Design Guidelines for Exterior Signaling Applications of Red and Amber Neon

Advancements in neon lamp and electronic technologies are bringing within reach even the most difficult of applications, such as front turn signals. Designs must take into account all interacting factors that can impact system performance such as color, peak candela, off-axis light distributions, and electromagnetic emissions. A brief review is given as to how neon discharges function. Experimental data for the following design factors are examined: lamp diameter and length, power/frequency, reflector shape/design, audience angle, lens color and EMI shielding. Based on current development status, families of curves showing system power as a function of reflector height/length are presented for use by designers as guidelines for international applications.