Well in that case I'll just share what I have learned working with ELs. The EL itself is like a thin foil with a phosphorus coating, the foil is split into a + and - side. The wires usually are attached with some sort of pressed/crimped connector that is punched through the foil if the connector isn't making good connection with the foil then things don't work. If the connectors are not supported properly to begin with then they can work free of the conducting surface of the EL even though they look like they are a solid connection.
This is just one place that sells ELs
http://www.e-lite.com/