A vehicle has an engine that is driven by the combustion of air and fuel or gasoline. In order for the combustion process to be successful, a spark from the spark plug is needed.
The sparks managed to appear because of the conventional ignition system used since the first gasoline-powered motor vehicles were made. Until now the ignition system is still in use.
Check out the full explanation of conventional ignition in a vehicle below.
Components and How the Conventional Ignition System Works in Cars
What is a Conventional Ignition System and Its Functions
In general, there are four types of ignition systems used in automobiles. The first is the conventional ignition system, the second is the CDI ignition system, the third is the transistor ignition system and the last is the DLI ignition system.
Among the four, conventional ignition is the first system designed by humans in a motor vehicle. The definition of this system is a simple mechatronic circuit.
The purpose is to create sparks on the spark plugs at certain intervals.
The spark plug will create a spark because the electrical energy from the high voltage flows through the spark plug electrode.
The voltage can reach 30,000 V DC, where a gap of 0.8 mm in the electrode will create an electron jump that looks like a spark. The main characteristic itself is to use platinum to connect and disconnect the ignition.
There are two functions that a conventional ignition system has. The first is to create a spark jump on the spark plug at the right time. The time is to create combustion between air and gasoline.
The second function is to create a spark that requires a high voltage. This voltage will increase the battery voltage so that it becomes a high voltage coil through a short circuit of the primary current by the platinum.
This system is different from the CDI ignition system which actually adheres to the principle of emptying the current on the capacitor so that there is a voltage on the coil. It is also different from the transistor ignition system which no longer uses platinum.
Like how the conventional ignition works is influenced by the components in it.
Components in Conventional Ignition Systems
Each ignition system has different components depending on how it works. Each of these components has a different function and task but is interconnected to create a spark.
So spark plugs do not work alone in a motor vehicle or car to be able to create a spark. In general, there are three main components that are important, namely Nok, Ignition Coil and Distributor.
The following components of the conventional ignition system are used.
Battery
Just like batteries in general, the main function of the battery here is to provide electric current with a low voltage of about 12 volts. In addition to the ignition system, the battery also has an electrical function in other parts.
For example, for electricity supply, turning on the horn, charging system and other components that require electricity. This battery is more often referred to as a battery where its function is very important for vehicle electricity.
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Ignition Coil
This component plays a major role in increasing the power from the battery which was only 12 volts. Power can be increased 10 KV or more, as explained that to create a spark requires a high voltage.
This ignition coil has two types of coils, each of which is wrapped around an iron core. Where the first coil is called the primary coil, which will receive current from the battery and cut off the breaker point or platinum.
This second coil or secondary coil will later create electromagnetic induction when the electric current is cut off by platinum so that it can generate voltages of up to 10 KV or more.
The primary coil usually uses copper wire that is 0.5 to 1.0 mm in size or even larger and the winding is small. While the secondary coil is smaller and the number of coils is more.
Distributor
Then the distributor component itself consists of many components where the main function is to distribute the electric voltage that has been generated by the ignition coil to each cylinder. Here are the various parts of the distributor.
Nok
Also known as Cam, this component will open the platinum at the corner of the crankshaft appropriately for each cylinder. The cam itself is connected to the distributor shaft and will be driven by the camshaft.
Platinum
In conventional ignition systems the function of platinum is to cut off the electric current flowing to the primary coil in the ignition coil. The goal is that the ignition coil is able to create a higher voltage than the battery.
Condenser
As the name implies, this distributor component has the main function of absorbing sparks on platinum. Absorption takes place when there is an opening that aims to increase the voltage in the secondary coil.
Centrifugal Governor Advancer
The function of this component is to advance at the time of ignition which is adjusted to the rotation of the engine.
Vacuum Advancer
This component is mounted on the distributor and connected to the backing plate or platinum holder. The shape itself is like a disc that has two hoses and is connected to the carburetor and intake manifold.
When this component is lit, it will shift the backing plate and create a platinum opening. Its function is to advance the ignition moment according to the engine load.
Rotor
This conventional ignition system component has a function to distribute the high voltage electric current that has been generated by the ignition coil to the spark plug.
Distributor Cap
The function of this distributor is to distribute electric current from the rotor to the mains voltage cable so that each spark plug can produce a spark.
spark plug
Spark plugs are part of the distributor whose function is to create sparks from the electrodes that have been obtained through high voltage cables.
High Voltage Cable
This component of the conventional ignition system has a function to deliver very high voltage current to the spark plug from the ignition coil.
How Conventional Ignition Systems Work
After recognizing what the components of this ignition system are you should be able to have an outline of how it works. There are two ways the conventional ignition system works that can be considered as follows:
How it Works when Contact is On
This ignition system will work when the contact is in the ON position. Then the Ignition Relay and Main Relay will be active and an electric current will flow from the battery to both.
The current will enter the primary and secondary coils of the ignition coil. The electric current is only flowed so that the ignition system is not running and there is no change in the voltage.
How to Work at the Start Position
Only when the flywheel is rotated by the starter system, the ignition system will experience disconnection. This ignition circuit is connected to the engine crankshaft, so when the engine rotates the rotation will adjust the engine RPM.
Nok on the distributor is the same number as the engine cylinder, where when it rotates it will touch the platinum feet and there is a contact point that causes the primary current to be cut off.
When the current in the primary coil is cut off, the magnetic field that was formed will also be extinguished. However, the magnetic field will move to the secondary coil where the electric current will increase.
The movement from breaking the current to increasing occurs in a short time. In order for the process to run, platinum is needed that can disconnect and connect the current in the primary and secondary coils.
Furthermore, a high voltage stay is flowed to the spark plug to create a spark so that combustion occurs and the engine will start.
This is a conventional ignition system where there are several important circuits running very briefly on your vehicle.
