1. What is EL wire?

EL Wire, an abbreviation of Electroluminescent wire, is a thin Super flexible cable that Lights up when attached to a power source. It is made by coating Electroluminescent materials around a copper wire and then covered with plastic.

2. What is El Wire Used For?

The uses for El Wire are extremely wide ranging. Here are but a Few - Edge Lighting (around stages, stairs, pool tables, pools, etc...) In Cars, Motorcycles and boats Costumes - (the sequencers are super cool!) Party Centerpieces and Decorations Props for Movies (check out our Movies Page) Safety Lighting Art

3. Why are there so many different diameters / Thicknesses of El Wire?

The many different diameter of el wire are available to allow the wire to be used in many different applications. The thinnest diameter, which is 1.2mm is extremely flexible and allows for supper detailed work but is not very durable and is not weatherproof. The next diameter, 2.3 and 2.5HB (the new high brightness technology) are the standard wires used, they allow for a balance between flexibility and durability. The 3.2mm and 5mm wires are extremely durable and allow for outdoor use.

4. Should I buy Plug N' Play El Wire (Pre-connected) or connect the wire myself?

Most Stores that sell El wire will give you the option of buying Pre-made El Wire sections (commonly called Plug N' Play) in which you get a ready to use length of El Wire already connected to an inverter / driver. If however you choose to buy components, which means that you purchased El Wire that was not yet connected to an inverter, you will have to choose the correct inverter to power the length of wire you chose and then correctly solder the wire and inverter together. This will require a small degree of experience with electrical connections. The upside to soldering your own wire is that you will have exact control over you unit and components are always cheaper than a complete product. (compare it, in principle, to building your own computer - usually comes out cheaper than buying the entire piece assembled) For a pictorial walk through on connecting el wire please visit http://www.elbestbuy.com/doityourself.html

5. Is EL Wire Safe?

El Wire is Non-Toxic and contains no harmful chemicals. Although we still do not recommend eating it. ;) You should be aware that there was a claim made against Chinese manufactured wire stating that it contains cadmium.

6. Who makes El Wire?

El Wire is currently manufactured in many parts of the world. However the two main companies involved are Lytec and Wan Yu. Lytec originally produced the wire in 1996 and has since been copied by many Chinese companies. Lytec wire tends to be of higher quality.