What is Electroluminescent Wire?
Electroluminescent wire is a decorative, flexible wire that glows much like neon. Other names include EL wire, EL fiber, EL cable and glow wire. It generates no heat and can be taped or glued to almost any surface. Electroluminescent wire is copper wire covered with phosphorus then wrapped with two thin transmitter wires, sealed in a plastic skin. It requires AC and inverters or drivers can be purchased for use with DC. There are many different models of drivers available. A 9-volt inverter will brightly drive about 14 feet (4 meters) of electroluminescent wire, while a 12-volt inverter will brightly drive up to 120 feet (36.5 meters). The longer the wire, the less brightly the length will glow at a given frequency. Connecting less than 3 feet (about 1 meter) should be avoided as it might overload the driver. Other power sources can also be used, with a limiting resistor to step down the power, or a transformer to step it up, as in the case of using a low-powered amplifier. Electrolumi
