Spark Plug: Main Parts,Types And How IT Works.

Spark Plug is a device which is used to ignite the air fuel mixture in the engine cylinder. They are generally used in petrol engine.For the combustion of the fuel,we need spark to initiate the combustion.

MainParts:

1)Plug Terminal: It is the portion that is connected to the high tension cable coming from the distributor cap. It conducts the high voltage to the central electrode.

2)Ceramic Insulator: It is made up of Aluminum oxide ceramic and acts as an insulator. It separates the central electrode from earth at up to 40000 Volts. It can be manufactured in plain form or with profiles to prevent flashover.

3)Metal Body: it is steel shell manufactured with precision rolled threads for a secure fit, and easy installation and removal. It provides electrical ground to the cylinder head and helps to cool plug by transferring heat to the cylinder head.

4)Central Electrode: It is made nickel based alloys consists of a copper core enclosed in it. Depending upon the type, the central electrode can be in platinum or iridium. The high voltage is applied to the central electrode from the secondary winding through the distributor.

5)Ground Electrode: It is welded to the metal body of the Sparkplug. It makes spark path with the central electrode. It is made up of nickel based alloys( or iridium or titanium reinforcement)

6)Sealing washer/ Gasket: It makes sealing with the cylinder head and helps in heat dissipation.

7)Insulator tip: It is extended into the combustion chamber. It has greater influence on the thermal rating of the spark plug.

8)Electrode Gap: It is the distance in between the central electrode and ground electrode. The electrode has crucial role in the spark generation. If an appropriate gap is not provided to the plug than if cannot produce sufficient spark to ignite the fuel and may leads to misfire.

Types of Spark Plugs:

On the basis of the relative operating temperature range of the tip of the high tension electrode,it is divided into two types.

Hot spark plug: It has long heat transfer path and a large area exposed to the combustion gases. A “hot plug” transfer heat at a much slower rate,which keeps the firing tip hotter.

Cold spark plug: It has short heat transfer path and small area exposed to the combustion gasses.
A “cold plug” transfers heat rapidly from the firing tip into the engine head,keeping the firing tip cooler.

Carmakers determine which type of plug should be used in each car. When cars have high-performance engines, they generate more heat. Therefore, they’re better off with colder plugs. If the spark plug were to get too hot, it would ignite the fuel before the spark even fired.That’s why it’s very important to use the specific type of plug that your car manual mandates.

See Related Post:  12 Awesome Ways To Save Fuel In Your Car

Working:

+When a high voltage current from the distributor is passes to the spark plug.

+The central electrode and ground electrode is applied to a very high voltage up to 40000 V.

+Due to this high voltage difference between the central electrode and ground electrode, the air in between the electrode gap gets ionized.

+The ionized gas becomes conductor and conducts current from central electrode to the ground electrode producing spark.

+The spark produced is used to ignite the air-fuel mixture in the engine cylinder.

What brand of sparkplug do you use and how often do you change your sparkplugs?

See Related Post:  12 Awesome Ways To Save Fuel In Your Car

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