The Line Down the Center - an explanation

Typically, electroluminescent lamps are made with a conductive bus bar around the
edges of the lamp to carry electrical current, which lights the lamp. This bus bar is usually
silk screened onto the lamp. Because the lamps have this bar running around the edges of the
lamp, custom cutting becomes more difficult.

However, lamps are manufactured differently. Every lamp, no
matter what the shape or size, will have a line down the center of the panel. This line is approximately
10/1000 of an inch (0.0254 cm) wide, and separates the rear aluminum electrode of the
lamp into two areas of equal size and symmetry. In essence then, the line is simply caused by
gouging out a thin strip of aluminum out of the back of the lamp. The two pieces of aluminum
are the primary conductive element of the lamp, replacing the typical conductive bus bar.

This manufacturing technique (“split electrode”) allows for the unique ability of a
lamp to operate with consistent luminance over great distances (hundreds or feet). It
also allows for the lamp to be cut into a wide variety of shapes and sizes.
The split rear electrode also enables the attachment of connectors at any place on the
lamp, so long as there is one connection on either side of the line.