Regular Electronic Neon Transformers

The National Electric Code (NEC) details the proper way to install neon. These guidelines periodically change or are updated, so always refer to the current NEC installation guidelines for the latest up-to-date information. If you are unsure, please seek a Sign Professional.

In addition to the NEC installation guidelines, we have the following installation do's and don'ts that we have compiled for over the last 30+ years.

First and foremost, always conform to all local and national electrical codes when installing.

Keep all GTO high-voltage wires away from metal. The high-voltage is always looking for metal to arc to, even arcing straight through GTO high-voltage wire insulation to metal.

Keep all GTO high-voltage wires away from other GTO high-voltage wires. Do not cross over GTO high-voltage wires. The high-voltage wire can arc from wire to wire through the insulation.

Never zip-tie GTO high-voltage wires together. All GTO high-voltage wires must be by themselves.

Do not run GTO high-voltage wire through metal conduit. Use either Thru The Wall GTO Wiring System or Masters Technology GTO Wiring System.

When replacing a transformer on a beer sign type metal wire frame, never zip-tie the GTO high-voltage wire to the metal frame. If you must secure the GTO high-voltage wire to the frame, always use a section of GTO Sleeving to run the GTO high-voltage wire through, then zip tie the GTO Sleeving to the frame.

When routing the GTO high-voltage wire from the transformer to the neon electrode ends, never lay a GTO high-voltage wire onto the neon transformer case. We have seen this cause an issue before. Most electronic transformers usually have both GTO high-voltage wires coming out of the same end. So, for example, when replacing a transformer on a neon beer sign, the two neon electrode ends are usually on opposite sides of the sign (left side / right side). With this scenario, you are usually faced with one GTO high-voltage wire needing to be routed back over the neon transformer to get over to the neon electrode end.

Do not use metal (conductive) neon tube supports.

ALWAYS make it your mission to keep the GTO high-voltage wires coming from the transformer as short as possible.

Try not to have GTO splices. If you must, always adequately insulate any GTO high-voltage splices. Heat shrink is not good enough. Electrical tape is not good enough. Wire nuts are not good enough. Back in the day, there were several GTO high-voltage splice products commercially available but unfortunately there are none being manufactured today. We do offer parts to make your own splicers.

If mounting more than one electronic transformer (any brand) on a sign, always mount each transformer as far away from each other as possible. If the transformers are too close, you run the risk of "nuisance tripping". Electronic transformers each have a built-in ground fault. This ground-fault is always watching for any voltage anomaly. One transformer's power can activate another transformer's ground fault which turns one transformer off. Keep in mind that, even with mounting the transformers far away from each other, two neon tubes that are each powered by different transformers and are in close proximity to each other, can also activate the ground fault. Now this does not always happen but it's good to understand the possibilities.

As crazy as it sounds, do not "test" a sign that is lying on a concrete floor. A concrete floor can, and has, kept signs from lighting properly. Concrete has metal inside and this metal can affect the sign. Remember taking a magnet and running it through sand and picking up metal shavings?

Do not mount a transformer on a surface that generates heat.

Never overload a transformer. Be mindful of the transformer's footage chart. Not all footage charts are the same. Please refer to the footage chart provided by the manufacturer of the transformer you are using.