Chapter ignition

Each engine cylinder has two sparking plugs fed by two separate magnetos.

Magnetos are self-contained engine-driven electrical generators. They produce a

series of extra high tension (EHT) electrical sparks at the sparking plugs, in the
correct firing sequence, for ignition of the petrol and air mixture.

Requires step up transformer, As the primary magnetic field collapses, the lines of
magnetic force cut thousands of turns of very thin wire which comprise the
secondary coil, and this induces within it an EHT voltage.

The induced EHT voltage is taken to a rotary switch called the distributor which
distributes it to the sparking plugs in the correct firing sequence. The cam-operated
contact breaker points and the distributor rotor are geared together so that the spark
will appear at the sparking plug as the contact breaker points just open. The contact
breaker cam and distributor rotor rotate at half engine speed.

The prime function of the capacitor or condenser is to prevent burning or arcing

across the contact breaker points, and to assist in creating the extra high voltage in the
secondary coil by causing a rapid change of flux (magnetic field) in the primary coil.
The capacitor is fitted in parallel with the contact breaker points

The ignition switch provides complete control of the engines magneto circuit, the
magneto being made inoperative by earthing the primary circuit.

The spark appears at the plug electrodes when the contact breaker opens.

Grounding-wire is used to switch-off the Magneto, If the Groundingwire breaks in

when the engine is running there will be no apparent changes in the engines
performance. If the grounding-wire breaks and touches the engine-body or airframe
then this is the equivalent of grounding the Primary-circuit, and the magneto is
switched off.

The Dead Cut Check is carried out at slow running, RPM MUST DROP BUT
ENGINE MUST NOT STOP WHILE SWITCHING ONE MAGNETO OFF AT
A TIME.

The Magneto rpm Drop Check is carried out at approximately 75% of the
maximum engine speed. This checks that the magneto and sparking plugs are
functioning correctly.

AUXILIARY STARTING DEVICES

The High Tension Booster Coil- supplies a succession of high voltage electrical impulses.
The Low Tension Booster Coil supplies a low voltage to the magneto primary during the
starting sequence, this augmentation of the primary permitting normal operation of the
magneto.
The Impulse Coupling. This is a mechanical device which uses a spring to temporarily
increase the speed of rotation of the magneto giving a large retarded spark during the
starting cycle.
Other points:

The high-voltage current that normally arcs across the air gaps of the distributor can
flash across a wet insulating surface to ground, or the high-voltage current can be
misdirected to some spark plug other than the one that should be firing. This condition
is called flashover and usually results in cylinder misfiring.

Diesel engines does not require sparkplug as it works on compression ignition

process. For cold starting, diesel engines usually employ a system of glow-plugs or
pre-heaters which provide initial localised heating to the combustion-chamber area.