The Difference Between LED and Neon Signs

Neon signs have decorated shops, highways, streetthe base thus requiring more depth in spacing.
corners and window sills for many years. LEDs are a• It is easier to transport and ship LED signs as
relatively new invention, but they have already startedcompared to neon signs as they can withstand a lot
over shadowing the neon signs. There have to berougher handling being less fragile and also being less
certain advantages in the use of LED, for it to be ablebulky they occupy less space.
to eat into the market share of the ever popular neon• LED signs are bright and clear to read from any
signs.distance while neon signs tend to get blurred if viewed
A LED or Light Emitting Diodes is a solid statefrom a distance. Even during the day time with the sun
semi-conductor device which can convert electricalshining bright, LED signs can be seen to glow clearly,
energy directly in to light energy. To get a glowing signwhile you can't make out if a neon sign is on or off.
from LED, they are placed adjacent to each other in a• LED signs have a lifetime of 100,000 hours where
polymer jacket, just so far apart as to permit glowas neon sign are plagued by constant gas leakage and
overlap and give a constant regular light. This makesneed to be refilled.
LED signs very flexible and easy to handle.• LED signs are more eco-friendly as compared to
Neon signs on the other hand are made from realneon signs, as they do not emit any gases while neon
glass in the form of tubing and are filled with neon gas.signs leak out toxic gases such as argon and mercury.
They are fragile in handling and transportation and• LED signs use just 10 watts of power as against
have high maintenance costs. Besides the difference in8-10 times higher wattage used by neon signs thus
the method of construction and handling, there are athey have much lower running costs.
large number of differences which go to make LED• LED signs are extremely malleable and can be
the chosen alternative to neon signs.twisted in any direction with ease, neon signs, being
Some of the major differences are as follows:made of glass need specialized processes to turn and
• LED being at least a third to a quarter thetwist.
thickness of neon tubing occupies a lot less space• LED signs being made of a number of LEDs put
height wise as well as in depth.together can use animation, flashing and flickering with
• LED does not heat up the way a neon sign doesease, while neon signs do not offer such options.
so it can be hinged to the base where as neon signIt seems as though the new technology of LED signs
has to be extended at least an inch or so away fromwill be around for quite some time.