Southern California Sign Blog

Channel Letter Signs - Neon or LED Lighting? What do you think?

Posted by Julie and Chris Ramirez on Thu, Feb 16, 2012 @ 06:02 AM

Channel Letter Signs - Neon or LED Lighting?  What do you think?

Here are a few helpful items. Some of LED illumination's potential advantages over neon are:
• LED is less fragile. Neon tubes are much more susceptible to breakage both in transit and during installation.
• LED can mean a lower utility bill for you. LED is a more efficient light source, and the electrical transformer is smaller.
• LED is a more focused light source. An LED module produces a "cone" of light, where neon illumination is emitted from all sides of the neon tube (this can also be a disadvantage for LED, as noted below.)
• Installation of an LED channel letter signs can be easier, as it does not always require conduit on the secondary side.
• LED is a more environmentally friendly product. Neon tubes often contain mercury.
• LED is safer to install, service and maintain. LED is typically powered by 12 volts DC, where neon is powered by 4,000 - 15,000 volts AC. The high voltages required by neon present a significantly higher electrical hazard potential.
However, with all of these differences, neon still has its place. Here is where neon illumination can be better:
• Neon illumination has a certain warm glow that many think LED has yet to match. This is particularly true for reverse and front/back lit channel letter signs. Neon's 360 degree illumination is very easy on the eyes when used with front/back lit letters. LED's focused "light cone" is not as good with these letter types.
• Some custom colors can be better matched with neon. If your client is concerned about a specific color match (such as a logo color), neon may be a better choice.
• Open face channel letter signs still require neon - LED is not yet a viable option.
So, the short answer to "which illumination source is better?" is that it all depends on the project at hand. LED and neon are completely different illumination sources, each with their own advantages and disadvantages.

If you have any questions or for further information, please contact The Sign Studio (818) 843-9200 or info@signstudiola.com.

Sign Quote Estimate

 

Topics: LED Lighting, Channel Letters, Neon Lighting

Los Angeles Signs | What is LED?

Posted by Julie and Chris Ramirez on Tue, Jan 18, 2011 @ 10:01 AM

What is an LED?
 LED Picture resized 600

                              

An LED (Light Emitting Diode) is an electronic semi-conductor that when turned on, converts electric energy into light.   
                     

One way LEDs differ from incandescent light bulbs is LEDs have no filament to burn out meaning LEDs can last for 100,000 hours or more. They are also far more efficient, producing substantially more light per watt than incandescent bulbs. Other advantages of LEDs are:

 -Color: LEDs use no color filters like traditional lighting, thereby keeping costs down

 -Shock resistant: LEDs are a solid state component making them difficult to damage

 - On/Off time: LEDs produce light very quickly. Typically LEDs achieve full brightness in a less than a microsecond giving them an incredible response time

 -Cool light: An LED will radiate almost no heat that can damage adjacent materials. Excess energy is dissipated as heat through the base of the LED

 -Size: LEDs are small in size, allowing them to be easily populated into face panels (in our industry)

 - Cycling: LEDs are perfect for frequent on-off cycling, which cause traditional lighting to fail

 - Low toxicity: An LED contains no mercury, thereby making them safe for the environment

 In The Sign industry, one or more LEDs will make up a pixel. Typically, LEDs are red or amber for monochrome units and a combination red, green and blue for color displays.

It is also important to keep in mind differences in quality when it comes to LEDs. There are literally hundreds of LED manufacturers making a wide range of diodes, some are first-rate, others are poorly manufactured which usually result in diodes lasting only 25,000 to 50,000 hours.

 In order to build a top of the line product, you need to start with top of the line components.

Make sure your display manufacturer is providing only superior LEDs.  If you have any further questions or need more information, please do not hesitate to call us at (818) 843-9200 or send us an e-mail at thesignstudio@sbcglobal.net

 NEED A QUOTE ON SIGNAGE

Topics: LED Lighting, LED Signs, LED Displays, LED, LED's, Message Centers, Message Boards

Los Angeles Signs | LED Lighting vs. Neon in Channel Letter Signs

Posted by Julie and Chris Ramirez on Mon, Nov 29, 2010 @ 00:11 AM

Here are a few helpful items. Some of LED illumination's potential advantages over neon are:
• LED is less fragile. Neon tubes are much more susceptible to breakage both in transit and during installation.
• LED can mean a lower utility bill for you. LED is a more efficient light source, and the electrical transformer is smaller.
• LED is a more focused light source. An LED module produces a "cone" of light, where neon illumination is emitted from all sides of the neon tube (this can also be a disadvantage for LED, as noted below.)
• Installation of an LED channel letter signs can be easier, as it does not always require conduit on the secondary side.
• LED is a more environmentally friendly product. Neon tubes often contain mercury.
• LED is safer to install, service and maintain. LED is typically powered by 12 volts DC, where neon is powered by 4,000 - 15,000 volts AC. The high voltages required by neon present a significantly higher electrical hazard potential.
However, with all of these differences, neon still has its place. Here is where neon illumination can be better:
• Neon illumination has a certain warm glow that many think LED has yet to match. This is particularly true for reverse and front/back lit channel letter signs. Neon's 360 degree illumination is very easy on the eyes when used with front/back lit letters. LED's focused "light cone" is not as good with these letter types.
• Some custom colors can be better matched with neon. If your client is concerned about a specific color match (such as a logo color), neon may be a better choice.
• Open face channel letter signs still require neon - LED is not yet a viable option.
So, the short answer to "which illumination source is better?" is that it all depends on the project at hand. LED and neon are completely different illumination sources, each with their own advantages and disadvantages.

If you have any questions or for further information, please contact The Sign Studio (818) 843-9200 or info@signstudiola.com.

NEED QUOTE

Topics: LED Lighting, Channel Letter Signs, Signage, Neon, Signs