Jumper leads, also known as booster cables, are used to jumpstart a vehicle's battery. The spelling of this word can be explained with the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as /ˈdʒʌmpər liːdz/. The first syllable, /ˈdʒʌmpər/, is pronounced with a "j" sound followed by a short "u" sound and then the letters "mp" and "r". The second syllable, /liːdz/, is pronounced with a long "ee" sound followed by a "d" and then the plural form of the letter "s".
Jumper leads, also known as jumper cables or booster cables, are a pair of insulated, heavy-duty electrical wires with clamps at each end used to temporarily connect the battery of a functioning vehicle to the battery of a vehicle that has a dead or low charge.
These cables are typically made of thick, flexible copper wire coated with an insulating material to protect against electric shock. The clamps, often differentiated by color (usually red for positive and black for negative), are designed to securely attach to the corresponding terminals of the vehicle batteries.
Jumper leads are used in situations where a vehicle needs a boost in power to start its engine due to a drained battery. When the cables are connected correctly – positive clamp to the positive terminal and negative clamp to a metal grounding surface on the dead vehicle – electrical energy flows from the functioning vehicle's battery to the dead vehicle, allowing it to start.
Jumper leads are a common tool used by professionals and vehicle owners as an emergency solution to get a stranded or non-starting vehicle back on the road quickly. It is important to handle jumper leads with caution and follow proper safety procedures while using them, as incorrect usage can pose risks such as electric shock or damage to vehicle electrical systems.
The term "jumper leads" is predominantly used in British English and refers to the tool used to transfer electrical current from one vehicle battery to another, particularly to jump-start a car. The etymology of this term can be inferred by examining the individual words:
1. Jumper: In British English, a "jumper" is an equivalent term for a "sweater" or "pullover". The word "jumper" is derived from the verb "to jump", which originally referred to the rapid, thrusting or jerking movements associated with "jumping" into a garment. Over time, "jumper" emerged as a term for a type of knitted clothing that is easily pulled on or off, similar to how one might quickly use jumper leads to transfer current.
2. Leads: In this context, "leads" most likely refers to the wires or cables used to establish a connection between two vehicle batteries.