TruEL™ Wire · Comparison
TruEL™ vs
Standard EL Wire
Not sure which wire to buy? This side-by-side covers every major difference — construction, brightness, power draw, connection systems, inverter requirements, and ideal use cases. Read this before you order.
Full Comparison
| Standard EL Wire | TruEL™ Wire | |
|---|---|---|
| Diameter | 2.6mm | 4mm |
| Core construction | Central core + angel hair wires | Dual reinforced solid cores |
| Brightness | Standard | Brighter; overdrive +30–40% |
| Power draw per foot | Lower (~0.08–0.10W) | Higher (~0.15–0.20W) |
| Connection system | EZ Snap or solder | Locking dual-core connector |
| Connection reliability | Good | High — resists vibration |
| Inverter compatibility | Wide — standard EL inverters | TruEL-rated inverters only |
| Outdoor rating | Varies | IP65, UV-stabilized |
| Vibration resistance | Moderate | High |
| Bend / flex durability | Good | Higher — no fragile corona wires |
| Price per foot | Lower | Higher |
| Best for | Hobby, costume, light-duty installs | Stage, auto, pro wearables, installs |
Which Wire is Right for Your Project?
Choose Standard EL Wire if...
Standard EL Wire
- You already have standard EL Wire inverters
- Budget is a primary constraint
- Hobby use or a one-off costume project
- No vibration or heavy movement involved
- Thinner diameter is preferred
- Indoor use with light duty cycling
Choose TruEL™ Wire if...
TruEL™ Wire
- Stage, live performance, repeated setup/teardown
- Automotive with vibration exposure
- Professional wearable or touring costume
- Outdoor or semi-permanent installation
- Maximum brightness from EL is required
- Connection reliability is critical
Upgrading from Standard EL?
You will want to replace your inverter when switching to TruEL. Your existing EL Wire inverters, while compatible will not allow your TruEL Wire to glow as brightly as possible. We recommend TruEL Wire inverters which output the proper voltage and frequency to illuminate the wire. Plan for that cost in your project budget.
The Power Draw Difference Explained
TruEL Wire draws roughly twice as much current per foot as standard EL Wire. If you use the same footage calculation you would use for standard EL, your TruEL inverter will be undersized.
Example: A 10-foot standard EL Wire run might draw ~1W total. A 10-foot TruEL Wire run draws ~1.5–2W total. Your inverter needs to handle that full load with headroom to spare.
See the inverter selection guide for specific inverter recommendations by wire footage.
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