In September 2004 we had begun addressing the subject of “Wet? Damp? or Dry?” in reference to electric sign installation locations. Now, before that subject passes from memory, let’s proceed on with one aspect of that topic which is a more in-depth view of wet location high voltage installations.
There are many aspects to consider when installing any piece of electrical equipment in a wet location. In the sign industry, where the specialized use of the high voltage that powers neon is an important aspect, location becomes even more critical. 

Woody’s, Golden, Colo., by Rusch Signs & Graphics, Littleton, Colo.

CLARIFICATION OF TERMS
To add to the confusion we are laden with terms like rainproof, raintight, watertight, weatherproof, and weather resistant. All of these adjectives mean something different and exert influences, which must be addressed. From here all of these elements have to be broken down into categories of either damp or wet locations.

Paraphrasing the National Electrical Code (NEC), Article 100—Definitions:

Rainproof: means constructed, protected or treated as to prevent rain from interfering with the successful operation of the apparatus under specific conditions.
Raintight: means constructed or protected so that exposure to a beating rain will not result in the entrance of water under specific test conditions.
Watertight: means constructed so that no moisture will enter the enclosure under specific test conditions.
Weatherproof: means constructed or protected so that exposure to weather will not interfere with successful operations.

Orientation is critical in maintaining a component’s listing. (Drawing by Ed DeZuzio)

THE FINE PRINT
To this last definition, a FPN (Fine Print Note) appears that states “Rainproof, raintight or watertight equipment can fulfill the requirements for waterproof where varying weather conditions other than wetness, such as snow, ice, dust, or temperature extremes, are not a factor.”
To add a personal note to the above FPN, being from Northern Vermont has made us very cognizant in structuring our installations to handle the aforementioned varying weather extremes. Ice and snow along with great swings in temperature were ongoing winter conditions that we frequently had to face. (Talk about Argon/mercury filled tubes and cold weather gases—but I guess that’s a whole other story.)
Okay, with a fistful of definitions pointed toward the electrical code, let’s examine some of the components created for our industry and how those creations fit into this “wet” orientation discipline. A big portion of our problem lies with projects involving “field installed skeleton tubing”, “outline lighting”, and “remote channel displays”.
The reason for this is all of our other types of displays must be listed as complete units and installed in conformance with those listings. Again, as stated in my November column, we must fully understand not only the NEC and CEC (with its wiring methods for wet locations) but also, the listing criteria of UL 879 for sign components, etc.
Under this wet location “umbrella”, UL 879 classifies components according to their suitability for wet, damp and dry locations. The “conditions of usage” found here is the best resource to determine which product to use in a given situation.

PROTECTING ELECTRODES
Let’s begin by covering the three most popular electrode enclosures and their permitted methods of protecting luminous tubing electrodes in inclement conditions. These three components are the polymeric electrode boot (Electrobits), the G*-Cup glass electrode enclosure (available from Transco), and Masters Technology’s “wet” location polymeric enclosures. All of these components may be utilized in “wet” or “damp” locations. However, with those treatments are specific conditions of use.
Listed open polymeric electrode boots, although “waterproof” components by composition, are not listed to be used in direct contact with the elements, but must be sheltered to keep them from direct exposure to the elements.
The drawing illustrates the degree of angle which is required to shelter the component and, in many respects, this drawing sets up the criteria for converting most “wet” locations into “damp” oriented locations. The good thing about this type of installation is it also orients the neon tubing in such a manner that it is protected from the natural harm of direct downpours as well as many other environmental abuses.
The G*-Cup is listed for use in “wet” locations and is one of the safest electrode enclosure products for most types of field wiring due to the high temperature ratings of its borosilicate glass composition, (a minimum of 593 degrees C), and the fact that glass doesn’t degrade over time. Nevertheless, it comes with expressed usage criteria for “wet” locations. As seen in Figure 2, the orientation of the cylinder’s opening is critical in maintaining its listing.
In a way the physical structure of the G*-Cup is used just like the first component we examined where the building eaves act as protection in keeping the electrodes dry. One really good asset I’ve found about the glass cup enclosure is, when oriented per its listing, not only are the electrodes kept dry but also the electrodes are positioned in such a manner that no moisture of any nature builds up underneath the cap. Lack of a place for water and moisture to accumulate helps insure longevity and a trouble-free crafted install.

SOLVING PROBLEMS
The next component is the Masters Technology “wet” location polymeric boot and sleeving system. Notice the word system, because this is exactly the way it must be installed. These components seem to be increasing in popularity and provide a legitimate solution to code compliance.
During many years of installing as well as servicing neon, we were called in to resolve a few Masters’ installations that were started by other sign companies. These companies had already run into problems with local AHJ’s (Authorities Having Jurisdiction) as to their execution of the listing criteria. With that in mind let me give you some key points I’ve learned to look for.
While Masters has obtained a listing to utilize its polymeric sleeving in a wet location as a raceway, that raceway cannot be concealed inside a wall. Therefore, while the polymeric listed sleeving can be run for exposed wet location border tubing, in places where the GTO cable penetrates a wall or soffit, the sleeving must be transitioned to one of the approved wireways found in Chapter 3 of the NEC—that is, flexible metallic conduit, EMT, etc.

The listing for this product application (in “wet” locations) is as a system and not just as a specific component (see Figure 3). This means all of its components must be assembled exactly according to instruction. For example, one of the biggest failures I’ve witnessed is the exclusion of the termination plate (see Figure 4), which transitions from a listed code-compliant raceway inside of a wall to the polymeric listed tubing traveling outside the wall to the electrode. You just can’t silicon a flex or EMT connector from a high voltage run into a piece of wood and then jam a listed piece of polymeric sleeving into that connector.
Paying attention to installation instruction details, as well as following common sense practices regarding component orientation has nothing to do with whether or not this or any other component complies with listings and codes but rather is a measure that sign folk can take to assure a far greater amount of dependability and longevity.
As we think back over the points discussed in this article, remember that within most electrical installations the point of connecting conductors is where problems usually occur. Add to that the element of high voltage and the misuse of sign industry components and it’s no wonder we have many problems.

But studying these drawings and visiting component manufacturers’ Web sites will not only give you a safer, but also a far less problematic display.