How Do Neon Lights Work - A Complete Guide for Installing Neon Lights at Home

First, the basics. Neon lights are made up of industrial glass tubes. The tubes are heated and bent into the desired positions – an almost limitless range of shapes and designs are available – and neon gas is inserted. It’s this gas which gives neon lighting its unique look.

The basics of neon lights are relatively easy to understand. But when it comes to how do neon lights work, it’s a little more complicated. Atoms, electrons, and the transfer of energy are all involved in the process. In fact, figuring out how neon lights work is a little bit of a science lesson, but here’s the whole process broken down in an easy-to-follow way.

The first thing to understand is why neon gas is used instead of other gases. Neon is part of a group of gases known as noble gases. Noble gases are non-flammable, with no color or odor – this makes them safe and easy to work with. They’re also stable, and in scientific terms, that means it takes a lot of energy for them to either gain or lose electrons.

Each neon light is filled up with a small amount of neon, stored at low pressure. Electrodes are also fitted to each end of the tube. Then, either alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC) can be passed through to illuminate the light – most commonly, AC is used.

Once sufficient electric voltage reaches the light, electrons are removed from the neon atoms. This causes the atoms to become positively charged and move towards the negative terminal of the light. Meanwhile, the free electrons move towards the positive end. Together, all of these charged particles are known as plasma.

As the atoms move around and collide, heat is generated and energy starts to circulate inside the light. Some electrons gain so much energy that they enter an excited state. One way for them to return to normal is by releasing their excess energy in the form of light. And that’s how neon lights create their distinctive glow.

You don t need to understand all the complicated science behind neon lights to enjoy them in your own home. But you will need to install them correctly to avoid any problems.

1. To get the positioning just right, hold your sign up against the wall where you want to install it. Use a pencil to mark the spots where the wall mount screws or dowels need to go. Alternatively, some neon lights come with a drawing you can hold on the wall instead.
2. Drill holes in the walls on the spots you marked with the pencil, and then slip the screws, mounts, or dowels into the holes you made.
3. You should then be able to carefully hang your light on the wall, fitting the holes or frame over the mounts.
4. Plug in and turn on your neon light to start enjoying it.

To ensure a safe installation and get the best value out of your neon lights, here are a few handy tricks to keep in mind:

• Always Read the Instructions: Neon lights can be made in a range of different ways, and may have varying installation methods, too. Some just need you to drill a couple of holes in the wall and mount the light. Others are a bit more complex, with more tubes, parts, and supports to set up. Always read through the instructions with your lights to make sure you set them up correctly.
• Pick a Good Spot: When it comes to neon lighting, location is everything. If you’ll excuse the pun, these lights can really shine in the right places, but may look a little out of place in other areas. You should find a spot that is open and visible. This will allow the light to become a genuine focal point, attracting the attention of all your guests.
• Take Great Care During Installation: Neon lights are primarily made of glass tubing. The glass is industrially designed to be strong and sturdy, but it can crack and shatter, just like any other glass. For that reason, you’ll need to take great care when setting up your light. It’s often best to ask a friend or family member to help out, rather than going it alone.

You won’t need to worry about how do neon lights work or any confusing installation processes if you choose Neon Signs Now. At Neon Signs Now, we let you design your own customized neon lights with your own art, logos, and text, or pick from our premade designs.

• Three Ways to Order: Neon Signs Now gives you three different options to order amazing neon lighting. Either enter your own text, create your own design, or choose from our great range of existing models.
• Top Quality: All of our neon lights are made to the highest standards of quality. They can last for a whopping 50,000 hours in total. That’s the equivalent of leaving your light running non-stop for almost six entire years.
• Great Value: Neon lighting can be costly, but not at Neon Signs Now. We offer fair, affordable prices, and various ways to save, including free shipping on every light you order.

If you’re eager to add some futuristic neon lighting to your home, check out the Neon Signs Now range today.