We have studied inorganic electroluminescence characteristics of an alternating current powder electroluminescent (ACPEL) cell based upon ZnS:Tm, Li phosphors. A detailed assessment of the device technology and attempts to relate material qualities (thin and thick film) has been made. The characteristics showed electroluminescence and photoluminescence spectra clearly dominated by a blue emission band (477 nm, 2.6 eV, (1)G(4)-->H-3(6)). The near-IR band (801 nm, 1.55 eV, F-3(4)-->H-3(6)) seen in thin film structure was significantly suppressed in these type of devices.