Electrical for Channel Letters
Electrical Circuits for (almost) All Signage
The National Electrical Code (NEC) adopted by the State of Texas, and virtually every Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) requires that circuits serving electrical signs be 20 amp. maximum, and serve no other device. This includes the common wire, and the ground wire (the white and green wires.) If the signage contains neon the circuit can be rated up to 30 amp.
The above was not always true, so it is possible that wiring serving older signs will need to be replaced by your electrician.
Why?
Signs used to basically be lights, running on lighting circuits, but this is no longer true.
A modern electrical sign contains electronics, which includes Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) tripping.
We have seen signs wired to older electrical circuits where turning on a fan inside a store turns off the exterior sign.
NOTE: The Sunburst LED Signs™ we manufacture are fed by branch circuits, we distribute the electrical load inside the signage. Therefore, the circuit feeding our digital LED signs, or signage containing one of our Sunburst LED Signs™ are not constrained by this requirement. (Other manufacturers cannot do this.)
Channel Letters Containing LEDs
LEDs are very sensitive to voltage. The power supplies we use to power LEDs provide internal overvoltage, low voltage, spike and brownout protection for the sign. Many manufacturers do not.
Channel Letters Containing Neon
To help prevent fires, the National Electric Code and Underwriters Laboratory require that all channel letter signs containing neon use ground-fault protected neon transformers.
To function their best, these transformers need their electrical circuit to have a grounding conductor. All modern buildings have them. These transformers also require a dedicated common wire so that other devices, like a refrigerator turning “on", on the same wire circuit does not turn your GFI transformers “off." If your building is not wired properly you will want to have it corrected, so that your sign will work reliably.
Signs Manufacturing™
uses "France" standard neon transformers because unlike
ALL other
transformers these U.S. manufactured transformers contain
a "Smart" microprocessor that automatically tries to reset
the ground-fault before shutting down the transformer.
If the fault was only momentary, the transformer will
remain "on," illuminating your sign. These
transformers also automatically reset when their power is
turned off and then back on. They offer our
customers the greatest opportunity to avoid service calls.
Our newly-developed energy-saving in-series transformers also contain “Smart" microprocessors. The related costs of the two different types of transformers with neon lighting, as well as LED lighting, is explained under our "Energy Savings" tab under our "Lighting Choices" tab.
Each neon transformer is warranted for two years from its manufacturing date.
Translux high-voltage silicone-insulated wire will be used during neon installation, even though it is four times more expensive than some neon wire, to insure against transformer “nuisance tripping", arcing, fires, and potential service calls caused by neon transformer outputs as high as 15,000 volts.
Glass
tube/wire supports and porcelain insulators will be used
because they do not degrade over time, unlike the plastic
and clay components used by some.
LEDs are very sensitive to voltage. The power supplies we use to power LEDs provide internal overvoltage, low voltage, spike and brownout protection for the sign. Many manufacturers do not.
Our illuminated signs are manufactured and installed to Underwriters Laboratories, National Electrical Code (National Fire Protection Association), and City Code standards using UL components.
If a raceway is incorporated into the sign, glass neon electrode housings are employed to increase reliability and improve the appearance of the sign.
Zap Protection™ - Optional Electrical Surge and Lightning Protection
Electrical surges on a sign’s incoming power supply, and lightning strikes, are not covered by any manufacturer’s warranty, and they are common in Texas.
As technology has moved us from the use of electrical components such as core-and-coil ballasts to electronic components, primarily to reduce power consumption, the susceptibility of a sign to damage from electrical power surges or lightning strikes has increased dramatically. Old-style electrical components are simply no longer available in most cases.
Signs Manufacturing™ offers surge and lightning Zap Protection™, at a reasonable additional cost, adding components to signs to lower the potential for damage from an occurrence.
150 VRMS clamping volts for ground, 310 VRMS for line. Maximum surge current 100,000 amps, 0-400 Hz, UL Listed.
Please stop by and see all of these products displayed in our unique Sign Lighting Laboratory and Display Showroom.
The GRID™ Electrical System for LED Signs
At Signs Manufacturing, we specialize in creating high-quality LED signs that make your business stand out. Our internally illuminated signs, powered by cutting-edge Solarbrite™ LEDs and our exclusive GRID™ electrical system, deliver unmatched brightness and reliability, ensuring your custom business sign attracts customers for years to come.
Unrivaled Reliability with the GRID™ Electrical System
Our proprietary GRID™ electrical system is designed to enhance the performance of our LED signage. By reducing strain on power supplies and LEDs, this innovative technology minimizes maintenance costs and maximizes the lifespan of your commercial sign. The result? A reliable LED sign that stays brighter than your competitors, helping you capture over 50% of potential customers who discover businesses through eye-catching signage.
Why Traditional LED Signage Systems Fall Short
Most LED signage systems maximize the number of LEDs on a single circuit to keep costs low, as Class 2 power supplies are expensive. This approach forces the power supply to produce maximum amperage to deliver sufficient power to the end LEDs in the string. The result? Excessive heat that shortens the lifespan of both the power supply and the LEDs themselves, as heat is a primary factor in reducing LED durability.
How Our GRID™ Electrical System Solves These Challenges
Our proprietary GRID™ electrical system transforms LED signage performance by changing the way we power our Solarbrite™ LED light strings. This innovative design reduces the strain on the Class 2 power supply, requiring less amperage to achieve optimal brightness. By minimizing heat generation, our system extends the lifespan of both the power supply and the LEDs, ensuring your commercial sign remains vibrant and reliable. We can accomplish this because we use Solarbrite™ LEDs which are compatible with our GRID™ system.
Benefits of the GRID™ Electrical System
- Enhanced Durability: Reduced heat extends the life of power supplies and LEDs, lowering maintenance costs.
- Energy Efficiency: Lower amperage requirements make your LED signage more cost-effective to operate.
- Brighter, Longer-Lasting Signs: Stay ahead of competitors with signs that maintain brilliance over time.
- Customer Attraction: Over 50% of potential customers discover businesses through eye-catching commercial signage, and our GRID system ensures your sign stands out.
Why Choose Our LED Signage Solution?
Our GRID™ electrical system is engineered to optimize the performance of LED signs, delivering a cost-effective, reliable, and visually stunning solution for your business. By reducing strain on Class 2 power supplies and minimizing LED sign maintenance, we help you capture attention and drive customer engagement.
Invest in our energy-efficient signage today and experience the difference of a brighter, longer-lasting commercial sign. Contact us to learn more about how our GRID™ electrical system can elevate your brand.
Why Solarbrite™ LEDs Make the Difference
Our Solarbrite™ LEDs are engineered for brilliance, ensuring your custom LED sign remains vibrant day and night. Whether you need a storefront sign, outdoor business sign, or illuminated signage for any industry, our signs are built to last over 20 years. Because they are compatible with the GRID™ system, you get superior durability without added costs, making our LED signs for business a smart investment.
Why Choose Signs Manufacturing?
- Long-Lasting Performance: Over 20 years of reliable operation with minimal upkeep.
- Brighter Displays: Solarbrite™ LEDs outshine standard LED signage.
- Cost-Effective: No extra cost for the advanced GRID™ electrical system.
- Custom Solutions: Tailored business signs for retail, restaurants, and more.
Elevate Your Brand with Custom LED Signs
Stand out with Signs Manufacturing's custom LED signs, designed for maximum impact and durability. From outdoor LED signs to illuminated business signs, our Solarbrite™ LEDs and GRID™ electrical system ensure your signage shines brighter and lasts longer. Contact us today to create a commercial sign that drives customers to your door.
The Importance of a Bright, Dependable Sign
A well-lit business sign is critical for attracting customers and building brand trust. A dim or broken sign can harm your reputation, while a consistently bright display drives foot traffic and boosts visibility. Our custom signage solutions, powered by Solarbrite™ LEDs and the GRID™ system, ensure your sign remains a powerful marketing tool, delivering long-term value for your business.
Automatic Electronic Thermal Lighting Controls*
We are often asked this question:
"When I have our electrician run electrical power for our signs should I have him install a photo cell or a timer to turn it on and off?"
When our founder was very young he managed a supermarket, a grocery store.
He discovered that he could affect the store's business by simply turning “on" the store's signs on less-than-sunshiny days. Cloudy and/or rainy days would have a higher sales volume than bright days, IF HE REMEMBERED TO TURN THE SIGNS ON.
And with the tinted window glass so prevalent in the South it is often-times hard to tell if a business is even open.
These are lessons every business person should be aware of. And, with today's modern LED illuminated signage, it costs practically nothing to make your store really stand out!
What is the main reason our Sunburst™ LED outdoor digital signs increase a store’s business so dramatically? Lighted signs draw much more attention than unlighted signs, even during the day!
Because we recognize how important this is, we will
now install automatic electronic lighting controls on every lighted sign
we manufacture*,
factory calibrated to turn the sign “on" and “off" at times when lighting will
help you do more business. Over the past 40+ years, we have documented EXACTLY
when a sign’s lighting should be turned “on" to increase visibility on dark
and/or rainy days, overcome shadows, and exactly when at dusk a sign should be
turned “on."
The whole purpose of the sign, after all, is to attract attention
to your business. We make your sign both more attention-getting AND more
legible, even during solar eclipses!
The setting varies for signs pointed East, West, North, or South, and varies for signs containing neon, HID lighting, fluorescents, and/or LEDs. It also varies by how the sign was built.
Our automatic electronic lighting controls are installed not only to recognize light levels, but also to sense shadows making signs less legible, and turn “on" the internal lighting accordingly. Optimum settings are custom-set for every sign.
Another example of our doing everything we can to insure that our signs make your business the most successful. As far as we know, no other sign manufacturer does this, for free or otherwise, for their customers.
If possible, have your electrician also wire a time clock to control the power supplying your signs. The time clock should be set to keep the sign “off" at times they should never be lighted, say 2:30 AM to 5:30 AM, the rest of the time whether the sign is “on" or “off" should be determined by our automatic lighting controls. USE ELECTRICITY WISELY TO MAKE YOUR BUSINESS THE MOST VISIBLE, BUT CONSERVE ENERGY.
Regarding “Energy Consumption" note how little energy our SolarBrite™ LED lighted signs use in a year!
Recognize that Intermatic and Tork time clocks, used by most electricians, are not finely adjustable, and at certain times of the year dawn and dusk occur at quickly-varying times, gaining or losing over 15 minutes of daylight each week. If you only have a time clock controlling power to your signs, savvy business owners must reset their time clocks constantly and carefully, and manually override them to turn “on" their signs on dark days. Good luck getting your employees to do this religiously – THIS IS ALSO WHY WE INCLUDE CALIBRATED AUTOMATIC THERMAL LIGHTING CONTROLS ON EVERY OUTDOOR SIGN WE MANUFACTURE.* Incidentally, we DO NOT use photo cells or photo eyes. They are neither precise nor reliable.
Anecdotal data suggests that increased profits resulting from this feature alone more than pays for the entire cost of most signs EVERY YEAR.
Unconvinced of the importance to you? View our control system in operation, and our supporting testing, in our Sign Lighting Laboratory and Showroom. Then you can decide if you agree that this is a critically important improvement in signage effectiveness.
*Dependent on size and design.
The failure mode for our automatic electronic lighting controls is “always on." You will never be without an attractive sign if something should break; you’ll spend a little more on electricity until we get it fixed.
What are Day-Light Designs™?
Knowing that our signs will be illuminated during the day we design our signs and lighting for daylight effectiveness; to take full advantage of our daytime lighting.
For instance, we pack backlighting to create a subtle glow during the day. If you are going to light a sign during the day the lighting better look good! This is easier to accomplish when we incorporate our SolarBrite™ LongLife™ LEDs which are so much brighter than competitive LEDs.
Other Subjects You Will Want to Explore
Literature
We believe we are the only sign company that offers informative literature on signage, our "Sign Buyer's Guide" series.
Our most popular Guides are:
52 Page Brochure
44 Page Brochure
40 Page Brochure
40 Page Brochure
40 Page Brochure
40 Page Brochure
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