What function does the ignition coil serve in an ignition system?

The ignition coil plays a crucial role in the ignition system by stepping up the voltage. In a typical internal combustion engine, the battery provides a low voltage (usually around 12 volts), which is insufficient to create a spark at the spark plugs for ignition. The ignition coil takes this low voltage and transforms it into a much higher voltage, often between 20,000 to 45,000 volts or more, which is necessary to jump the gap at the spark plug and ignite the air-fuel mixture in the engine’s cylinders.

This high voltage is essential because it ensures that the spark is strong enough to reliably ignite the fuel mixture for efficient combustion. The ignition coil operates on the principle of electromagnetic induction, where a current flowing through a primary winding creates a magnetic field, and when this current is interrupted, the resulting collapse of the magnetic field induces a much higher voltage in the secondary winding. This step-up function is vital for the ignition system to operate effectively.