Gas Turbine Ignition Systems

FOR TRAINING PURPOSE ONLY
Malaysian Institute of Aviation Technology
GAS TURBINE ENGINE

IGNITION SYSTEM
Revision No : Subject Code:

Issue No : Page No: 1 Date : 9 August 2006
Introduction:
 To ignite fuel and air mixture in combustion chamber

during starting.
 After normal start, ignition is no longer needed and
ignition system is deactivated
 Operated only for brief periods.
Classify into two type:

 Induction type
- Producing high-tension spark by conventional
induction coil (now obsolete).
 Capacitor type
- Cause ignition by means of high-energy and very
high temperature spark produce by condenser discharged.

FUNCTION OF THE IGNITION SYSTEM
 Primary :
- To ignite the fuel and air mixture in combustion

chamber during starting to ensure gas turbine engine will
start satisfactorily.
 Secondary:
- To provide standby protection against in flight flameout
relight which might occur at takeoff, landing, bad weather
operation or when operating in anti ice air mode.
- Either Continuous or Automatic relight setting can be

selected during flight.

Continuous relight setting
 In recent years, majority of new ignition exciters

incorporate a separate low tension continuous duty circuit;
(together with the intermittent duty type main system)
 This low energy system have no time limit
 Can be selected by the pilot
 If inflight relight is necessary and ‘continuous ignition’ does
not create sufficient spark energy, the main intermittent
system will be used within its time limit .
 E.g. of duty cycle or time limit for a DC input system:
2 mins ON, 3 mins OFF
2 mins ON, 20 mins OFF cooling period

Automatic re light setting

 Automatically re light based on one or more
parameters.
 Most common parameter, utilizes pressure sensor
to monitor pressure at the compressor outlet.
 Drop in compressor discharged pressure caused
the ignition system to be activated automatically.
 New generation aircraft such as the B737-800,
auto ignition is enabled when engine start switch
is in ‘OFF’ position versus having a separate switch
position labeled ‘Auto’

IGNITION SYSTEM COMPONENTS
– Ignition exciter box / transformer
– High tension lead / Ignition lead
– Igniter unit

Ignition exciter box / transformer
Generates electrical energy for operating the

igniters. It transformed the input voltage to a
pulsed high-voltage output to the igniter unit
through the high tension ignition leads.
Location:
Normally mounted on the engine or side of the
engine.

HIGH TENSION LEAD / IGNITION

LEAD
 Received high voltage out put from exciter unit to
igniter unit.
 Location:
In between exciter box and igniter unit

IGNITER UNIT
 Received high voltage from exciter unit and
discharged across the center electrodes to
ignites the fuel and air mixture in the
combustion chamber.
 Location:
Located at the compressor outlet/combustion
chamber inlet.

CAPACITOR-DISCHARGE
Used on most gas turbine engine.
Delivered high voltage, high amperage spark with high heat
intensity.
– Required to ignite the fuel /air mixture in low temperature and
at high altitude.
– This is because fuel volatility (its ability to form a readily
burnable vapour) decreases with high altitudes and cold
temperatures so the ignition has to produce high voltage to
‘spark’ across a wide igniter gap to ground.
2 type
– Low tension system
– High tension
Consist of :
– Transformer or exciter unit (2)
– High-tension leads (2)
– Igniter plugs (2)
JOULE RATING
• Turbine iginition systems carry a joule rating

• Joule is defined as power (watts) multiplied by time (sec)
- Example ; A turbine engine ignition system with a stored valtage

of 2000 VDC has an ionizing voltage at the plug of 500 VDC. The
current in the system is 200 amps, and the spark jumps the igniter plug
gap in 40 millionths of a sec (0.000040 sec.). What would be the joule
rating on this ignition system.
Watts = Volts X Amps Joules = Watts X Time

Watts = 500 X 200 Joules = 100,000 X 0.000040
Watts = 100,000 Joules = 4
• Stored energy of large turbine engine ignition exciters is between

4 and 20 joules
• Small main engine exciters may have 1 to 4 joules

LOW–TENSION SYSTEM
COMPONENT
 Battery;
– Supply 28 VDC to the exciter unit.
 Exciter unit;
 Step up 28 VDC to high voltage pulses.
 Vibrator converted the DC.
 Igniter unit; self-ionizing or shunted-gap-type.

– Semi-conductor material which bridge the gap
between the center and ground electrode.
LOW – TENSION SYSTEM

COMPONENT
Vibrator – pulsated DC in the primary coil’s.
– Consist of permanent magnet and points.
Capacitor – prevent arcing.
Bleed resistor:
– Allow the capacitor slowly discharge when de-
energized.
– Protect the circuit from overheating when the
ignition system energized without igniter plugs
installed.
LOW TENSION SYSTEM OPERATION
WHEN DE-ENERGIZED,A PERMANENT MAGNET HOLDS THE

POINTS IN THE VIBRATOR CIRCUIT CLOSED.
ONCE THE COCKPIT SWITCH IS CLOSED, CURRENT FLOWS
AND THE ELECTROMAGNETIC FORCES PULLED THE SWITCH
OPEN AND STOP CURRENT FLOW.
THIS ACTION REPEATED 200 TIMES PER SECOND AND
PRODUCES PULSATING DC VOLTAGE.
TO PREVENT ARCHING AT THE POINTS,A CAPACITOR IS
INSTALLED IN PARALLEL WITH THE POINTS.

LOW TENSION SYSTEM OPERATION con’d
DIODE RECTIFIER IS INSTALLED TO PREVENT REVERSE FLOW.

TO PREVENT INITIAL PULSE FROM FLOWING TO THE
IGNITER, A DISCHARGE TUBE IS INSTALLED BETWEEN
CAPACITOR AND IGNITER.
THE CURRENT THEN STORED INSIDE THE STORAGE
CAPACITOR.
AS ELECTRONS PILE UP OF THE STORAGE CAPACITOR, A
NEGATIVE CHARGE REPELLED FROM THE CAPACITOR TO THE
GROUND.

LOW TENSION SYSTEM OPERATION con’d
AFTER REPEATED CYCLES, THE STORAGE CAPACITOR BUILDS

A CHARGE THAT CAPABLE TO JUMP THE GAP AT THE
DISCHARGE TUBE.
THE CURRENT SURGE IONIZES THE AIR GAP, WHICH MAKES
IT CONDUCTIVE AND ALLOWS THE CAPACITOR TO
DISCHARGE FULLY TO THE IGNITER.
THE IGNITER IN A LOW-TENSION SYSTEM IS REFERRED TO
AS A SELF-IONIZING OR SHUNTED-GAP-TYPE IGNITER.THE
FIRING END OF THE IGNITER CONTAINS A SEMI-
CONDUCTOR MATERIAL WHICH BRIDGES THE GAP BETWEEN
THE CENTER AND GROUND ELECTODES.

Low tension system – circuit
diagram

HIGH TENSION SYS. OPERATION

IN HIGH TENSION SYSTEM, 115 VOLT,400HZ AC CURRENT IS
APPLIED TO THE EXCITER UNIT.
THEREFORE ELIMINATES THE NEED OF VIBRATOR, THUS
ELIMINATES THE PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH VIBRATING
CONTACTS.
AT 1ST HALF CYCLE INDUCES 2000 VOLTS INTO SECONDARY
WINDING ONCE INDUCED, CURRENT FLOWS FROM THE
NEGATIVE SIDE OF THE WINDING TO GROUND
CURRENT FLOWS UP FROM GROUND AT RECTIFIER TUBE A TRU
RESISTOR R1 AND THE DOUBLER CAPACITOR AND BACK TO THE
POSITIVE SIDE OF SEC. WINDING.
THIS CHARGES THE LEFT SIDE OF DOUBLER CAPACITOR TO
2000 VOLTS. RECTIFIER B BLOCKS ANY OTHER CURRENT PATH
DURING THIS CYCLE

HIGH TENSION SYS. OPERATION con’d
AT 2ND HALF CYCLE IT INDUCES ANOTHER 2000VOLTS INTO

SEC. WINDING AND CHARGES RIGHT SIDE OF DOUBLER
CAPACITOR.
CURRENT FLOWS TRU R2, RECTIFIER B AND STORAGE
CAPICITOR TO GROUND.
THE CIRCUIT IS COMPLETED WHEN CURRENT FLOW TRU
GROUND AND BACK TO POSITIVE SIDE OF THE SEC. WINDING.
DURING THIS TIME RECTIFIER TUBE A BLOCKS CURRENT FLOW
FROM DOUBLER CAPACITOR AND R1 TO GROUND TO ENSURE
CURRENT FLOWS TO STORAGE CAPACITOR.

HIGH TENSION SYS. OPERATION con’d
REPEATED PULSES CHARGE THE STORAGE CAPACITOR TO A

POINT WHERE THE AIR GAP IN THE DISCHARGE TUBE IONIZES.
WHEN THIS OCCURS, CURRENT FLOWS ACROSS THE GAP AND
TO THE TRIGGER TRANSFORMER.
AT THE TRIGGERING TRANSFORMER,
VOLTAGE BOOST UP TO 20,000 VOLT AND IONIZES THE IGNITER
PLUG AIR GAP CREATING A LOW RESISTANCE PATH THAT
ALLOWS BOTH THE TRIGGER CAPACITOR AND STORAGE
CAPACITOR TO FULLY DISCHARGE AT THE IGNITER PLUG.
THE HIGH TENSION SPARK VAPORIZES AND IGNITES FUEL
GLOBULES AROUND THE IGNITER ELECTRODES.

High tension system – circuit
diagram

IGNITERS
DIFFER CONSIDERABLY FROM SPARK PLUGS USED ON
RECIPROCATING ENGINES.
AIR GAP IS MUCH WIDER.

DESIGNED TO WITHSTAND MUCH MORE INTENSE SPARK.
LESS SUSCEPTIBLE TO FOULING BECAUSE THE HIGH ENERGY

SPARK REMOVES CARBON AND OTHER DEPOSITS EACH TIME
THE IGNITER FIRES AND THEREFORE IGNITERS HAVE A
LONGER LIFE BECAUSE THEY DO NOT REQUIRE CONTINOUS
OPERATION.

Igniters Construction
Consist of:
– Central electrode.
Inconel chromel D
Tungsten
Nickel alloy.
– Outer body/ shell – nickel chrome alloy.
Corrosion resistance
Low coefficient of heat expansion.
– Insulating material
Aluminum-oxide ceramic
Igniter plugs

Type of igniters
Varies according to the engine that design.
The procedure should refer to an appropriate
engine manual.
When installed the igniter tip must protrude
approximately 0.1 inch into the combustion
chamber.
Constrained-gap igniter does not protrude, its
recess in the plug body.

Glow plug
Utilizes on small turbine and turbo-propeller
engine.
Serve the same function with the igniters.
Consist of coil that generate high heat value
that capable to ignite the fuel and air mixture.
Power by 24 to 28 volts.

Glow plug

Ignition system components

INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE

CONSISTING OF:
INSPECTING, TESTING, TROUBLESHOOTING
AND REPLACING VARIOUS COMPONENTS
BEAR IN MIND THE SYSTEM PRODUCES LETHAL

AMOUNTS OF ELECTRICAL CURRENT AND IT IS
IMPERATIVE THAT YOU FOLLOW RECOMMENDED
SAFETY PROCEDURES.

Inspection and maintenance
Ignition exciter:
CAUTION – ELECTRICAL CURRENT STORE IN
THE HIGH ENERGY IGNITION UNIT IS
POTENTIALLY LETHAL AND EVEN THOUGH
THE CAPACITOR IS DISCHARGED WHEN THE
DC SUPPLY IS DISCONNECTED.
APPROPRIATE CB SHOULD BE TRIPPED OR
REMOVE FUSE BEFORE HANDLING THESE
COMPONENTS.
AT LEAST ONE MINUTE ALLOWED TO ELAPSE
BEFORE TOUCHING THE IGNITION UNIT ON ITS
MOUNTINGS.

Ensure that the ignition system switch is turned off before performing any
maintenance on the system.
To remove an igniter plug, disconnect the exciter input lead and wait the
time prescribed by the manual (usually one to five minutes)
The waiting period allows any residual stored energy to be bleed off through
the internal safety resistors
Once recommended time is passed, disconnect the igniter input lead and
ground the center electrode to the engine , to ensure the capacitor is not
charged.
The igniter plug is now safe to remove
AT THE SAME TIME SOME H.E.I.U CONTAINED RADIOACTIVE

MATERIAL AND HARMFUL TO HUMAN.
The material is used to calibrate and stabilize the discharge point to a preset
value
USE CORRECT PROCEDURE FOR DISPOSAL.

CLEANING AND SERVICING IGNITERS
MAY USED SOFT BRUSH AND APPROVED SOLVENT.
CERAMIC INSULATORS AND ELECTRODE TIPS ARE CLEANED WITH

SOLVENT AND A FELT SWAP.
AFTER CLEANING, BLOW REMAINING SOLVENT WITH DRY

COMPRESSED AIR.
BUT FOR SELF-IONIZING OR SHUNTED –GAP WITH SEMICONDUCTOR

IGNITER CLEANING ARE ONLY ALLOWED ON OUTER CASING ONLY.
SEMICONDUCTOR MATERIAL IS EASILY DAMAGED AND
MANUFACURERS SELDOM PERMIT ANY TYPE OF CLEANING
REGARDLESS OF THE AMOUNT OF CARBON BUILDUP .


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FOR TRAINING PURPOSE ONLY

Malaysian Institute of Aviation Technology

GAS TURBINE ENGINE

Revision No : Subject Code:

 To ignite fuel and air mixture in combustion chamber

Classify into two type:

Revision No : Subject Code:

FUNCTION OF THE IGNITION SYSTEM

- To ignite the fuel and air mixture in combustion

- Either Continuous or Automatic relight setting can be

Revision No : Subject Code:

Continuous relight setting

 In recent years, majority of new ignition exciters

Revision No : Subject Code:

Automatic re light setting

Revision No : Subject Code:

IGNITION SYSTEM COMPONENTS

– Ignition exciter box / transformer

– High tension lead / Ignition lead

Revision No : Subject Code:

Ignition exciter box / transformer

Generates electrical energy for operating the

Revision No : Subject Code:

HIGH TENSION LEAD / IGNITION

Revision No : Subject Code:

Revision No : Subject Code:

• Turbine iginition systems carry a joule rating

- Example ; A turbine engine ignition system with a stored valtage

Watts = Volts X Amps Joules = Watts X Time

• Stored energy of large turbine engine ignition exciters is between

Revision No : Subject Code:

 Vibrator converted the DC.

 Igniter unit; self-ionizing or shunted-gap-type.

LOW – TENSION SYSTEM

LOW TENSION SYSTEM OPERATION

WHEN DE-ENERGIZED,A PERMANENT MAGNET HOLDS THE

Revision No : Subject Code:

LOW TENSION SYSTEM OPERATION con’d

DIODE RECTIFIER IS INSTALLED TO PREVENT REVERSE FLOW.

Revision No : Subject Code:

LOW TENSION SYSTEM OPERATION con’d

AFTER REPEATED CYCLES, THE STORAGE CAPACITOR BUILDS

Revision No : Subject Code:

Revision No : Subject Code:

HIGH TENSION SYS. OPERATION

Revision No : Subject Code:

HIGH TENSION SYS. OPERATION con’d

AT 2ND HALF CYCLE IT INDUCES ANOTHER 2000VOLTS INTO

Revision No : Subject Code:

HIGH TENSION SYS. OPERATION con’d

REPEATED PULSES CHARGE THE STORAGE CAPACITOR TO A

Revision No : Subject Code:

Revision No : Subject Code:

AIR GAP IS MUCH WIDER.

LESS SUSCEPTIBLE TO FOULING BECAUSE THE HIGH ENERGY

Revision No : Subject Code:

Revision No : Subject Code:

Revision No : Subject Code:

Revision No : Subject Code:

Revision No : Subject Code:

Ignition system components

Revision No : Subject Code:

INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE