style neon and the new LED neon. In which case, they might prefer the vintage glass neon charm or the modern LED efficiency; both of them will bring their unique light to the space. Personalized neon signs enable you to showcase yourself, set up a remarkable atmosphere, and contribute an individualized aspect to your surroundings.

In the end, it all depends on your requirement—you either want to go for the natural look of the old glass neon or the durable and environment-friendly characteristics of today’s LED neon.

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