Repairing Exterior Neon Sign With Melted Wire
I am in the process of rewiring an exterior neon sign. The neon sign consists of 6 separate neon tubes with a combined length of approximately 40 feet. The neon tubes are daisy chained together until the last one and the one next to it which are each hooked up to the transformer (two wires are connected to the transformer). The one of the two wires connecting the transformer to the neon sign previous melted. The type of wire was 14 gauge high temperature wire (copper in the center surrounded by a thick jacket, I believe it's rated for 90 degrees). The transformer is rated for 15,000 volts, 4.25 amps, 30 mA, 60 hz. I have a couple questions.
1) What would cause the wire to melt (bad transformer, too many neon tubes connected, too small of a wire)?
2) Is there a thicker wire available that would avoid this (like 12 gauge with a thicker jacket) and what temperature should it be rated for?
3) Is there a high temperature conduit available to run the wire through (it needs to be flexible). I checked Home Depot, and saw flexible conduit for use underground and/or liquid-proof but it did not say if it was rated for high temperatures.
Thank you.
Comment on tkrussell's post
Just to confirm so I have a clearer idea of the project when speaking with an installer:
1) The wiring must be rated for 15,000 volts. Is 14 gauge high temperature wire (copper in the center surrounded by a thick jacket) rated for this? I ask because it was used to daisy-chain the tubes together and I would like to know if it needs replaced. If it does need replaced could you please let me know what gauge and brand of wire (preferably with a link) would work?
2) Could you elaborate (or post a link) on what you mean by proper penetrations?
Thank you.
Comment on stanfortyman's post
Thanks for you help Stanfortyman & tkrussell. I just saw a 15,000 volt jacob's ladder video on YouTube. I will definitely get an installer to handle this one.