Quality analysis of neon signs

National Electric Light Source Quality Supervision and Inspection Center (Beijing)

Neon lights used in indoor and outdoor neon projects and similar devices are the ultimate embodiment of neon lights, usually through indoor and outdoor billboards. After using it for a period of time, the external manifestation of its quality problems is that the content of the advertising screen is incomplete, "lack of arms and legs." There are many reasons that affect the quality of neon lights, but there are several main sources.

1. Factors affecting the quality of neon billboards

Neon billboards are composed of neon tubes, neon transformers (inductive and electronic), controllers, power distribution cabinets, structural components of neon devices, and lightning protection devices. , assembled, installed and connected by the system. Therefore, the above elements that constitute the system are the basic sources that affect its quality. However, it should mainly include several aspects:

A. the quality of neon tubes

B. quality of neon lamp (inductor and electronic) transformers

C. Installation quality of neon lamp device

Among the above three quality problems, the installation of neon billboards is the most influential and prominent one.

2. The influence of neon tube quality on the quality of neon billboards.

Neon tube is a cold cathode glow discharge lamp, which has the advantages of long life, uniform surface light and ideal plane visual effect. The physical quantity of neon color is to experience its colorful and varied pictures through people's subjective physiological stimulation and psychological feelings. The national mandatory standard GB 1926 1—2003 "General Requirements and Safety Requirements for Neon Lights" stipulates the performance indicators and safety requirements of neon lights. The performance requirements of neon lamp are mainly reflected in photoelectric characteristics, such as brightness, luminous flux maintenance rate, starting voltage, working voltage and other parameters, and only the diameter of the lamp is indicated as φ 12mm. (φ8mm ~φ 14mm) The photoelectric parameters and specifications of neon tubes have been clearly defined. In practical application, the specific photoelectric parameters are also related to the use environment of billboards, the content of advertising pictures, the needs of color and contrast between light and shade, and the visual physiology and psychological feelings of observers. Therefore, the limit values of brightness, luminous flux and illuminance can be adjusted according to the use environment. Unfortunately, the luminous color characteristics of neon lights (such as color saturation, purity and other chromaticity indicators) are not clearly defined in the current relevant standards.

In recent years, cold cathode fluorescent lamps have been widely used in architectural lighting and landscape lighting. Due to the increasing demand, many manufacturers pay more attention to the manufacturing and processing technology of lamp tubes, and the product quality has also been greatly improved.

The production technology of neon lights is also developing constantly. There are not only tubes with diameters specified in the standard, but also tubes with large diameters and small diameters that are not involved in the standard, which enriches the varieties of neon lights. In actual production, by changing the gas filled in the lamp tube, the starting characteristics of the lamp tube are improved, the working voltage of the lamp tube is reduced, which is beneficial to the low-temperature starting of the neon tube, the load capacity of the neon transformer is improved and the use cost is reduced. However, the current neon tube standard does not track and cover such products in time. It temporarily lags behind the development of product technology update and application.

Whether the advantages of long life of neon lamp tube can be fully utilized and brought into play depends on the manufacture of the lamp tube. At present, the main quality problem of lamps is the low luminous flux maintenance rate, but this is not an important factor affecting the quality of neon billboards.

3. The influence of the quality of neon (inductive and electronic) transformers on the quality of neon billboards.

3. 1 neon lamp inductance transformer: National mandatory standard GB19149—2003 (IDIEC 61050:1991) "No-load output voltage exceeds/kloc-0" The general requirements and safety requirements of neon lamp inductance transformers are equivalent to adopting IEC standards of the International Electrotechnical Commission, which stipulate the ideal range of rated open circuit voltage of transformers (1600/2500/4000/6300/1000 V). At the same time, the parameters covering the ideal range of rated working current of transformer (10/25/40/63/100ma, etc. ) have regulations, and products with these parameters and specifications are rarely used in China. The transformer with open circuit voltage of l 5 0 0 0 V, which is widely used in China, has been listed in the new national standard. It enriches the specifications of neon inductance transformers currently produced and used in China.

Due to the working characteristics of neon lamp inductance transformer, the short-circuit current of the transformer designed and processed normally is small, which is close to the normal working current of the lamp. The temperature rise of transformer winding is very low, and it is safe even in short circuit. The service life of transformer matches that of neon tube. Under normal use, the quality of neon inductance transformer is not an important factor affecting the quality of neon billboards.

3.2 Neon electronic transformer: the national mandatory standard GB ×××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××× Neon lamp tube has high working voltage and low lamp current, which is more suitable for exerting the characteristics of electronic transformer. Therefore, the overall quality of electronic transformers for neon lights in China is better than that of electronic ballasts for other light sources.

According to the standard, when neon electronic transformer is used outdoors, its shell should have the functions of rain protection and electric shock prevention. When the shell is made of metal, it should also be equipped with grounding protection device. Outdoor installation, the distance from the ground should not be less than 3m, otherwise it must be separated by a metal mesh cover to avoid direct contact with the human body. The distance between outdoor transformer and balcony, window and overhead line shall not be less than1m. ..

Neon electronic transformers use a large number of electronic components. Therefore, the quality and service life of electronic components become the key to the quality and service life of electronic transformers. Even shorter than the life of neon lights. This is just one of the main factors that affect the quality of neon billboards.

4. The installation level of neon billboards is an important factor affecting their quality, and the installation of electrical appliances reflects the most problems, as described below.

4. 1 lamp installation:

Mechanical damage of the lamp tube due to the influence of additional mechanical force on the installation surface should be prevented. Special attention should also be paid to the creepage distance and electrical gap between the charged body of the lamp lead and the connecting wire and the installation surface (conductor) to prevent the conductor or burr from discharging from the installation surface. The standard stipulates the fixed position of the lamp tube insulation bracket, the minimum distance between the fixed lamp tube and the installation surface, and the distance between the lamp tube insulation bracket and the electrode lead-out end of the neon lamp tube when it is fixed by wire binding. If the installation requirements of the lamp tube are ignored, it will lead to the damage and failure of the lamp tube and affect the picture effect of the billboard.

Using unqualified neon lamp fixing bracket, not paying attention to the reasonable fixing of the lamp tube, the creepage distance of the lead wire and the electrical gap are all the keys to affect the quality of the lamp tube.

4.2 Installation of Neon Transformer:

During installation, special attention should be paid to fixing waterproof, electric shock prevention, creepage distance, electrical gap and connection feasibility. The installation distance between the transformer and the neon tube should be as short as possible, and be firmly fixed on the bracket, and the installation position that can be naturally waterproof should be adopted for installation. Insulation protection measures should be taken for the connecting wires at the input and output ends of neon transformer, and the metal shell of neon transformer should be grounded or connected to zero. The output capacity of neon transformer should match the length and quantity of lamp load, and the overload or underload of a single transformer should not exceed 5% of the lamp length. Normal startup under high and low temperature environment conditions, etc. These requirements are often ignored, and the accessibility and safety of billboards will be greatly reduced.

During the installation of neon transformer, the main problems of transformer installation quality are the fixation of transformer, rainproof measures, grounding protection against electric shock and the connection of transformer output.

4.3 Electrical connection:

Electrical connection refers to the connection between lamp, transformer, high and low voltage connecting wire, controller, power distribution cabinet, lightning protection and stomach installation, which is the key process of combining neon billboards into a system. The installation quality directly determines the availability and service life of billboards. Neon billboards have the characteristics of high output voltage (no-load open circuit voltage 15000V). Therefore, in order to achieve the specified creepage distance and electrical clearance, special attention should be paid to the safe wiring, connection feasibility and insulation protection of electrical connections.

4.3. 1 low-voltage wiring: the input conductor of low-voltage power supply for neon lamp project should be rubber sheathed or plastic sheathed multi-core conductor with sufficient current carrying capacity. The exposed protective grounding wire shall be yellow/green insulated copper wire, and the working neutral wire (neutral wire) shall be light blue plastic copper wire. For wiring of low-voltage wiring, the wires should be bound and fixed by insulating tie or fixing card, or the insulating layer should be protected and fixed by adding insulating sleeve. The minimum distance between indoor and outdoor insulated wires shall meet the requirements in the table below.

Table: Minimum distance between indoor and outdoor insulated conductors

Minimum conductor spacing (mm)

Fixed point distance (m) indoor wiring outdoor wiring

≤ 1.535 100

1.5—3.O50 100

3.0—6.070 100

≥6.O 100 150

The wiring of the primary side of the inductance transformer shall be fixed by the wiring cap.

In the installation of low-voltage wiring, the wiring of many billboard projects does not meet the requirements of the standard. For example, the minimum distance of wiring and the fixation of wiring are the most common problems, which are easy to cause quality accidents such as short circuit and have obvious unsafe hidden dangers.

4.3.2 High-voltage wiring: The connection of neon transformer output system shall comply with the provisions of creepage distance and electrical clearance. The creepage distance and electrical gap between the secondary output high-voltage lines of neon lamp transformer and between the high-voltage lines and the coating surface shall not be less than the following requirements (unit mm).

-minimum creepage distance: d =l 2 16 u

-Minimum electrical clearance: c = 9+4.5U.

Where U is the rated output voltage (unit kV) of the transformer at no load.

The output high voltage conductor of inductance transformer should be supported and fixed with high insulation material.

-Maximum distance between supports: 0.5m in horizontal direction and 0.75m in vertical direction.

—The distance between the support point and the building: not less than 5 Omm outdoors and not less than 4 0mm indoors.

The output high voltage conductor of electronic transformer should be supported and fixed with high insulation material.

-Maximum distance between supports: 0.5m in horizontal direction and 0.75m in vertical direction.

—The distance between the bearing point and the building: outdoor should not be less than 50 mm, indoor should not be less than 40 mm..

High-voltage conductor joints shall be fixed and protected by connecting caps, and shall not be bound with adhesive tape.

The voltage at the output end of neon transformer is as high as15000 V V. Among all the electrical connections, there are some problems in any one connection, such as: the connection point is virtually connected, it can't be fixed, there are burrs, the creepage distance between conductors and the electrical gap are less than the standard, and the high voltage output by the transformer will cause discharge, arcing and short circuit between the electrical connection and the metal billboard, resulting in electromagnetic interference, and the transformer can't continue to provide normal voltage for the lamps. In normal climate, this problem is not obvious. When the weather is very wet or rainy, it is easy to cause discharge, arcing and short circuit at the connection between the high voltage output terminal of the transformer and the metal billboard, which leads to the neon billboard stopping working.

At present, because the connection of high-voltage lines does not meet the requirements, the most quality problems occur. This problem exists in almost all quality disputes of neon billboards. It accounts for the highest proportion of quality complaints of all neon billboards.

4.3.3 Installation of neon lead through panel wall:

In order to prevent the wear and aging between the conductor and the wall of the piercing plate, causing ignition, arcing and discharge, so that the lamp tube can not work normally, rubber or plastic insulating sheath and protective nozzle should be used for the conductor penetrating part of the neon lamp tube, and the conductor should be fixed at the entrance and exit.

The failure of neon line to pass through the board wall correctly is the root cause of short-circuit discharge of electrical appliances, and it will also lead to partial or total failure of neon billboards.

5. There are three kinds of problems in the quality complaints and judicial arbitration of a large number of neon billboards accepted by our center: the installation of lamps, the installation of neon transformers and the connection of electrical appliances. Among them, the quality problems of electrical connections are the most.

I hope it can arouse the full attention of friends in the neon industry, strive to reduce the quality problems existing in the above installation and improve the overall level of neon billboards.

Date of issue: [2004- 12-4] *** read [552 times]

It is understood that "Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of China Neon Association" and "2004 National Neon Annual Meeting" will be held in Jinan from June to123 October 2004. The meeting will review the great development achievements of China Neon in the past ten years, report the main work of China Neon Association in the past ten years, and mobilize the work of "China Neon Enterprise Qualification Certification". At the same time, the logo design draft of "Neon Committee of China Advertising Association" and "Excellent Works of National XX Cup Neon Advertisement in 2003" were exhibited and selected. During the meeting, Neon's "enterprise website construction" will be evaluated at the same time to promote the enterprise website construction; Hold "neon advertising, decoration and neon product display"; Exchange of experience, etc. Meeting and sign-in place: Shandong Lishan Building, Dawei 2nd Road 18, Jinan. Check-in time: 2004 1 1.20. The new book "Introduction to Neon LED Technology" edited by Fudan University professor (doctoral supervisor) has been published by Lighting and Lighting magazine, and the price is 46 yuan per copy. This book is divided into two parts. The first part of "Neon Lamp" takes the neon lamp production technology as the main line, introducing the basic knowledge of light, electricity and vacuum that neon lamp production must understand, focusing on the practical technologies such as design method, production technology, lighting technology and operation focus of neon lamps in China in recent years, as well as the materials, equipment, installation methods, quality standards and environmental pollution prevention of neon lamps. The next "LED" is a hot topic in the neon light industry at present, so it is necessary to know and master the knowledge of LED light source. This book introduces the development, performance, application and market trend of LED light source, the characteristics of LED light source, the electrical control method of LED lamp in lighting engineering, the application of LED in lighting engineering and the cost performance of LED and neon lamp. LED is rich in color, low in energy consumption, small in size, long in service life and widely used. With the progress of science and technology, the innovation of raw materials and the perfection of tooling and equipment, it will bring revolutionary influence to lighting in the new century. As neon designers, we should try our best to master the latest knowledge, manufacturing technology and usage of LED. Renew the design concept, skillfully integrate neon lights and LEDs in lighting, give full play to their respective advantages, complement each other, and create more excellent neon lights. 2004 China (Guangzhou) International Neon Exhibition and Asia-Pacific Neon Development Forum were successfully held. The 2004 China (Guangzhou) International Neon Exhibition and Asia-Pacific Neon Development Forum, sponsored by the Neon Committee of China Advertising Association (in preparation) and undertaken by Guangzhou Xinya Exhibition Service Co., Ltd., was held in the exhibition hall of Guangzhou China Export Commodities Fair from March 26th to 29th. This exhibition has attracted great attention from the leaders of Guangdong Advertising Association and China Advertising Association. Mr. Sun, leader of Guangdong Broadcasting Association, director of Provincial Administration for Industry and Commerce and deputy secretary general of China Broadcasting Association, cut the ribbon and delivered a speech. In addition to domestic enterprises and enterprises in Hong Kong, Taiwan and other provinces, there are also foreign exhibitors from Italy, the United States and South Korea. Exhibitors include neon lights, neon equipment, accessories, computer program controllers and neon lighting equipment. There are also several LEDs. This exhibition attracted domestic manufacturers, who exhibited new products and technologies developed in recent years, such as the color double-layer powder-coated fluorescent tubes of Guangzhou Jingsheng Neon Electronics Co., Ltd. and the series of various electronic transformers of Guangzhou Salvage Bureau Electronic Equipment Factory. The varieties on display are: color change, winding, voice control, self-flashing, writing, gradient color change, dark light, super bright and so on. In this exhibition, more than ten kinds of equipment and vacuum systems are exhibited for visitors to communicate, as well as complete sets of equipment such as H-tube forming machine, cutting machine and flat cutting machine. Italian, American, Korean and other China exhibitors exhibited neon transformer, pink tube, computer color-changing program controller and automatic and semi-automatic vacuum system. It provides opportunities for domestic merchants to communicate. Shanghai Mingchang exhibited a totally enclosed impulse transformer at the exhibition, which is safer to use than the exposed impulse transformer currently used in China. The scale and specifications of this exhibition are the best since I held it. Nanhai Huanba: Nanhai Xingguang, Zhejiang Yongdian and Guangzhou New Guang Mei carefully designed and manufactured our booth, showing their strength and products, reaching the level of special exhibition and contributing to the exhibition scale. During the exhibition, the Asia-Pacific Neon Development Forum was held on the afternoon of 26th. Speakers at the forum include: Mr. An from China-Nepal Association gave a welcome speech, and Le·, Chairman of the Technical Committee of the European Label Industry Association; Mr Steven said "the evolution of neon technology in Europe", and Mr Vinai silapsiliporn, Chairman of Thailand Billboard Industry Association, said "the development of neon in Thailand", Fausto & #183, Technical Director of Ying Si Transformer Factory; Mr Martin said, "Programming of neon transformer and application of protective device". Mr. Lin Shaozhi, general manager of Zhuhai Nanyuxing Electronics Co., Ltd. said "the development of neon electronic transformer technology", and Mr. Peng, an engineer of Guangzhou Rihui Lighting Factory, said "the discussion on some quality problems of neon lights". Chinese and foreign guests had friendly exchanges on the technical problems of neon lights, and the atmosphere of on-site question and answer was rich. The conference room that can accommodate more than 100 people is full. This exhibition also exhibited more than 20 outstanding neon advertising works selected by the whole country. More than 1 0,000 people visited the exhibition, and the number of visitors from the neon industry reached10,000. Foreign businessmen visiting this exhibition include Canada, the United States, Australia, Italy, Britain, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. When visiting the exhibition, some foreign businessmen will take the initiative to ask, negotiate business and ask for samples with exhibitors, and some even go to the factory to discuss cooperation intentions. Foreign exhibitors also took the initiative to discuss technical issues related to neon lights with the organizers, showing great interest in this exhibition. I hope they can be invited to the next exhibition. This exhibition is the first "International Neon Exhibition" held in China, and its scale, grade, number of products on display, variety grade and number of professional visitors are the highest ever. The popularity of the scene was overwhelming, the trading atmosphere was warm, and exhibitors received good benefits. Exhibitors generally believe that this exhibition has enhanced the overall image and status of the neon industry, and hope to hold such an exhibition again next year, leading domestic enterprises to go abroad, showing the new features of China neon lights to the world, and pushing China neon lights to the world. The new neon standard GB 1 9261-2003+0-2003 "General Requirements and Safety Requirements for Neons" has been issued by People's Republic of China (PRC) and China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, and has been implemented since February12004. Some contents in the standard are mandatory. GB 19 149-2003 "general requirements and safety requirements for transformers (neon transformers) for tubular discharge lamps with no-load output voltage exceeding 1000V" has been issued by People's Republic of China (PRC) and the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of China, and has been implemented since February 1 2004. All technical contents are as follows. "2003 National Neon Annual Meeting" was successfully held in Nanjing. The "2003 National Neon Annual Meeting" sponsored by the Neon Committee of China Advertising Association was held in Nanjing from 22 to 24 October on/kloc-0. 109 member representatives and 67 fellow guests from all over the country attended the meeting. Director Han Shengdong of China Broadcasting Association and other relevant leaders attended the meeting and delivered speeches. Shao, leader of the preparatory leading group of the Neon Committee of China Broadcasting Association, made a work report to the conference. Neon lights usher in another development opportunity. The report said that since the Shenyang Conference was held one year ago, with the sustained, rapid and healthy development of the national economy, a new leap in economic and social development has been achieved, and tourism, commerce, catering, culture and entertainment in various places have become increasingly prosperous. More and more cities have incorporated lighting and beautification projects into urban construction and development planning, and neon lights have become an indispensable night culture. Under the guidance of the strategic policy of developing the western region and revitalizing the northeast economy, under the situation that the Yangtze River Delta, the Pearl River Delta and the Yangtze River Basin develop interactively and promote regional economic development, the development of neon lights has ushered in new development opportunities. It is shown in the following aspects: 1 and after SARS, with the recovery of the tertiary industry, tourism and cultural and entertainment industry, the development of neon lights has attracted the attention of all parties. In order to eliminate the impact of SARS, restore popularity and stimulate the business atmosphere, some local governments have accelerated the planning of urban lighting and beautification, taking neon lights as an important light source for lighting projects. Many catering, entertainment and cultural units even use neon lights as an important source to increase the festive atmosphere. With the development of urban construction, neon advertising at night has become an indispensable media for relevant departments to plan outdoor advertising positions. 2. The busy neon business is also reflected in the growth of neon processing and export. 3. The quality of neon engineering and equipment is also improved with the increase of output, especially for neon enterprises in some big cities. From practice, we realize that "honesty" is not only manifested in the spread of business reputation, but also in the reputation of product quality. Only by doing a good job in product quality and reassuring customers can we truly safeguard the reputation of enterprises. Guangdong is the main base for producing electronic transformers in China. The output and quality have been improved this year, which has contributed to the development of neon lights. The technology of electronic program controller has been improved and developed, and the developed intelligent gradient controller has been improved and improved in speed regulation and remote control. You can also directly modify the replacement program through the office microcomputer and add normally open switches to create favorable conditions for the maintenance of neon lights.