Which device in an ignition system increases the voltage from the battery to the spark plugs?

The ignition coil is the device in an ignition system that plays a crucial role in increasing the voltage from the battery to the spark plugs. It operates by using electromagnetic induction to transform the low voltage (typically 12 volts) from the battery into a much higher voltage, often ranging from 12,000 to 45,000 volts or even higher, depending on the system.

When the ignition system is activated, the coil takes the battery's low voltage and creates a magnetic field by passing current through the primary winding. When the current stops flowing, the magnetic field collapses, inducing a high voltage in the secondary winding of the coil. This high voltage is what generates the spark at the spark plugs, igniting the air-fuel mixture in the engine's cylinders and allowing for combustion.

Other components like rectifiers, capacitors, and transformers serve different functions in electrical systems. For instance, a rectifier converts alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC), a capacitor stores electrical energy and can help smooth out voltage fluctuations, and a transformer changes the voltage level in AC circuits but is not specifically used in automotive ignition systems. Thus, the ignition coil is unequivocally designed for the purpose of energizing the spark plugs with a high