Contrary to popular belief, not all jumper cables are the same. It is important to have the right set of jumper cables for your car, not only to avoid being stranded but to prevent incinerating the bonnet of your car while attempting to start your battery. Having a set of jumper cables in your car is a necessity. To help you choose the best jumper cables we’ve listed the most important factors you need to consider in making sure you are always well equipped for a car battery emergency. This is one piece of safety equipment you don’t want to skimp on.
What to Consider When Buying Jumper Cables
Cable Gauge
The jumper cable gauge determines how much electric current the cables are able to carry. The thickness of the jumper cables is measured in gauge, with low gauge numbers indicative of thicker cables. Thicker cables can transmit more electric current, therefore heavy-duty jumper cables are a better buy since there is a better chance they will work to jump start a car battery.
A higher number gauge will have a thinner wire. This means that the jumper cables may not be able to transmit enough electric current to start a car. The danger is that it can get too hot from the current which will ruin the cables and can cause sparking, fire, or in severe cases an explosion.
When buying jumper cables, the gauge should match the size of your vehicle. An RV, diesel engine, large truck, or SUV is suggested to have 1- or 2-gauge cables (35mm²), whereas 4 to 6-gauge cables (16mm²) will be suitable for a standard passenger sedan.
Cable Material
Copper Cables
When it comes to jumper cable material you want to look for 100% full copper cables for the following reasons:
Best Conductor
Copper is the best conductor with relatively low resistance. Aluminum, for example, has 1.5 times the resistance of copper. The energy transfer loss in the aluminum cable is, therefore, higher than in a copper cable. Copper cables are more energy efficient.
Flexibility
You will need jumper cables to be flexible when using them.
High Melting Point
Copper is one of the best options from a safety perspective as well since it has a high melting point. This means that if a surge or overload comes through the wire, it is less likely to melt or burn posing a lower fire risk.
Durability
With copper, you do not have to worry about surface oxides forming. It is highly durable and will last you and your vehicle a long time.
The only con to opting for pure copper cables is that they are more expensive.
Welding Cables
Welding cables are flexible, have a high temperature rating, supple insulation, and are oil resistant. They tend to be large gauge wires and can work well as jumper cables. Two types of cheap welding cables are copper clad aluminum (CCA) or steel (CCS) cables.
These are aluminum or steel conductors with a thin copper coating. They are made by encasing a rod of aluminum or steel in a layer of copper strip, welded along the seam to completely encase the metal. The entire rod is drawn through rollers to condense the diameter to as little as 0.1mm. Aluminum and steel are both cheaper but less conductive than copper. CCA and CCS cables may therefore be more affordable but less effective with poor performance compared to 100% copper. They also have a much lower melting point.
Insulation
Two important components of the cable are the outer sheath and insulation. Both provide protection for the cables. The outer sheath is oil and chemical resistant and serves as protection against fire hazards. The inner insulation is located between the cable’s center conductor and sheath. It is a non-conductive material resistant to the flow of electric currents to prevent electrical leakage. In essence, it prevents the electric current from coming into contact with other conductors. It also preserves the integrity of the wire by protecting against heat and water. The safety and effectiveness of the jumper cable wires will depend on its insulation.
Heavy Duty Clamps
Heavy duty clamps such as alligator clips are the best choice for jumper cables since they transmit electricity well. The bigger, stronger clamps make for better connections between the battery terminals. Poor connections or jiggle can cause sparks and damage expensive electronic components.
Warranty
Consider the warranty of the jumper cables you want to purchase. Good quality products can come with a 10-year warranty.
Storage
Bag and Instruction ManualThese are nice extras to have, and any pair of quality jumper cables should include a storage bag that will protect your jumper cables and allow them to be conveniently stored in a car boot or inside a spare tire. Correctly using the cables is extremely important. Jumper cables need to be connected properly to avoid sparks that can cause an explosion of the hydrogen gas from the battery. An incorrect hook up can also damage electronic components. If you are not familiar with using jumper cables make sure the purchase comes with a clear and easy-to-understand instruction manual.
Jumper Cable FAQ
Q: How do you connect jumper cables?
A: Positive to positive and negative to negative is crucial when jump-starting a car. Connect the positive jumper cable clamp to the positive terminal of the weak battery. Connect the second positive clamp to the corresponding point of the good battery. Then connect the negative on the good battery and the negative clamp to the engine block or other grounded metal as far as possible from the battery. You want to avoid sparks in the area of the explosive hydrogen gas that emits from the battery.
Q: Which battery terminal should you connect first when using jumper cables?
A: The safest way to attach jumper cables is to attach one red cable clamp to the positive terminal on the dead battery and then the other end of the same cable to the positive terminal on the working battery.
Q: What happens if jumper cables are connected incorrectly?
A: The polarity of the electrical system will be reversed on the faulty vehicle for a few seconds when the jumper cables are connected incorrectly. This can damage many of the electronic components irreparably.