Ignition System

IGNITION SYSTEM
CONTENTS
• INTRODUCTION
• TYPES OF IGNITION SYSTEM
A. BATTERY IGNITION SYSTEM
B. MAGNETO IGNITION SYSTEM
1. ROTATING MAGNET TYPE
2. ROTATING ARMATURE TYPE
• SPARK PLUG
WHAT IS IGNITION SYSTEM ?
• The primary function of an ignition system is to create an electric

spark in the engine combustion chamber at the proper time so that
the petrol and air mixture can ignite.
• Creates a timed spark and distributes it to the cylinders .
• It produces 30,000 volts across the spark plug.
• It should not affect the functioning of the radio and television
receivers inside an automobile.
TYPES OF IGNITION SYSTEM
• Battery ignition system or coil ignition system

• Magneto ignition system
Battery ignition system
• A battery Ignition System is used in an automobile to produce a

spark in the spark plug with the help of a Battery.
• It is fitted in passenger cars, light trucks and motorcycle.
• The positive terminals of the battery and condenser and one terminal
of each spark plug are earthed to the metal body of engine.
Main components of Battery
Ignition system
• Ignition switch
• Battery
• Ignition coil
• Ballast resistor
• Contact breaker
• Distributor
• Condenser
• Spark Plug
Ignition switch
• It is used for ON or OFF the engine.

• Ignition switch connects the battery to the primary
winding of the ignition coil.
• Nowadays, this switch is replaced by the Push
Button, and this system is called a keyless system.
BATTERY
• Rechargeable lead acid battery is used to provide electrical energy for

ignition.
• Is recharged by using the dynamo which is driven by the engine.
• It is also used for the lighting
purposes and powering other
electrical devices like horn.
• Vehicle batteries are usually
of 12v or 6v.
Ignition coil
• The main purpose of it is to step up battery voltage so that it is

sufficient for generates the spark.
• Consists of a magnetic
soft iron core and
two insulated
conducting coils
known as Primary
and Secondary
windings.
Ballast resistor
• This is used to limit the

current in the ignition circuit
and generally made of Iron.
• It is placed in series between
the Ignition Switch and
Primary circuit of ignition coil
• It prevents overheating of the
coil.
Contact breaker
• It is a mechanical device in the

distributor system and is used to
break the circuit.
• It is regulated by the cam and
shaft for connecting and
disconnecting.
Distributor
• It directs the flow of current
from the coil and distributes
it to each spark plug.
• It is rotated by the Distributor
shaft which is driven by the
cam shaft of the engine.
• It has a rotor which rotates
the haft the speed cam shaft
and the distributor itself rotates at same speed
as cam shaft.
Condenser
• It’s function is to provide a

reservoir for current .
• It is connected in parallel to
the contact breaker unit.
• It helps to develop a quick
contact breaking action which
gives rise to high voltage
current in secondary coil.
Spark Plug
• It is output part of the
whole ignition system.
• It has two electrodes with a
gap in between for the
spark.
• Central electrode is
connected to high tension wire from the distributor and ground electrode is
earthed to engine metal body.
• Current at 20,000 v is required to overcome the gap.
Working
• When the ignition switch is turned on, the primary circuit gets closed
& current starts flowing through it.
• This current, known as primary current" sets up a magnetic field
around the soft iron core of the ignition coil.
• When the breaker point opens by the action of cam. The Current
which was flowing through the Contact Breaker starts flowing
through the Condenser.
• As the Condenser charges, the primary current falls & the magnetic
field Collapses.
• This change in the magnetic field induces a current in the primary
winding which flows in the same direction as the primary current and
charges the Condenser to a voltage much higher than battery
voltage, this stopping the current flow from the battery.
• Due to this, the condenser then discharges into the battery, thus
reversing the direction both primary current & magnetic field
• This raped collapse & reversal of the magnetic field induces a very
high voltage in secondary winding of the ignition coil.
• This high voltage is carried through the high tension wires to the
distributer rotor where it passes through one of the ignition harness
into the spark plug & produces a spark.
Magneto Ignition System
• This system generates the required ignition current without any

battery or generator.
• It is used in mainly motorcycle, mopeds, scooters and tractors.
• Types of Magnets used are:

1. Rotating magnet type
2. Rotating armature type
Magneto Ignition System
Main components of Magneto
Ignition system
• Magnets
• Primary Winding
• Secondary Winding
• Armature
• Condenser
• Breaker-points or Contact Breaker
• Distributor
• Ignition Switch and
• Spark plug
Rotating Magnet
• The magnets substituting the battery and ignition coil, have a four-
pole magnet, armature pole piece, the primary and secondary coils.
• The magnet is rotating while the armature pole pieces are stationary.
• The horse shoe magnet used is a permanent magnet
which is attached to flywheel and rotates at crank speed.
• The primary and secondary coils as well as the condenser are fixed.
• The contact breaker does not rotate while the cam rotates.
WORKING
• When the flywheel rotates the magnet also rotates and current is
generated.
• The rotating cam breaks the contact point. So, sudden discontinuity
in the flow of current occurs and high tension current is induced in
the secondary coil.
• The high tension current flow to the distributor . As the distributor
arms rotates the current is distributed to the spark plugs.
• Spark is produced in the plugs following the firing order of the
engine.
• The condenser prevents the development of any arcing between the
contact breaking point during seperation.
ROTATING ARMATURE TYPE
• Here the armature rotates instead of the magnet .

• The permanent magnet is fitted with two pole shoe and an armature
carrying primary and secondary windings.
• As the contact breaker and condenser are connected to the primary
circuit , they are rotated with the armature.
• The working principle of this type of ignition is exactly same as
Rotating Magnet type.
TROUBLESHOOTING OF MAGNETO IGNITION SYSTEM
COMPLAINT
1. Engine doesn’t fire:
Causes Remedies
1. Incorrect setting of controls for starting 1. Switch on the ignition, turn the petrol connection on, then
check whether everything is working correctly
2. Clean the contacts
2. Dirty contacts 3. Adjust the gap according to the given specifications
3. Out-of adjustment contact breaker 4. Relace the cable
4. Worn out or perished high tension leads
2. Engine misfires:
Causes Remedies
1. Pitted or dirty contacts 1. Clean contacts

2. Dirty plugs 2. Clean the plugs
3. Out-of adjustment contact breaker 3. Adjust the gap according to given specifications
Comparison between Battery and Magneto Ignition
System
BATTERY IGNITION SYSTEM MAGNETO IGNITION SYSTEM
1. Battery supplies current to the 1. Magneto generates the

primary circuit. current.
2. Even at low speed, a good 2. There is poor sparking at low
spark is available speed
3. If the battery is discharged, it is 3. As there is no battery ,such
difficult to start the engine . difficult does not arise .
4. Starting of the engine is easy.
4. Starting of the engine is not
so easy .
5. This system occupies more 5. This system requires less
space. space.
6. Efficiency of the system 6. Efficiency of the system
decreases as the engine speed improves as the engine
rises. speed rises.
7. As there is a battery , 7. As there is no battery ,
maintenance problems are maintenance problem are
considered. less
8. This system is used in cars, 8. Motor cycles , scooter and
buses and trucks. racing cars use this method.
SPARK PLUG
• Spark is produced across the spark plug in an ignition system.

• It has two electrode with a gap between them.
• The central electrode is connected to high tension wire coming from
the distributor.
• The ground electrode is earthed to the engine metal body.
• Current at 20,000 v is required to overcome the gap.
BUILT-IN RESISTOR:
• Provided in some spark plugs. This resister forms a part of central
electrode
• The bodyshell houses the electrodes and the insulator
Reasons to provide Built-in-resistor:
1. To reduce interference of ignition system with radio and tv fitted
in the vehicle
2. To decrease the erosion of electrode when sparking is long and
excessive
TYPES OF ELECTRODES
3 different types. They are

1. Hook type: It has good properties at idling and acceleration, and
has easy accesibility of the spark
2. Flat type: It has very good wearing properties. It is used in most of
the vehicles
3. Ring type: It has good heat dissipation properties. It is mostly used
in 2 stroke engines
TYPES OF SPARK PLUGS
• Spark plugs are classified as Hot plugs and cold plugs depending upon
the relative operative range
Hot spark plugs:
• It has long insulators, so the dissipation of heat from gap takes a long
route
• It takes long time for cooling
• Thi type of plug is used in engines having lower compression
Cold spark plug:
• It has short insulators, so the path for dissipating heat is also short.
• This plug is cooled very rapidly
• It is used in engines having high compression which operate at higher
temperatures
SERVICING OF SPARK PLUG
• Carbon particles deposit on and around the electrodes due to charge

combustion in the cylinder. So, the spark plug should be cleaned
regularly
• The spark plug should be first removed from cylinder head and then
cleaned with sand paper or sand blasting
• If the insulator is broken, a new spark plug should be fitted
• If the sealing is broken, only the seal should be replaced
THANK YOU

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IGNITION SYSTEM

• The primary function of an ignition system is to create an electric

• Battery ignition system or coil ignition system

• A battery Ignition System is used in an automobile to produce a

• It is used for ON or OFF the engine.

• Rechargeable lead acid battery is used to provide electrical energy for

• The main purpose of it is to step up battery voltage so that it is

• This is used to limit the

• It is a mechanical device in the

• It’s function is to provide a

• This system generates the required ignition current without any

• Types of Magnets used are:

• Here the armature rotates instead of the magnet .

1. Pitted or dirty contacts 1. Clean contacts

BATTERY IGNITION SYSTEM MAGNETO IGNITION SYSTEM

1. Battery supplies current to the 1. Magneto generates the

• Spark is produced across the spark plug in an ignition system.

3 different types. They are

• Carbon particles deposit on and around the electrodes due to charge

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