How to Wire Several Neon Lights to One Switch

Neon lights are tubes of glass filled with an inert gas that emits light when energized by a high electrical voltage. The high voltage is supplied by a transformer that steps up 120VAC into 1000 to 3000 VAC. The gases sealed in the long glass tubes dictate the amount of high voltage they need to emit light. By following a basic set of procedures, you can wire several neon lights together through the low voltage side by a switch. This enables different high voltage transformers to be controlled by a single voltage source.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• High voltage transformers for neon lights
• Access to a 120 VAC circuit wires
• Switch box
• Screws
• Wire strippers
• Wire pliers
• Wire nuts
• Screwdriver
• Switch cover plate

1. Remove all electrical power from the supplying circuit you are going to feed the high voltage transformers. This can be accomplished by either switching "off" the circuit breaker or pulling the supply fuse.

2. Install the switch box in a convenient place for the operation of the main switch. The box can be mounted by using either the supplied screws from the manufacturer or screws that are long enough to penetrate into a secure wood frame.

3. Run the power feed wires from the supply electrical lines into the switch box along with the electrical wires that feed the transformers. You should not overload the supply circuit of the electrical feed wires by supplying too many transformers. In other words, all of the transformers will have nameplates on the metal case that shows the overall load of the step up transformer. This overall load should not exceed the total rating of the fuse or circuit breaker.

4. Strip the outer insulation on the wires back one inch to expose the bare copper for a good electrical connection. Twist together all the white wires in the box, both the supply neutral wire and the white neutral wires that feed the transformers. You can use the wire pliers for making a good mechanical connection. Cover the twisted wires with a wire nut to insulate the terminations.

5. Connect the black wire from the power supply circuit to one of the screw terminals on the switch. Twist all the black wires that feed the transformers into a connection as you did the neutral wires in step 4. Cut a single jumper wire about 6 inches in length and strip both ends of the wire. Twist one end onto the twisted black wires from the transformers and cover the connection with a wire nut.

6. Attach the other end of the jumper wire to the second screw on the switch. Secure the termination with the screwdriver and install the switch into the box with the vendor-provided screws. Install the switch cover plate with the small screws in the plastic pack that came with the plate. Energize the circuit and test the neon lights.

Tips & Warnings

• Never switch the high side (high voltage) of the neon transformer as most common light switches are not made to handle the higher voltage. Most common light switches are rated for 600VAC or less.

References

• Electricity one-seven; Harry Mileaf; 1966