Electronic Ignition System
What is Electronic Ignition System?
An electronic ignition system is a type of ignition system that uses a transistor to make
an electronic circuit work. A sensor controls this transistor to create an electrical pulse,
generating a high voltage spark that can burn the lean mixture and provide a better
economy and lower emissions.
The role of the electronic ignition system remains the same as it generates a high voltage
spark to ignite the air-fuel mixture to the spark plug. Since sensors are used in the
system, it improves reliability and mileage and also reduces emissions.
Electronic ignition systems are widely used in aircraft engines, bikes, motorcycles, and
cars because they serve the same purpose as other ignition systems. The advantage of
an electronic ignition system is that it is entirely electronically controlled. Delco-Remy
tested the first electronic ignition (a cold cathode type) in 1948.
Beyond that, a lot more needs to be understood about this ignition system. So I have
briefly explained the electronic ignition system with its components, advantages, and
more. let's get started.
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Why Electronic Ignition System Adopted?
The conventional electro-mechanical ignition system uses a mechanical contact breaker.
Although it is simple, it has some limitations, which are as follows:
1. Contact breakpoints have to handle heavy current, resulting in burns to contact
points. Thus it requires servicing and settings from time to time.
2. Mechanically driven contact breakers have inertial effects. So at high speeds, the
make or break of the contact may not be timed accurately.
3. The coil has less time to build up the current to its maximum value at higher
speeds. Thus the strength of the spark can be reduced.
To get rid of these above drawbacks, electronic ignition systems are used in modern
automobiles. Unlike electro-mechanical systems, this electronic ignition system
performs best in all different conditions and speeds.
These types of ignition systems consist of transistors, capacitors, diodes, and resistors.
These act as heavy-duty switches controlling the primary current for the high voltage
ignition coil.
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Electronic Ignition System
Components of Electronic Ignition System
Following are the important components of an electronic ignition system:
1. Battery
2. Armature
3. Ignition switch
4. Electronic control module (ECU)
5. Ignition coil
6. Ignition distributor
7. Spark plug
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#1 Battery
The battery is the primary power source for the ignition system because it transfers the
energy to the system when the ignition switch is turned on. The function of a battery is
to store charges and release them when needed.
It has two terminals: positive (+) and negative (-). The positive terminal is connected to
the ignition switch (key), while the negative terminal is connected to the ground.
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Electronic Ignition System
#2 Armature
Unlike battery ignition systems with contact breaker points, this is being replaced by an
armature in an electronic ignition system. The armature is used to generate the
magnetic field in the system.
It consists of a retractor (moving part) with teeth, a vacuum advance, and a pickup coil
to capture voltage signals. The ECU receives voltage signals from the armature so that
circuits can be made and broken. This accurately determines the timing of the current
supply to the distributor's spark plugs.
#3 Ignition Switch
It's the power button that turns the system on and off. When the switch is turned on, the
current from the battery runs directly to the coil and into the ignition system. Similarly,
when the switch is turned off, the current from the battery will be terminated, so even if
the engine is cranked, it will not run.
#4 Electronic Control Module (ECU)
It is the essential part of the electronic ignition system in which electronic work starts as
it switches the primary current on and off. This is known as the brain or programmed
instructions given to the electronic ignition system.
Also called as Control Unit, which automatically monitors and controls the timing and
intensity of sparks. It receives the voltage signal from the armature and turns the
primary coil on and off. These are kept separately outside the distributor or the vehicle's
electronic control unit box.
#5 Ignition Coil
An ignition coil in the system is beneficial as it helps the spark plug to generate a higher
voltage up to 12 V to 20 KV. It uses the electromagnet induction method, which acts as a
step-up transformer.
This transformer produces a low flame or high voltage spark for combustion. There are
two sets of ignition coil windings: primary winding (outer winding) and secondary
winding (inner winding).
#6 Ignition Distributor
Despite the magneto ignition system, electronic ignition systems also have an ignition
distributor. This is because, in electronic ignition, only the primary current termination
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Electronic Ignition System
method differs and the rest is the same. It distributes the current to the spark plugs of a
multi-cylinder engine.
#7 Spark Plug
The spark plug generates the spark inside the cylinder by using the high voltage
ignition coil to ignite the fuel-air mixture. It usually works by using the gap between
two conductors. One is the spark electrode which is positively charged, and the other is
the ground which is negatively charged.
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Working of Electronic Ignition System
The above figure shows you a simplified diagram of an electronic ignition system. In
the electronic ignition system, a timer is employed in the distributor of the electronic
ignition system.
The timer sends the electrical pulses to an electric control unit (ECU) which switches off
the flow of current to the primary winding. As a result, a high voltage is induced in the
secondary winding which is then distributed to the spark plugs as in the case of a
breaker point ignition system.
The electronic control unit later switches on the flow of current to the primary circuit so
that the primary circuit can be built up for the next cycle. The timer may be a pulse
generator or Hall effect sensor.
Other than this, the electronic ignition system works similarly to a conventional type.
The other few types of commonly used timers in electronic ignition are pulse generator,
Hall effect switch, Optical switch, and Capacitor Discharge method.
Advantages
1. It has no moving parts. Solid-state electronics control all operations of the
ignition system.
2. The system does not rely on a range of factors to be mechanically timed by the
system for the timing of spark plug activation.
3. Electronic ignition systems provide better environmental benefits than
mechanically timed ignition.
4. Since the system has fewer moving parts, it increases its efficiency.
5. The use of this system will increase fuel efficiency as well as generate fewer
emissions.
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Electronic Ignition System
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Disadvantages
Despite the advantages of electronic ignition systems, there is still one drawback. The
main disadvantage of electronic ignition systems is that not all vehicles can tolerate this
type of ignition system.
Application
Electronic ignition is mostly used in modern supercars like Audi A4, Mahindra XUV-
500, etc., and bikes like KTM Duke 390 cc, Ducati Super Sports, etc., to meet the need for
high reliability and performance. It is also used in aircraft engines due to its superior
reliability and low maintenance.
Closing It Up
Now, I hope I’ve covered everything you were looking for in this article. If you still
have any doubts or questions regarding this topic, leave a comment below I’ll definitely
reply. If you liked it, then share this with your friends.
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