Neon signs play an important role in making your business visible to customers. It can help customers find you easily and know that your business is up and running. These signs can effectively power up your store. And, like any piece of electrical equipment, neon ad signs use several pieces of electrical parts to power itself.

Electrical supplies needed for neon signs may include transformers, electrodes, wires and switches. There may be a few more but let’s just go for the basics. Transformers are used to convert raw electricity into power that would light up your vibrant sign. Electrodes are lead glass that has a metallic shell with two protruding wires through which sign wirings will be attached. Electrical wirings are used to conduct electricity, and switches are used to turn the neon lights on and off. Interestingly there are even neon light dimmers commercially available in the market.

In choosing electrical components for your signs, make certain that they are made of high quality materials. Since most neon advertisements are placed just right above the storefront windows, they may be subjected to strong winds, intense summer heat or freezing cold. Henceforth, it is important to know that the electrical supplies are safe and wouldn’t cause fire or any accidents.

With proper care, a neon signage can last a long time. However, we really can’t avoid that with prolonged use the wires will have torn insulations or the transformers would suddenly die down. But, it is nice to know we learned a thing or two about powering up neon ad signs.

Neon signs look festive and inviting. The use of these signs can definitely lure customers to any shop or enterprise. Taking a closer look at a neon signage, one can see it is made of tubes that are lighted and bent to form an intricate design.

Neon tubes are glass tubes. The glass tubes are hollow pieces of borosilicate glass. Initially, neon sign makers work with only clear glass tubes. They fill the clear tubes with neon and argon plus give it a touch of current so they can produce red and blue lights. But there is a demand for more colors. So, instead of using clear glass tubes, neon sign makers now use coated glass tubes.

Coated glass tubes are lined with phosphor. They can either be single-coated or double-coated. In double coated glass tubes, the insides are coated with a base color first and then a second coat is added to produce more brightness. These double-coated neon glass tubes are ideal for borders and curves because they shine brighter thus giving the neon signs more emphasis. Some glass tube suppliers even have triple-coated glass tubes using a blend of red, blue and green phosphors. These tri-phosphor coated glass tubes give more saturated luminous colors and can be operated at higher voltages.

Glass tubes come in various diameters. It can range from 7mm to 18mm to lengths of four to five feet. These tubes are often sold in bulk. Care should be observed in handling neon glass tubes to avoid breaking them in pieces.

Neon signs are attracting more and more people to check out stores and business units. They are often placed outdoors with covered canopies so that they are easily seen and highly noticeable. But placing these signs outdoors subjects them to a variety of conditions. With harsh weather and occasional power surges their transformers can easily get damaged.

Neon sign transformers are specifically built for the purpose of powering up neon signs. They are used mainly to convert raw voltages ranging around 120-240 volts but can go as high as 3-15kV. They can also generate currents between 20 to 120mA. The most common current for general use of neon ad signs, though, is around 30mA while high-intensity and brighter lights may require as much as 60-120mA. High currents are seldom used, however, because the electrodes cannot withstand the strong current.

In early years, the neon sign transformers are iron-cored. This design allows the signs to operate at much higher frequency but they are very heavy. With advancements in technology, modern transformers use switch-mode power supplies. They are smaller and lighter but still produce the same amount of voltage as iron-core transformers.

Safety is always a consideration especially with electrical supply units such as this. High currents used in transformers can produce electrical shocks which can prove to be fatal. Extra care should be observed in installing this item to avoid electrocution. With so many transformers to choose from in supplies stores, make sure to always buy high quality ones. Lastly to keep the transformers longer lasting and safe, place them inside transformer boxes made of durable electro- galvanized sheet steel.

The wonderful intricate designs seen in neon signs are made possible by the use of glass tubes. The skilled craftsman, who bends, cuts and takes these glass tubes into fascinating neon light designs, are known as glass benders. A lot of people are scared when it comes to working with glass because cutting them requires skill and the necessary tools and equipment so that they don’t break into a million pieces.

One of the most important tools a neon sign maker or glass bender needs is a cutter. Anyone who works on making neon signs needs this piece of equipment for cutting those clear glass tubes. A clean cut is necessary so that welding the two parts together would not cause leaks. Having uneven cuts with jagged and broken edges makes it very difficult to fuse both ends. It is very important that there are no leaks in neon glass tubes because they are used to contain compressed air.

Glass files are commonly used for cutting glass tubes. A glass file is made of hardened steel with cutting ridges. Neon sign makers prefer glass files that are double cut on the sides. In order to cut the glass tubes, the glass bender sets the file at an angle and files a groove on the glass. With application of enough pressure on one side, a clean break is achieved in one snapping motion.

Another cutting tool that neon sign makers can use is the electric glass cutter.  An electric glass cutter provides the easiest way to cut neon glass tubes. It is also the fastest.

Everybody loves clothes. Who wouldn’t be? Clothing is one of our basic needs. Besides, having nice clothes can make you feel good about yourself. Because everybody is so crazy about clothes, there are so many businesses that keep popping up to give us more clothing options and styles.

If you want to find a dress or a pair of jeans in an instant then the mall is the best place to find these things. There are so many known boutiques inside the mall that you’ll have a wide range of dresses, jeans and clothes to choose from. Each store carries a different style from another, so you can go sophisticated and elegant in one or have a wild and funky outfit in the other.

There may be times when your purchased outfits will need some minor changes. Sometimes your jeans can be too long or your dresses are too tight. Perhaps, there may be some loose seams on your skirt. These pieces of clothing can be brought to certain shops for some needed repairs. You can simply look for neon signs that say alterations in tailor shops.

If you want clothes, however, that are simply made for you then you can go to a tailor or a seamstress. They can make dresses and suits that fit your body very well. If you don’t know anyone in particular, no worries, a lot of tailors and seamstresses advertise their shops and services. In fact, it’s quite easy to spot them because they use bright neon signs. You can go to them, have yourself measured and let them create the perfect-fitting dress and suits for you.

Neon signs have been found useful in promoting businesses, whether they are big or small. Despite the advancements in modern technology and advertising, a lot of business owners go back to this basic marketing tool and make use of neon lights to showcase their name, products and services for the world to see. But these signs aren’t purely for advertising. They can also be used as helpful guides throughout the business establishments.

Don’t you find it easy spotting the cash register with neon signage indicating cashier above it? Or, wouldn’t it be easy finding your way to the toilet with restrooms signs shining brightly in neon lights? Well, these are just some of the helpful neon signs that you will see.

Having helpful and directional signs like these inside your store or shop provides ease not only for the customers but also to your personnel. The signs are in vibrant neon lights so your customers couldn’t help but notice the messages right away. In restaurants, for instance, you and your staff will be able to focus more on keeping the place in order without customers bugging you every now and then about the location of your restroom or wash area. It is also the same with the drinking stations, condiments and utensils. Other messages you can relay in neon lights include entrance and exit signs, fire exit and stairs.

You can also put similar neon lighted signs outside complete with arrow designs to direct customers about your entrance and exit zones as well as your drive-thru areas. It can also be helpful to let customers know you have basement parking or have more parking spaces in the back.

For health practitioners, nothing could be more frightening and exciting than the first time they set up their private practice. Opening their own clinic entails a lot of dedication, precious time and effort. This is so because it means the ultimate peak of their flourishing medical career.

Like any businesses, private practitioners also have to market their skills and services. Without proper advertisement and signage, patients won’t come in and no one will avail of their expert medical opinion. That’s why health practitioners also turn to neon signs to lure in patients to their private clinics.

Private practitioners often put up their own medical specialization in neon lights. Thus, we get to see signs displaying words such as Family Doctor, OB-GYN, EENT, Pulmonary, Orthopedic and Surgeon. Seeing ads like these make people aware of whom to turn to whenever they get sick. They’ll see the signs, know the location and get there to seek medical help.

Dentists also employ the use of neon advertising to get people coming in to their dental clinics and laboratories. Often it’s not enough for them to just use the word Dental in neon lights but they also incorporate a tooth design. Aside from this, it is also the best way to advertise dental services such as braces, teeth whitening and so on.

Optometrists also use neon ad signs to entice client to go to their clinic and shops. Hence, we get to see neon adds promoting eye-exams as well as products like glasses, sunglasses and contact lenses. Funny that these health practitioners use eye-catching neon signs to attract people with eye problems.

We live in a modern world. Everyday people come up with new ideas to make our life easier. With all the advancements in technology, our market is proliferated with high-tech devices like personal desktop computers and laptops. There are a lot of people who make use of these modern devices and for that reason there are also a lot of businesses that opened up to cater to their high-tech needs.

Twenty years ago, we haven’t seen neon signs that sported the words computer, CDs, DVDs or laptops. Now, they are seen all over the place. There are so many computer stores not only in malls but scattered all over town that carry these words in neon lights to draw in tech savvy customers.

You may have also seen computer repair shops utilize same neon advertising. Well, these personal computers and laptops do break down once in a while. These devices need virtual clean-ups and repairs and then came the existence of computer repair shops.

We also get to see internet stations spawning all around us hanging the word Internet in neon lighting. These internet stations were set up to bring the computer technology and Internet service to those who cannot afford to buy their own equipment. These are also convenient places to go for people who have to leave their PCs or forgotten their laptops at home.

Restaurants, malls and coffee shops have also kept up with the trend. They also hang neon signs bearing the word Wi-Fi to lure in techie people. Going to these places, you’ve probably seen a lot of people bowing their heads and working intently on their laptops.

A lot of people enjoy having pets around. Animals like dogs, fish and birds are great companions. There’s always a wonderful feeling to see your pet dog looking happy and jumping around to welcome you whenever you get home. Watching your colorful fish in the aquarium has its calming and relaxing benefit. Moreover, it is invariably great to wake up each morning to the chirping sounds of your tropical birds.

Having pets is definitely a fantastic thing. To care for them you need to acquire certain supplies and equipment. Since they need proper diet and attention, a lot of business establishments have opened up to cater to their needs. To make it easy for pet owners, many of these animal stores and shops have used neon signs to market their products and services.

We usually see neon signs hanging in front windows of pet shops and stores. They usually have animal designs in them to let people know their pet specialty and products that they carry. Thus, we see a dog paw, a gold fish or a parrot design to distinguish shops that sell products for dog, fish and bird use, respectively.

More often these pet stores carry food and medicine supplies. For dogs, however, they also sell collars, leashes, bath products and grooming items. There are even coats, fleeces and hats to make them look fabulous and in fashion. Fish stores also sell tanks and aquarium equipments. They also have colorful decors for a breathtaking aquarium view. Bird shops, on the other hand, have feeders, bird baths and visually appealing avian houses.