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The term “battery coil ignition” refers to an ignition system used in automobiles to generate a high-tension supply for spark plugs. Here’s a breakdown of how it works:
- Primary Circuit: The primary circuit includes the battery, an ignition switch, and a set of contact points (contact-breaker). When the ignition switch is turned on, current from the battery flows through the primary winding of an ignition coil.
- Induction Process: As current flows through the primary winding, it creates a magnetic field around the coil. When the contact points (contact-breaker) open and close due to the rotation of the distributor camshaft or another mechanism, the primary current is interrupted periodically.
- Secondary Circuit: The interruption of the primary current induces a high secondary electromotive force (emf) in the secondary winding of the ignition coil. This secondary emf is much higher than the battery voltage, typically thousands of volts, due to the ratio of windings in the ignition coil.
- High-Tension Distribution: The high-tension voltage from the secondary winding is distributed to the spark plugs via the distributor and high-tension leads (spark plug wires). The timing of the spark generation is synchronized with the engine’s combustion cycle to ensure efficient operation.
- Purpose: The purpose of the battery coil ignition system is to provide high-energy sparks at the spark plugs at precise moments, enabling combustion of the air-fuel mixture in the engine cylinders. This system was commonly used in older vehicles before the advent of electronic ignition systems.
Battery coil ignition systems are robust and effective but have been largely replaced by electronic ignition systems in modern vehicles due to their greater efficiency, reliability, and control over ignition timing.
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