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The Role of Spark Plugs

Spark plugs ignite the engine by generating a spark between electrodes that triggers combustion of the fuel-air mixture. The spark plug produces a high voltage spark that creates a flame kernel, igniting the surrounding fuel. If the quenching effect between the electrodes is too strong, it can extinguish the flame before combustion spreads. Spark plugs play a critical role in precisely timing ignition to optimize engine performance.

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motley crewz
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202 views1 page

The Role of Spark Plugs

Spark plugs ignite the engine by generating a spark between electrodes that triggers combustion of the fuel-air mixture. The spark plug produces a high voltage spark that creates a flame kernel, igniting the surrounding fuel. If the quenching effect between the electrodes is too strong, it can extinguish the flame before combustion spreads. Spark plugs play a critical role in precisely timing ignition to optimize engine performance.

Uploaded by

motley crewz
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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BASIC INFORMATION FOR

PLUG (1)
01
The role of spark plugs

DENSO spark plugs ignite your engine.


Gasoline engines generate power from the precision-timing
Spark plugs are
combustion of a fuel-air mixture of gasoline and oxygen.
However, gasoline itself is relatively difficult to ignite with
the heart of
the precision timing required for combustion of the fuel-air
mixture, even at high temperatures. The role of the spark
your engine!
plug is to create a spark which ignites the fuel. Since the
spark plug ignites combustion, the performance of the plug
determines the performance of the entire engine. The
engine is often likened to the “heart of a vehicle,” and spark
plugs have the significant role as the “heart of the engine.”

Spark / Ignition

02
Spark and Ignition

Generate a strong spark from an electrical The spark plug generates a flame kernel
discharge between electrodes from a spark which then ignites the fuel
When high voltage produced by the ignition system is Igniting the fuel with an electrical spark occurs because fuel particles
discharged between the center electrode and ground situated between the electrodes are activated by the discharge spark to
electrode of the spark plug, the natural insulation between trigger a chemical reaction (oxidation), the reaction generates heat, and a
the two electrodes breaks down, current flows as a result of flame kernel is formed. This heat ignites the surrounding air-fuel mixture until
the discharge phenomenon, and an electrical spark is a flame core is formed that spreads combustion throughout the chamber.
generated. However, the electrodes themselves absorb heat which can extinguish the
The energy from this spark triggers the igniting and flame kernel, called the “quenching effect.” If the quenching effect between
combustion of the compressed air-fuel mixture. The the electrodes is greater than the heat generated by the flame kernel, the
duration of this discharge is extremely brief (about 1/1,000 flame is extinguished and combustion stops.
of a second) and is extraordinarily complex. If the plug gap is wide, the flame kernel will be larger and the quenching
The role of the spark effect is reduced, so reliable ignition can be expected. But if the gap is too
plug is to reliably wide, a large discharge voltage becomes necessary, the limits of coil
Center generate a strong spark performance are exceeded, and discharge becomes impossible.
Electrode between electrodes
precisely at each Generating a flame kernel Quenching effect
specific moment to
Spark 1 4
create the trigger for
combustion of the
Ground
gaseous mixture. 5
Electrode 3
2 4

1 Center Electrode 2 Ground Electrode 3 Flame kernel


4 Heat absorption 5 Flame propagation

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