There
are a lot of illumination sources for channel letter. Now, the best illumination
is neon, followed by coldcathode. However, as LED technology continues to
advance in quality, brightness, color and energy efficiency, Lighting Emitting
Diode(LED) lighting sources are gaining in its market share.
Produced in 1910, Neon tube has been the best illumination
source compared to other lighting systems. The sign industry has long strived to
develop a substitute for neon tube. Unquestionably, LED technology is another
resource. Yet, a new lighting system must always be investigated to determine
its best applications.
Energy Savings
LED(Light Emitting Diode)'s red,
green and blue colors can be combined to create more than two million color
options. LED, which provides text or motion graphics, is a lighting resource for
electric billboards. LEDs' color is determined by the chip material. Youn
Chuljo, the sales manager of Nexon Co., Ltd., released that the lighting system
provides energy savings, a long lifespan and high efficiency with no fear of
arcing or fires. LED, first applied to traffic lights and to vehicle tail
light-lights, beginning to expand its application to signage. Since 2000, a
small portion of LED illumination resources have been used for channel letters.
Due to low-voltage usage, LED could reduce the risk of fire and save energy.
Moreover, LEDs provide extraordinary energy savings of 80~90%. The user of LEDs
could cut down electricity charges and maintenance rates. In the case of ten
channel letters of 3.9×3.9 ft., LEDs consume only 290W. The source of LEDs'
electric power is one tenth smaller than a neon transformer, which allows for
easy maintenance. In terms of its lifespan, LED lighting system guarantees a
lifetime of more than 1,000,000-hours. Namely, if each LED lamp is used for 20
hours a day, the user can use it for approximate 13 years without any need of
replacing lamps. Further, LED systems are gaining popularity because of their
high resistance to vibration and weather caused by wind or handling during
installation.
Three Types of Lighting System
According to the
type of LEDs, illumination resources for channel letter, could come in three
types. The First type is a rail system, which connects each LED module with an
electric wire. Thanks to its flexibility, the rail system can be easily attached
to the shape of the channel letter. With a built-in circuit, it provides a
custom sized product. For changing the entire sign, LEDs can be recycled into
other types of signs. Additionally, its small configuration is most useful for
P.O.P display systems and thin channel letter. The Second type is an
emitting-surface technology. An emitting-surface technology maintains consistent
brightness by precisely controlling the brightness of each color. Because LEDs
emits equally bright lights, the entire channel letter is kept clear. Also,
because of its high-quality material, LEDs is resistant to shock. The third
system is a rope LEDs, which has recently been developed. Rope LED features high
flexibility in that each LED module is placed in a soft PVC tube. Rope LEDs is
easy to install even on curved channel letter.
Bright Future As a New
Lighting System
Even though LEDs provides high performance in color,
energy efficiency and longevity, light output should also be considered. In
other words. How bright is LEDs? In physics, we recognize gas-tube systems
indeed have a higher luminous flux than LEDs. In fact, LEDs are monochromatic
and are directional light sources. LEDs emits lights in a narrow spectrum, and
the majority of lights will pass through the face of the same color. As a
result, LED systems are visually brighter. So far, LEDs has been considered a
complicated system to install and maintain. However, as mentioned above, LEDs
technology continues to advance in many ways. Thus, the user can purchase LEDs
system of any size. They need to only put a plug in an outlet and that is all
users have to do. As for its cost, the price of LED is twice as much as other
lighting systems. The initial LED cost will be higher. However, energy savings
and low maintenance cost save much more money in the long term. Many signmakers
wonder if LED will replace neon. LEDs is not yet a perfect illumination resource
for channel letter. To replace neon, LEDs initial cost needs to be more
competitive and LED technology must continue to evolve. However, LEDs has bright
future as a new lighting system. | |
