Tornado Strain Relief 19461

The Tornado Strain Relief (part# 19461) is the genuine OEM bushing that clamps the supply cord where it enters the machine. It is a small moulded part doing unglamorous work: it grips the cord jacket so that every tug on the cord is taken by the housing rather than by the conductors and their terminals inside. This is the later of the two strain reliefs used on this machine family — earlier series used 19929 — so check which one your machine has, or call us with the serial number.

Compatible Models for the Strain Relief

This part is used on the following machines:

• Tornado 98168 20″ Marathon 1200 Carpet Extractor (12 Gallon 115V) — all series
• Tornado 98168 12 Gallon Self Contained Carpet Extractor
• Tornado 98169 20″ Marathon 1200 Carpet Extractor (12 Gallon 115V)
• Tornado 98166 20″ Marathon 800 Carpet Extractor (8 Gallon 115V)
• Tornado 98164 MWH-800 8-Gallon Self-Contained Carpet Extractor

A failed strain relief rarely gets blamed for what it causes. The part cracks or its clamping teeth wear smooth, the cord starts to move in and out of the housing, and within a few weeks a conductor breaks inside an intact-looking jacket. The machine then develops an intermittent that only shows up when someone moves the cord — and the cord gets replaced while the thing that destroyed it stays in place to destroy the next one.

So inspect it whenever you replace a cord, without exception. Grip the cord where it enters the machine and try to move it: any travel in or out means the relief is no longer doing its job. Look for a split across the moulding, a missing half on a two-piece relief, or a relief that has been over-tightened until it has bitten through the jacket — that last one is a fault in itself, because a relief is meant to grip the jacket, not crush it.

Fitting is a two-minute job on an unplugged machine, but it is worth doing in the right order: seat the relief on the cord first, then feed both through the panel, then make the terminal connections. Assembling the other way around is how the cord ends up too short inside the housing and under tension at the terminals, which is the same failure again by a different route.

Twin City Vacuum has been selling and servicing Tornado equipment since 1956 and can confirm from your serial number whether your machine takes this relief or the earlier 19929. Browse every assembly for this machine on the Tornado 98168 Marathon 1200 parts hub, and see the manufacturer’s range at tornadovac.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Strain Relief (part# 19461) do on a Tornado carpet extractor?

It clamps the supply cord where it passes into the machine so that pulling on the cord loads the housing rather than the conductors and their terminals inside.

How do I know if my Strain Relief needs replacing?

Grip the cord at the entry point and try to move it. Any in-and-out travel means the relief has failed. Also replace it if the moulding is split, if half of a two-piece relief is missing, or if it has been tightened until it has cut into the cord jacket.

What models is the Strain Relief (part# 19461) compatible with?

It fits the Tornado 98168 20″ Marathon 1200 Carpet Extractor (12 Gallon 115V) — all series, the Tornado 98168 12 Gallon Self Contained Carpet Extractor, the Tornado 98169 20″ Marathon 1200 Carpet Extractor (12 Gallon 115V), the Tornado 98166 20″ Marathon 800 Carpet Extractor (8 Gallon 115V) and the Tornado 98164 MWH-800 8-Gallon Self-Contained Carpet Extractor. Not sure which machine you have? Call us at 763-535-0770 with your model and serial number and we will confirm it before you order.

How do I order the Strain Relief (part# 19461) or get help?

You can add the Strain Relief (part# 19461) directly to your cart on this page, or call us at 763-535-0770. Our staff at 5415 West Broadway, Crystal, MN 55428 has been servicing Tornado equipment since 1956 and can help confirm the right part for your machine.

Questions? Call us at 763-535-0770 or visit us at 5415 West Broadway, Crystal, MN 55428.