15 Facts you didn't know about Neon - Part 2

So with the first part done and dusted let's move on to more facts. I know last time was just one fact but you have to keep a bit of intrigue..... Now, personally, I think Neon is one of the most pleasant light sources around to look at; I tend to find other light sources are a bit too intense and not pleasant viewing. When Neon signs were first created, and commercially used from 1910 onwards, they created quite a stir. People came from miles around to view them. I think more than any other light source, neon still holds that wonderment for those who view it. When people get an understanding of how neon signs are made, then amazement sets in. With anything that is not fully understood and magical in its nature, rumours, misinformation and speculation follow. You can read more about the history of neon here Does Neon get very hot to the touch? Generally No! There are a couple of reasons a neon section (Tube) would get hot. This can be either due to the existence of impurities in the tube (air usually), the electrodes having too much current passed through them due to incorrect calibration or if it's incorrectly installed. The only other time that an electrode may be hot is on large diameter tubing running at a high current in the range of 150ma Can neon be at touching height? Yes neon can be at touching height, however different regulations apply for the installation. Touching height (Arm’s Reach) is defined in section 7 of the European standard EN 50107 and is concerned with the protection against contact of active (Live) Parts. Arm's reach is defined as the zone extending from any point on a surface that a person would stand or move about from which a person could reach out to. This would be a reach of 1.25m in front and below the surface and up to 2.5m above the surface that someone could occupy. When a sign is within arm's reach the following must apply:- If the glass tubing is housed completely within a case, for example acrylic, No open circuit protection is required. If the glass tubing can be touched then a mechanically protective enclosure according to IP 2X and an open circuit protection is required. This can be a tray panel with the electrical connections in the rear, or the silicon caps fixed in place so as to require a tool to remove them from position. External metal parts must be earthed and all electrode connections must be protected by silicon caps. Complete mechanical protection is achieved if the housing does not exhibit any opening with a diameter of more than 12mm even if a tube should break. Electronic transformers come with open circuit protection by default, other transformer types require a simple change of an internal earth trip, or if being flashed or dimmed by a separate external earth trip.