The Science behind Neon Signs

Have you ever wondered how neon signs work? They succeed at grabbing our attention, but why do they glow and how do they work? Vital Signs loves working with neon signs. Creativity really shines when you work with this type of sign.
There is a little science behind neon signs, but it’s not too complicated. Neon is an inert gas, similar to argon, and helium. These elements struggle to react, unlike many of the other elements found on the periodic table.

How Does this Translate into the Famous Glow of Neon Signs?

Excellent question, and an easy one to answer. Neon signs glow because the neon gas that is trapped in the tube is stimulated by an electric current. The current cause’s electrons to be released which results in the neon gas glowing. The color in neon signs is dictated by the color of the tubing. It’s as simple as that. Basic chemistry results in a spectacular neon sign.

How Long do Neon Signs Last?

The average life expectancy of a neon sign is anywhere from 10 to 20 years, depending on how often the sign is used. If a sign was never turned off, it would last for around 10 years or 80,000 hours. However, most businesses do close and a neon sign would only be turned on for a select period of the day. In this case, you can expect your neon sign to last well over 20 years. In the end, it all comes down to quality and how well you maintain your sign.

Neon signs are a great way to advertise your business. They are catchy and fun. Vital Signs has worked with neon for many years. We are experienced and we are able to take your ideas and turn them into beautiful neon signs. We offer our services to customers located in Toronto, Mississauga, the GTA, and most of Southern Ontario.