This site is designed to promote the use of Neon - Cold Cathode
as still possibly the best source of illumination
for signage & lighting displays.
Neon - Cold Cathode will give an even 360 degree light,
with a far greater lumem output of light per linear metre than
any other source of light, this site is a gathering of information
in regards to use & uses of Neon - Cold Cathode.
From design & specifications through to when it is able to be
recycled its use at the end of its life,
In today’s world we all try to be as environmentally conscious as we can. LED manufactor’s & distributors
have gained an unfair believe that they far outclass Cold Cathode (neon) tubing as the most efficient source
for signage illumination. Some of the points made by the LED industry are.
1./ LED’s do not contain mercury.
Fair point Cold Cathode does have mercury, but Neon does not neon is a pure inert gas which is used for the red spectrum of lighting.
Also mercury is used in many other forms of lights fluorescent tubes & compact fluorescent bulbs are mercury vapourised.
2./ Mercury from old neon signs going into landfill to contaminate the environment.
Many recycling companies have made huge advances in being able to recycle mercury vapourised tubes.
3./LED’s run of 12v as to the High Voltage of Cold Cathode.
The high voltage used for Cold Cathode (Neon) is not the same type used in transmission & other power source it uses magnetic
shunt technology to limit the current to produce 30milliamps which when translated to amps it is only 0.03 of an Amp. Both the
power supply units for Neon & LED are powered by the same primary volts which is converted. Neon is also able to be run on
12vdc transformers & has even been powered by solar energy. The skipping girl in Melbourne Australia is one such example
4./ Cold Cathode (Neon) is not energy efficient
A 10Kv 30ma NTS transformer draws 1.2 amps 288 watts to operate but if Power Factor Corrected it draws 0.8 amps 192 watts
for 40ft/18mts of linear lumen output. When using a 10Kv Electronic Neon Transformer it draws 0.4amps 144watts to power
5./ Neon has a shorter life span.
Most indoor neon pieces are virtually maintenance free. The transformer or power supply can last up to fifteen years, if it is correctly
matched to the neon display. The neon tubes do not burn out like incandescent or fluorescent bulbs, and will last twenty years or
longer if they don't get broken. How long does a neon sign last?
6./ LED’s are more efficient than Cold Cathode (Neon) when it comes to watts per linear foot.
Here is the real issue the LED industry always uses the worst case scenario for wattage consumption it uses the power usage of
“NEON” not “Mercury Vapourised” tubes to compare as well as transformers not PFC (power factor correctors). Also Cold Cathode
& Neon still give far more lumens per foot than LED’s, which means you compare light output to light output, Cold Cathode exceeds
that of LED’s for energy efficiency. Please use the links below to see the comparisons
7./ LED’s are brighter than Cold Cathode (Neon).
LED’s do look bright than Neon but that is due to LED’s being smaller tha same applies to the different size diameters of tubing
with neon 8/9mm tube is much brighter to the eye than the larger diameter tubes 15/18mm. the truth is the larger the tube the more
light output is acheived know as lumems per foot.Please use the links below to see the comparisons
Neon Efficiency
Neon Vs LED’s
Neon Vs LED’s
Neon Vs LED’s
Consultant - Designer Member
Mike Hall Technical Services
