Electric Sign Repair in Kenosha County Wisconsin
If You Need Electric Sign Repair in Kenosha County your first and only call should be to Nu Glo Signs serving Kenosha for over 4 decades. Electric Sign Repair in Kenosha County Wisconsin As a homeowner you probably remember the electric company sending you fluorescent lights to replace your incandescent lighting about 1o years ago (the traditional style of light bulb that uses a wire filament usually tungsten heated by electricity until it glows—a process called incandescence). Then just a few years later, the electric company sent you LED Lightbulbs, to replace the fluorescent bulbs, since they are even MORE cost effective and last longer than any other type of bulb. That was pretty much the timeline on business sign backlighting. The evolution of business sign backlighting has shifted from high-voltage, buzzing glass tubes to whisper-quiet, ultra-efficient digital pixels. It’s been a journey from “warm and flickering” to “surgical and smart.” Here is how the technology has evolved over the last 45 years. 1. The Era of Gas and Glass (1980s – 1990s) In the 80s and 90s, if a sign was glowing, it was likely filled with gas or a heavy glass tube. Neon: The gold standard for brand personality. It provided a 360-degree glow but required massive transformers and high voltage (up to 15,000 volts). It was artful but fragile and expensive to repair. Fluorescent Tubes (T12): This was the “workhorse” for large cabinet signs (the big rectangular boxes on poles). They were cheap but notorious for “striping” (shadows between bulbs) and failing in cold weather. Maintenance: High. If one bulb or transformer went out, a section of the brand’s identity went dark. 2. The Great Transition (2000s – 2010s) This period saw the “LED Revolution,” which effectively killed the fluorescent tube in the signage industry. Early LEDs: Initially, they were only used for small channel letters because they weren’t bright enough for large signs. They were mostly red or green (white LEDs took longer to perfect). The “Slim” Movement: Because LEDs are tiny, sign cabinets began to shrink. We moved from 8-inch deep boxes to 2-inch “slimline” signs. Safety & Savings: Businesses switched to LEDs not just for the look, but because they run on 12V or 24V (low voltage), which drastically reduced fire risks and slashed electricity bills by 70–80%. 3. The Modern Era: Smart & Sustainable (2020 – 2026) As of 2026, backlighting is no longer just “on or off.” It is integrated and intelligent. RGBW Modules: Most modern signs can now change colors via an app. A business can turn its logo pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month or red and green for the holidays with a swipe. Edge-Lit Acrylic: Instead of putting lights behind a letter, we now use “light-guided” acrylic where the LEDs sit on the edge, and the light is dispersed evenly through the material. This creates a perfectly smooth “halo” effect. Solar Integration: With the push for greener cities, we are seeing more “off-grid” backlit signs that use high-efficiency solar film on top of the cabinet to power the LEDs at night. Comparison Matrix: 1980 vs. 2026 Feature 1980 (Fluorescent/Neon) 2026 (LED/Smart Tech) Energy Use High (Wasted heat) Ultra-Low (90% Efficiency) Depth 5″ to 12″ deep 0.5″ to 3″ deep Lifespan 10,000–20,000 hours 50,000–100,000 hours Weather Flickers/Dims in cold Consistent in all temps Control Physical Timer Cloud-based / App controlled Why the shift matters today If you are looking at a business sign today, the biggest difference is Reliability. In 1980, a “burnt out” letter was a common sight (think of the classic trope of a “MOTEL” sign flickering into “TEL”). In 2026, LED modules are so redundant that even if one tiny diode fails, the rest of the sign stays perfectly lit. Are you planning a new sign for a storefront, or are you looking to retrofit an older “vintage” sign with modern internals? Nu Glo Signs can give you some tips on how to keep the “old school” look while using new tech for lighting the sign here in Kenosha. Business Sign Repair in Kenosha County – Nu Glo Sign Choosing Nu Glo Sign Services means partnering with a company that values experience, reliability, and customer satisfaction. As a family-owned business, we have nearly 45 years of experience. This means you can count on us for sign repair, new signs, or even installations of franchise signage. Wall Signage Pole Signage Road Signage Cabinet Signs Monument Signs Channel Letter Signs LED Channel Lettering LED Sign Conversions LED Moving Messages Wired Electric Lighting Parking Lot Lighting Indoor/Outdoor Lighting Neon Sign Repair 847-223-6160 or 847-417-2342