What is Neon Lighting?
Neon lighting is a type of cold cathode gas-discharge light, consisting of neon or other gases contained in glass tubes that glow when electric currents pass through them. The gas within the tube is rarefied, and a high potential of several thousand volts applied to the electrodes ionizes it, causing it to emit colored light. These lights are popular in storefront signs, particularly those for bars and restaurants. They are also found in other commercial areas, such as nightclubs and airports. Unlike traditional light bulbs, neon lighting can work on a wide variety of voltages which makes them very flexible. Moreover, the ionization process that causes the neon gas inside a glass tube to glow is very powerful and can be done at high speeds and in large quantities. The word “neon” comes from the French term for “light of the evening”, and refers to a gas that emits light when it is heated by an electrical current. This is the same process that generates light in a fluorescent lamp.