Description
Fabricate, install, and service neon and cold-cathode lighting and sign systems. Bend and process glass tubes, wire high-voltage transformers and GTO cable, mount and weatherproof sign components, and troubleshoot performance issues. Ensure compliance with NEC Article 600 and safety regulations, including proper handling of glass, gases, and mercury.
- • Fabricate, install, test, and maintain neon and cold-cathode sign systems, including tubing, GTO wiring, transformers, and supports.
- • Diagnose flicker, outages, shorts, or grounding faults in neon circuits and correct problems.
- • Connect GTO leads, electrodes, and primary wiring to neon sign transformers and control gear.
- • Inspect signs and electrical components for hazards, gas or mercury leaks, or code violations; document needed repairs.
- • Advise clients on unsafe sign operation or structural hazards and recommend shutdown or repair.
- • Test tube integrity, leakage, and circuit continuity with milliamp meters, hi-pot testers, and voltmeters to verify safety.
- • Maintain required licenses, permits, and certifications for sign electrical work.
- • Plan layouts for sign placement, transformer locations, and GTO routing per drawings and local codes.
- • Direct or train apprentices and installers in neon fabrication, handling, and safe installation practices.
- • Read patterns and blueprints; prepare full-size layouts and templates for tube bending and mounting.
- • Use ribbon burners, crossfires, hand torches, bombarder, and vacuum manifold, as well as meters and hand/power tools.
- • Install grounding and bonding for sign structures; connect primary power to transformers and disconnects.
- • Maintain records, work orders, and material logs; order glass, electrodes, transformers, and supplies.
- • Repair or replace broken tubes, electrodes, GTO wiring, housings, and weatherproofing components.
- • Work from ladders, aerial lifts, or rooftops to install and service exterior and interior signs.
- • Route GTO cable through conduit or raceways; install standoffs and supports to maintain clearances.
- • Mount transformer enclosures, disconnect switches, time clocks, and junction boxes for sign power.
- • Perform physically demanding tasks such as lifting signs, drilling mounts, and handling large glass sections.
- • Provide patterns, shop drawings, and cost estimates for fabrication, installation, or repair services.
- • Provide emergency service for damaged signs by securing sites, de-energizing circuits, and deploying temporary lighting.
- • Bend and splice glass tubing, attach electrodes, pump down, and gas-fill tubes per specifications.
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
