The ignition coil is another main accessory of your automobile. It is charged mainly by the low battery current in the car, which is converted to high current for the formation of sparks in the spark plugs. The ignition should make the combustion of the air-fuel mixture inside the cylinders of the engine to generates the combustion to drive the engine.
However, should the ignition coil fail, the engine will likely misfire, not start or just run poorly. If one understands the theory of ignition coils, they will recognize the first sign of failure. This will keep the engine running smoothly.
What Is an Ignition Coil?
The ignition coil is a key part of the vehicle’s ignition system. It steps up 12 volts from the battery to a high voltage capable of creating a spark across the spark plug electrodes. This spark ignites the air-fuel mixture, starting the engine’s combustion process.
How an Ignition Coil Works?
1. Role of the Ignition Coil in the Ignition System
The ignition coil generates high voltage for the ignition system to ignite the air-fuel mixture inside the combustion chamber of the engine. It is combined with different parts that include spark plugs, a control module, and, in some old models, a distributor.
2. Electromagnetic Induction Process
When you turn the ignition keys, low-voltage current flows from the battery through the primary winding of the coil, creating a magnetic field. Once this current is suddenly interrupted—typically by the ignition control module—the magnetic field collapses rapidly.
The quick collapse of the magnetic field develops a high-voltage surge along the secondary winding of the coil by electromagnetic induction. The voltage is then delivered to the spark plugs for the ignition of the air-fuel mixture.
3. Delivering the Spark for Combustion
This high-voltage discharge is then channelled to the spark plugs, whether using a distributor or directly in new engines, resulting in a spark which ignites the air-fuel mix. The ignition coil is necessary to supply power to your vehicle effectively since the process maintains even combustion and sound engine performance.
How Is an Ignition Coil Built? Core Parts & Function
An ignition coil can be small in shape. However, it is designed accurately to change low strength to high-voltage spark to start your engine. What shall we say about its inner structure and the main constituents?
1. Primary & Secondary Windings
The ignition coil’s center contains two distinct copper wire windings—the primary and secondary windings. They work together to transform low voltage into the high voltage needed for ignition.
Primary Winding
Created out of heavy copper wire and containing fewer turns, it is attached to the battery of the vehicle and accepts low-voltage current.
Secondary Winding
It consists of hundreds of smaller coils and many turns of the very fine wire and amplifies the voltage through electromagnetic induction, that able to fire the spark plugs.
2. Magnetic Core
A ferromagnetic core, which is normally hard iron or laminated steel, is placed between two windings. This core reinforces the magnetic field created by the primary winding and assists in effective energy transfer during voltage conversion, and it also reduces energy losses.
3. High-Voltage Output Terminal
After the high voltage is induced, the secondary winding channels the current to the high-tension output terminal, which then delivers it to the spark plugs for ignition. In older ignition systems and most systems, the spread is to the distributor whereas in newer systems, the spread is linked directly with spark plugs. Such a terminal is meant to block leakage and performance decrease with extreme voltage.
Types of Ignition Coils
1. Conventional (Canister-Style) Ignition Coils
Conventional ignition coils, commonly referred to as canister-style coils, are found in most older automobiles with a very basic design. They are enclosed in a cylindrical case of metal to route high voltage current to each of the spark plugs, with the help of a distributor. These coils are simple to use but have rugged durability and give easy service and are reliable in older ignition systems.
2. Distributor-less Ignition System (DIS) Coils
With the development of automotive technology, the mechanical distributor was abolished in favor of distributor-less ignition systems (DIS). The DIS coils are typically installed close to or above the spark plugs, and time the spark delivery by use of electronic control modules and sensor devices. This improves the precision of ignition, minimizes mechanical wear and enhances the efficiency of fuel, particularly in multi-cylinder engines.
3. Coil-on-Plug (COP) Ignition Coils
The coil-on-plug (COP) system is also widely used amongst newer cars, assigning one ignition coil to each cylinder, and each coil interface is located directly above the spark plug. This removes spark plug wires altogether and allows faster and more accurate burning of the fuel.
Higher spark energy from COP ignition coils allows more precision in combustion control, leading to enhanced engine power and reduced emissions. They are especially effective under high-load driving conditions.
Comparison of Advantages & Disadvantages of Ignition Coils
Ignition coils play an important role in modern engine action, and like any other engine component, they have a few advantages and disadvantages. Here is a quick rundown useful in understanding what effect they have:
Advantages of Ignition Coils
- Efficient Spark Generation: Rapidly and reliably convert low battery voltage into high voltage for best combustion.
- Both Better Fuel Efficiency: Accurate spark timing helps efficiently burn fuel in engines and cuts wastage.
- Low Maintenance: The coil-on-plug system reduces wear and tear since it doesn’t need a distributor (most found on the latest cars); hence, it provides less maintenance for these vehicles.
- Engine Performance Improvements: Smoother ignition, faster starts, and crisper acceleration.
- Compact & Lightweight Design: Small enough to install right above the spark plugs in today’s vehicles, thus saving space.
Disadvantages of Ignition Coils
- Sensitive to Heat & Vibration: High operation temperature over a time duration can lead to coil breakdown.
- Voltage Breaks with Time: Old or low-quality coils may go bad over time, causing weak sparks or misfires.
- Hard to Determine Problems: In multi-coil or coil-on-plug systems, determining a faulty coil without having a tool is very difficult.
- Replacement Expensive: Replacement of individual coil packs can be rather costly to replace (mainly in the latest cars) than a conventional system.
Final Thoughts
Coils of ignition are meant to serve the very purpose of the conversion of the battery’s low voltage into high voltage for starting an engine’s air-fuel mixture. In this guide, one learns about the working of ignition coils, construction, key components, the advantages of using them, and their disadvantages. This knowledge will help a person in diagnosing performance issues and the healthy functioning of an engine.
Bad starting, misfiring, or decreased fuel efficiency could all be caused by a faulty coil. Call ARMotors if you find yourself needing car repair assistance or ignition diagnostics.
