Neon sign transformer module and receptacle

A method of replacing a first transformer on a neon sign having a neon sign secondary contact, the first transformer having a first secondary contact configured to mate with the neon sign secondary conatact, the method comprising:

• providing a replacement transformer having a replacement secondary contact configured to mate with the neon sign secondary contact;
• unplugging the first transformer from the neon sign, wherein the act of unplugging electrically deactivates the first secondary contact prior to the physical disengagement of the first secondary contact from the neon sign secondary contact;
• and
• plugging the replacement transformer into the neon sign.

A removable transformer module for use in a neon sign including a receptacle for receiving the removable transformer module, the receptacle being configured to mate with the removable transformer module as the removable transformer module is plugged into the receptacle in order to connect the removable transformer module to the neon sign, the receptacle including secondary contacts, the removable transformer module comprising:

• a transformer for transforming a primary input into a secondary output having a voltage greater than the primary input;
• secondary contacts for connecting the secondary output of the transformer to the neon sign when the removable transformer module is connected to the neon sign, the secondary contacts of the removable transformer module being configured to mate with the secondary contacts of the receptacle as the removable transformer module is plugged into the receptacle thereby electrically connecting the secondary output of the transformer to the neon sign;
• and
• at least a portion of a deactivating arrangement for deactivating the secondary contacts of the removable transformer module in response to and as a result of the removable transformer module being unplugged from the receptacle.