Sylvan Signs Glossary - N-O
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nameplate:
A small wall-mounted or freestanding
sign made of plastic or metal
that states the name, occupation
and/or title of the occupant
of an office, desk or building.
National Electric
Code (NEC): A
set of codes and standards
set forth by the National
Fire Protection Association
(NFPA) for the safe use
of electrical wiring and
equipment.
NEC (National Electric
Code): A set of
codes and standards set
forth by the National Fire
Protection Association
(NFPA) for the safe use
of electrical wiring and
equipment.
negative space:
Empty or unused space (having
no lettering or graphics)
within the sign face. (Also
called white space. See also
positive space.)
neon gas:
An inert gas that remains
colorless in its natural
state. When a sufficient
electrical charge is applied
to neon gas, it produces
a distinct orange-red glow.
neon lamp:
1. A lamp that utilizes electrically
charged neon gas contained
within a vacuum tube (typically
clear) to generate light.
2. A general term that refers
to any lamp utilizing an
inert gas.
neon sign:
A sign that incorporates
one or more neon lamps. The
sign message is created by
bending and forming the neon
tubes into lettering and/or
iconic graphical shapes.
neon tubing:
The vacuum tubing (typically
clear) used to hold the inert
gas (neon gas) used in a
neon lamp. Neon tubing can
be bent and formed into almost
any shape to create lettering
and iconic graphics. The
color of the tubing and coatings
applied to it may alter the
color of the light emitted.
neoprene:
A type of synthetic rubber
with good resistance chemical,
oil, flame and abrasion.
It remains flexible in cold
conditions is commonly used
for gaskets, cushioning and
weatherproofing.
nickel plating:
A thin, protective finish
made of nickel that is applied
to a surface using an electrochemical
process. It is commonly used
as an undercoating for subsequent
plating.
notched:
Describes channel letters
that have been cut out in
the back in order to fit
over a raceway, conduit or
other object protruding from
the mounting wall or substrate.
nylon:
A strong and durable synthetic
material used in a wide range
of fibers/fabrics, objects
and coatings.
Occupational Safety
and Health Administration
(OSHA): A U.S.
federal government agency
that monitors and enforces
workplace safety laws.
off-premise sign:
A sign that is not located
on or directly adjacent to
the business or property
to which it relates. A billboard
is an example of an off-premise
sign. (See also on-premise
sign.)
oil canning:
Refers to the occurrence
of slight buckling or waviness
in a metal surface due to
insufficient thickness of
the material or inadequate
support behind it.
on-premise sign:
Any sign that is located
on or directly adjacent to
the business or property
to which it relates. (See
also off-premise sign.)
opaque:
Describes any material or
substance through which light
does not pass, i.e. it is
neither transparent nor translucent.
open channel letter:
A channel letter with returns
that project forward from
face of letter such that
the neon tubing is visible.
OSHA (Occupational
Safety and Health Administration):
A U.S. federal government
agency that monitors and
enforces workplace safety
laws.
outgas:
1. The removal of gases trapped
within a solid substance
by heating it until the gases
escape. 2. The escape of
gases from a solid or liquid
which occurs naturally over
time.
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Signs today at 503.430.8072!
