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ref: the physics of a neon sign
John, I feel the NEC the CEC, Miller's Neon Techniques, The American
Electricians Handbook, The neon Installation Manual, etc all have a lot to do
with the reliability of neon signs. These sources arn't perfect by any
means, but their the best we have at this point in time. Most of the old
signs that were built where the HV cable ran on porcelain cable supports were
inside of a metal raceway ( the sign itself ). As the years passed, and less
hardware was to be seen we've replaced those raceways with metalic conduit.
I love neon as an art form, with such works as Tom Scariff,"beach #4"done in
1970, but the minute we take this media, and locate it in an area of large
public access, *we must adhear to our codes* ( NEC & CEC ). I know some
people may not like this attitude, but to me neon fires really bother me. I
feel everytime our industry has one our field looses a lot charm. I've
investigated a lot of neon accidents for our state, and every one has had,
not one but many code violations. For sure the Neon Installation Manual has
a lot of mis-information, and " hundreds of individual Componets " that water
down its simplicity, but the manual was the first attempt at putting the
installation concept down on paper. This manual was put together by a
buracery, and its now at the point in time where it needs to be honed down by
neon people whose only motive is to improve our trade and craft. We decuss
the codes, but don't we also turn around and ponder * mid-point Wiring*, and
how it adds safty and longevity to the creations we design. To add one final
note G-cups are the only listed product ( by U/L ) for wet location use {not
that I buy into everything that orginization atones}. John I think the
lessons of the past are being used,unfortunately their just getting covered
over sometimes by commercialism. I hope I'm not getting , to much out of hand
on this form, and if that seems to be the case I'll unscribe . George@
Vermont Sign