What Are Spark Plugs?

Spark plugs are precious electrical components located in the internal combustion engine, it ignites a spark through fuel-air mixture in the internal combustion engine to help you power your engine. Read on to discover more about this small but precious component.

Parts Of Spark Plug

There are different parts in a spark plug that work together to produce the spark that is necessary for your engine to power:

Insulator

This component acts as an insulation between the housing and the terminal, center shaft, and center electrode. It aids in preventing the electrodes’ high-voltage from escaping. In conclusion, since the bottom portion of the insulator is introduced into the combustion chamber, high purity alumina with extra-ordinary mechanical strength, heat proof properties, high temperature thermal conductivity, and excellent insulation must be employed.

Terminal

Terminal in the spark plug is a high-tension cord attached with high voltage permit electricity. It passes through the ignition system, it has a terminal nut that can accommodate all kinds of high tension cord. In conclusion, you can remove the terminal on your automobiles if it does not require a terminal nut.

Ring/Parking Washer

This part of the spark plug aids in maintaining airtightness by ensuring that the insulator and housing fit tightly against one another.

Center Electrode

A center electrode is used to decrease spark plug voltage, ensure steady spark, enhance ignition efficiency, and lessen the effect of quenching. To create the center electrode, an iridium alloy tip often 0.4 mm in diameter is laser welded to the center electrode. Furthermore, iridium is a valuable metal with incredibly exceptional qualities for a spark plug electrode.

Taper Cut Ground Electrode

In this section, the electrode tip is cut into a sharp tapered form. The purpose is to reduce the quenching impact, and improve ignition performance.

Housing

The insulator is supported and surrounded by an outer shell made of the housing. The housing in spark plugs is what makes it possible to insert the spark plug in the engine, and the ground electrode at the bottom allows electricity to pass through the engine and cross the gap to the central electrode.

U-Groove Ground Electrode

This is one integral part of a spark plug, this is because it facilitates the easy expansion of the flame core/flame size, and it provides a significant amount of ignition energy. In addition, sparks easily form because of the wide surface area and extensive edge section that the air-fuel combination contacts.

Gasket

Gasket in spark plugs keeps the combustion chamber airtight and ensures that the housing and the engine fit together flawlessly. Nevertheless, there’s an actual process for tightening, and the appropriate locking margin needs to be obtained.

Center Shaft

The terminal and the center electrode are connected by the center shaft. The steel component has a function that permits lossless high-voltage current flow from the terminal to the center electrode.

Electrode With Copper

Copper is enclosed into the central area to improve its heat conductivity, then a unique nickel alloy is used at the electrode to minimize electrode wear.

Glass Seal

Glass seals in spark plugs help to charge the insulator, center shaft, and center electrode in the installation section. In addition, a unique combination of glass powder and copper powder will be melted at high temperature in order to fuse the metal and the insulator, and to join the central electrode and shaft.

What Does Spark Plugs Do?

What spark plugs do is it supplies the spark that is necessary for igniting the mixture of air/fuel in the internal combustion engine, to create an explosion that makes your engine produce power.

Types Of Spark Plugs

The types of spark plugs are basically split into two categories namely; types based on temperature (Hot and Cold), types based on material (Iridium, Copper, Platinum, Double Platinum, Silver). Check the next sub-heading to know more about these types of spark plugs.

Spark Plug Types Based On Temperature

Spark Plug Types Based On Materials

Iridium

Because Iridium is a very resilient metallic element, it works well as a spark plug material. The high melting point of the electrode material is the primary characteristic of iridium spark plugs. In conclusion, iridium spark plugs in your engine improve the overall performance, and provide complete combustion.

Copper

When you hear the word “Copper spark plugs” it simply refers to regular or conventional plugs. These types of spark plugs usually have copper as their exterior material, but they do not last long because they are soft in nature and they have low melting point.

Platinum

Platinum in spark plugs is a better metal than nickel alloy, it guarantees higher melting point, and there is a retainment in platinum cutting edge for up to 100,ooo miles compared to a regular spark plug because it’s tougher. The primary characteristics of platinum spark plugs is longevity.

Double platinum

Double platinum spark plug is like a copper spark plug, but much more like a single platinum spark plug. The main difference between them is that, there is presence of a platinum disc on both the center and side electrode of double platinum spark plug.

Silver

Silver spark plugs are products of silver, they are not common, they feature silver-coated electrode tips, and they give extra-ordinary thermal conductivity. Although silver spark plugs will offer you good performance, they do not have a long life span like platinum and iridium spark plugs. In conclusion, you will find them in European performance cars and motorcycles.

Advantages Of Spark Plugs

• Up to 15% reduction of fuel consumption in your engine.
• Limit emission in your engines by 30%.
• Provide better combustion for improved performance.
• They give a long life-span to your engine by stopping pre-ignition and knocking.
• Spark plugs provide the spark that is necessary to start your engine.
• Regulates the timing of the opening and closing of your valve.
• They give your engine optimal performance.

Disadvantages Of Spark Plugs

• Breakage can occur in spark plugs.
• Because spark plugs have different layering techniques, there is a possibility of subpar results.
• Requires regular maintenance.
• For every damaged spark plugs, there’s a cost for replacement.
• Spark plugs cause engine misfires when they are worn.
• Inappropriate spark plug will cause detonation to your engine.
• Because there are a diverse range of spark plugs, selecting the wrong type for your engine will decrease the performance and efficiency of your engine.

Applications Of Spark Plugs

You cannot underestimate the power of spark plugs in the ignition system of diverse combustion engines. Below are some primary spark plugs application:

• Automotive Industry
• Motorcycles
• Small Engines (lawnmowers, chainsaws, leaf blowers, generators etc)
• Aircraft with piston engines
• Marine Engines
• Racing engines
• Garden equipment (Garden tillers, hedge trimmers etc)
• Industrial Applications (gas-powered pumps, portable power generators etc)

FAQ

Why Are Spark Plugs So Important To Your Engine?

Spark plugs are so important in your engine because they ignite the air/fuel mixture that are necessary to create explosions to power your engine.

Does a new spark plug make my car run faster?

Yes, a new spark plug will make your car run smoother and faster.

What is the voltage of a spark plug?

A spark plug voltage is usually at 12,000-25,000 voltage or more.

Can you drive with a faulty spark plug?

No, it is not safe to drive with a faulty spark plug.

Conclusion

In conclusion, spark plugs are an essential part in your engine ignition system, their role in powering your engine and ensuring that it runs smoothly cannot be over emphasized.