DFW's Largest Custom Sign Company

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.)

Marquee 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.

Marquee Letters Containing Neon

To help prevent fires, the National Electric Code and Underwriters Laboratory require that all Marquee 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.

FOR ORDERING OR ASSISTANCE CALL:

214-339-2227 254-582-7446 817-861-1234 903-561-5959 940-365-3433 972-850-3300

877-SINCE79 toll free

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Office: 7:00am to 5:00pm (CST) Monday thru Friday
Showroom/Tours: 7:00am to 5:00pm (CST) Monday thru Friday (or by appointment)

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