Why is an HT lead called an HT lead?

[Steam]

HT lead, stands for High Tension lead, right? The electrical cable that takes the power to your sparkplug.
So why is it called a High Tension lead? Where's the tension? I don't see no stinkin tension.
Tension implies something is stretched tightly, the opposite of compression.
Maybe it means something different in electrickery-speak.

[Fatjim]

Hold on to it when the bike is running. You'll know all about tension then.

[jrandom]

'Tension', in this case, is a synonym for voltage.

[Bass]

I suspect (no proof whatsoever) that it's a hangover from National Grid type transmission lines which while being high voltage, are also pulled up to "High Tension".
As with many other like situations, all high voltage lines have become colloquialised to high tension ones.

[breakaway]

Because HIGH TENSION sounds better than HIGH VOLTAGE

[marty]

because one of the meanings of the word 'tension' is voltage, potential, or electromotive force?

[Sully60]

Because HIGH TENSION sounds better than HIGH VOLTAGE

Yeah, you'd be right. But.......

High
Tension
Rock n Roll


It just doesn't have the same ring to it now does it!

[jrandom]

It just doesn't have the same ring to it now does it!

There's an apostrophe in your signature which shouldn't be there.

[ManDownUnder]

There's an apostrophe in your signature which shouldn't be there.

And ironically there's one missing from yours...

[jrandom]

And ironically there's one missing from yours...

mikey is an unsung and tormented genius. I wouldn't dream of diluting his oeuvre with crass sub-editing.

[ManDownUnder]

mikey is an unsung and tormented genius. I wouldn't dream of diluting his oeuvre with crass sub-editing.

No argument there - I was just enjoying the irony.

[Sully60]

There's an apostrophe in your signature which shouldn't be there.

Thanks Katm..
I mean jrandom, couldn't be mucking up the fine standards of grammar that seems to be the norm on KB!

[jrandom]

Thanks Katm...

katman spells his name with an initial lowercase letter.

[GaZBur]

And ironically there's one missing from yours...

And ironcally ther is a spellink errer in you's one. I have deliberately pud typos in hair coz it covers up my occidental ones.

[Hitcher]

This thread has become a BDOTGNZA wet dream. The Enforcement & Compliance Unit has slipped out for a few quiets.