Tornado White Lead 16 AWG x 12 in. 19538

The Tornado White Lead 16 AWG x 12 in. 19538 is the genuine OEM neutral lead for the PS Series professional spotters. Tornado’s dealer catalog lists it as “Lead 16 GA. X 12 White” — twelve inches of 16 gauge with white insulation, supplied with its terminations made up. It also fits the Tornado PS8226 Spotter 98226, the 230-volt build of the deluxe PS Series spotter.

Compatible Models for the White Lead 16 AWG

• Tornado PS Spotter 98220 — PS Series professional spotter, 115V
• Tornado PS8221 Spotter 98221 — the 230-volt build of the same spotter
• Tornado PS8225 Spotter 98225 — deluxe PS Series spotter
• Tornado PS8226 Spotter 98226 — the 230-volt build of the deluxe PS Series spotter, Series D & E

Tornado’s factory cross-reference for this lead is complete rather than truncated: Series C through G of the 98220, Series F and G of the 98221, and the 98225 — the spotter family and nothing beyond it. Call us at 763-535-0770 with your model and serial number if yours is not listed.

White means neutral, and neutral is not the same as earth

In North American practice white insulation identifies the grounded circuit conductor — the neutral. It is worth being precise about the difference from the green earth lead on the same machine, because the two are often spoken about as though they were the same thing and they are not.

The neutral is a working conductor: it carries the full return current of whatever the machine is drawing, all the time the machine is running. The protective earth carries nothing until something fails. They are bonded together back at the supply, but inside the machine they do different jobs, and swapping one for the other — or borrowing the earth as a return path — is dangerous rather than merely untidy.

That is also why the gauge is specified. A neutral carries the same current as the live conductor it works with, so it is sized to the same duty. A thinner lead in its place runs warm, and warm wire inside a sealed enclosure ages its own insulation and whatever is packed against it.

The twelve-inch length is the length of its run. There is no room for surplus in a compact enclosure: a longer lead has to be folded somewhere, usually against the cover where it gets pinched, and a shorter one puts standing tension on both terminations.

When to replace it

Replace the lead if the insulation is cut, cracked, abraded through, melted or heat-discoloured; if copper shows anywhere; if a terminal is corroded, burnt, loose on the lead or poorly crimped; if strands have broken at a termination, which usually presents as the lead flexing far too easily at one spot; or if it has been spliced, lengthened or shortened.

Replace it on sight if there is any sign of heat — browned insulation, a darkened terminal, a scorch mark where the lead rests. Heat at a joint means resistance where there should be none, and that condition only gets worse.

Check it whenever the electrical cover is off, and particularly after any work on the switch, the pump or the motor.

Fitting notes

Isolate the machine from the mains before the cover comes off and keep it isolated. Photograph or label the wiring first; this machine has several leads of similar appearance and the colour alone will not tell you which terminal each one came from.

Use the correct terminal and crimp tool for 16 gauge — a terminal sized for thinner wire will not grip properly, and a crimp made with pliers looks fine and fails under vibration. Pull-test every crimp before it goes back. Route the lead where it cannot be pinched as the cover closes or chafed by anything that moves, and fit a new cover gasket so the enclosure seals again afterwards. Confirm the earth lead is still properly connected before you close up, and test the machine on an earth-leakage protected supply before it returns to service.

Twin City Vacuum has been selling and servicing Tornado equipment since 1956.

You can browse every assembly for this machine on our Tornado PS Spotter 98220 parts page, and the manufacturer’s specifications are published at tornadovac.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the White Lead 16 AWG 19538 do?

White identifies the neutral — the grounded circuit conductor. It is a working conductor that carries the full return current of whatever the machine is drawing, the whole time the machine is running.

Is the white neutral lead the same as the green earth lead?

No, and the difference matters. The neutral carries return current continuously; the protective earth carries nothing until a fault occurs. They are bonded together back at the supply but do different jobs inside the machine, and substituting one for the other, or borrowing the earth as a return path, is dangerous rather than untidy.

Can I fit a thinner lead if that is what I have?

No. A neutral carries the same current as the live conductor it works with, so it is sized to the same duty. A thinner lead runs warm, and warm wire inside a sealed enclosure ages its own insulation and anything packed against it. The twelve-inch length is the length of the run, with no surplus to fold and no shortfall to put tension on the terminations.

How do I order the White Lead 16 AWG (part# 19538) or get help?

You can add the White Lead 16 AWG (part# 19538) 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.