A Sign Sentry monitoring system for monitoring lighting. The Sign Sentry system includes a plurality of current sensors for inductively sensing current passing through each lighting circuit. The sign sentry system includes a monitoring panel mounted proximate the signage electrical panel (typically inside the building) which encloses a processor, memory, analog-to-digital transducers, and a modem (connected to a telephone line). A plurality of current sensors are deployed in the signage junction box and are connected from the junction box into the monitoring panel to transducers for converting the sensed current levels to digitized current levels. A software program sequentially polls the sensed current in each lighting circuit, and the current levels are compared to predetermined daytime and nighttime thresholds. If a fault condition is detected the processor generates and stores an error code in memory, the fault code comprising an indication of the site, affected lighting circuit, and nature of the fault. The processor then activates the modem to dial a central monitoring station and transmit the error code, whereby the fault can be reported out to responsible persons by telephone, voice mail, pagers, email and/or voice email.