the protection circuit must connect to both ends (poles), however that is done, and it is done differentally on different cells, usually by different manufactures. sometimes were just luckey they get it in there without severly effecting the battery size in either direction.
the strip CAN cause a direct outright SHORT, and make things worse than no protection even existing :duh2: but most of these makers have got the insulation between the battery and the strip worked out pretty good now.
(cept the crappy ones , i wont mention)
and there still (of course) exists the thin outer insulation sleeve layer of most cells today , that must protect against short to metalic tubes in lights. some lights are not so conductive down the tubes thanks to paint/anodising/powdercoatings or whatever, some still conduct easily, just depends on what they did.
at any rate all of this stuff will work good, if somone like YOU the consumer, just recognises all the basics of the need for insulation, and doesnt jam one in tearing it off, or use it if its torn ripped or dropped in the wood chipper .:thumbsup:
