Thanks to the Physical Plant, the Michigan State University sign on the west side of Spartan Stadium will be shining brighter than ever, while also saving cash.

Skilled Trades Supervisor John Nurenberg, along with Electrician I Joshua Hamilton and Electrician II Michelle Babcock, teamed with Senior Associate Athletic Director Greg Ianni to replace the neon tubes in the old sign.

“Last year, the neon tubes were failing from the wind always pounding on them; a couple of tubes lost their gas and we had to go up there and fix it,” said Nurenberg.

Once it became apparent this problem would recur, Nurenberg spoke with Ianni about switching to LEDs, or light-emitting diodes.

Ianni approved the switch, and the new bulbs were installed.

“We hooked up the electrical," said Hamilton. "The sign people put the letters up, and we hooked up the bulbs to the transformers.”

According to Nurenberg, the new sign uses 10 times less electrical energy than the old one. It runs on four power packs, compared to the 17 transformers the former sign required.

The replacement was completed by Aug. 1, prior to the start of MSU's current football season.

 

 

September 24, 2009