Where do i connect power cables to the circuit?
If your board is the common EK-04 Christmas-light controller, the power cable connects to the two right-most pads/pins of the 6-pin row on the controller PCB. In the repair threads for this exact controller, those two pads were identified as the 230 V AC mains input. (elektroda.com)
Do not connect the power cable to the other four/five pads in that row. On these EK-04 boards, the left side pads are for the LED string common/output channels, not for the mains input. (elektroda.com)
The EK-04 controller is not just a simple connector block; it is a mains-powered LED sequencer. The incoming AC supply goes first into the board’s mains/rectifier section, and the remaining pins go out to the LED channels controlled by switching devices on the PCB. That is why reconnecting the cable to the wrong pads can cause abnormal behavior such as one section staying on continuously or only alternate LEDs lighting. (elektroda.com)
For the common 6-pin EK-04 layout reported in the repair discussions:
So, in practical terms:
If you previously bypassed the controller and tied output wires together, that explains why the lights may stay permanently on or why only every second LED illuminates: these strings are commonly split into multiple controlled channels. (elektroda.com)
Recent forum discussion about the same EK-04 family still describes the board the same way: power on the right, LED/common connections on the left. (forum.allaboutcircuits.com)
A relevant current safety point is that some EK-04 light strings have appeared in Safety Gate notifications for inadequate insulation and electric-shock risk. That means you should treat this as a mains-hazard repair, not a low-voltage hobby circuit. (mccaa.org.mt)
A useful way to think about the connector is:
| Pad area | Function |
|---|---|
| Right-most 2 pads | AC input from the wall supply |
| Left / middle pads | LED common and switched outputs |
This matches the reported EK-04 troubleshooting threads and explains why the controller cannot be treated like a simple two-wire LED strip driver. (elektroda.com)
Because this is potentially 230 V mains equipment, incorrect repair can create:
If the insulation, cable entry, or controller housing is damaged, replacement of the controller or the entire light set may be safer than repair. That is especially important for outdoor or holiday lighting. (mccaa.org.mt)
Before reconnecting anything:
There are multiple EK-04-style variants. So this answer is correct if your board matches the common mains-powered 6-pin EK-04 layout discussed in the repair sources. (elektroda.com)
If you want, send a clear photo of both sides of the PCB, and I can tell you exactly which two pads are the power input on your specific board.
If you continue with the repair, the next useful checks are:
For a typical EK-04 controller, connect the power cable to the two pads on the far right of the 6-pin connector row. The other pads are LED outputs/common and should not receive mains power. Because these controllers are often 230 V AC and EK-04 light strings have documented insulation-related shock risks, repair carefully and only when fully unplugged. (elektroda.com)
If you upload a photo, I can mark the exact pads for you.