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Amte 226 Lesson 2: Magneto and Distributor Venting

Magneto and distributor assemblies are designed to prevent moisture from causing issues. Moisture can create unintended electrical paths, leading to misfires as the high voltage current is misdirected to the wrong spark plug. Coils, condensers, distributors, and rotors are waxed to prevent moisture from forming complete circuits. Ignition harnesses contain insulated wires that connect the magneto to each spark plug. They conduct the high voltage and shield against stray magnetic fields. Ignition leads must be correctly routed and clamped to avoid heat and vibration issues. Ignition switches control aircraft ignition systems by connecting the primary circuit between the coil and breaker points to ground.

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Kim Rioveros
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200 views

Amte 226 Lesson 2: Magneto and Distributor Venting

Magneto and distributor assemblies are designed to prevent moisture from causing issues. Moisture can create unintended electrical paths, leading to misfires as the high voltage current is misdirected to the wrong spark plug. Coils, condensers, distributors, and rotors are waxed to prevent moisture from forming complete circuits. Ignition harnesses contain insulated wires that connect the magneto to each spark plug. They conduct the high voltage and shield against stray magnetic fields. Ignition leads must be correctly routed and clamped to avoid heat and vibration issues. Ignition switches control aircraft ignition systems by connecting the primary circuit between the coil and breaker points to ground.

Uploaded by

Kim Rioveros
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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AMTE 226 LESSON 2

Magneto and distributor venting


MAGNETO AND DISTRIBUTOR VENTING

Since Magneto and distributor assemblies are subjected to sudden changes in


temperature, the problems of condensation and moisture are considered in the
design of these units.
1. Moisture in any form is a good conductor of electricity. If absorbed by the
nonconducting fingers, and coil cases, it can create a stray electrical
conducting path.
 High-voltage current can be misdirected to some spark plug other than the one
that should be fired.
 This condition is called flashover and usually results in cylinder misfiring.
Flashover can cause serious engine condition called pre-ignition, which can
damage the engine. For the reason, coils, condensers, distributors, and
distributor rotors are waxed so that moisture on such unit stand in separate
beads and do not form a complete circuit for flashover
Ignition Harness

The ignition lead directs the electrical energy from the magneto to the spark
plug. The ignition harness contains an insulated wire for each cylinder that the
magneto serves in the engine.
Ignition Harness

One end of each wire is connected to the magneto


distributor block and the other end is connected to the
proper spark plug
The ignition harness leads serve a dual purpose. It provides
the conductor path for the high-tension voltage to the spark
plug.
It also serves as a shield for stray magnetic fields that
surround the wire as they momentarily carry high-voltage
current.
Ignition Lead

Ignition leads must be routed and clamped correctly to avoid


hot spots on the exhaust and vibration points as the leads
are routed from the magneto to the individual cylinders.
Ignition leads are normally of the all-weather type and are
hard connected at the magneto distributor and affixed to the
spark plug by threads.
The shielded ignition lead spark plug terminal is available in
all-weather ¾ inch diameter and 5/8 inch diameter barrel
ignition lead nut.
Ignition harness

An older radial engine type of ignition harness is a manifold


formed to fit around the crankcase of the engine with
flexible extensions terminating at each spark plug.
Many older single-row radial engine aircraft ignition systems
employ a dual-magneto system, in which the right magneto
supplies the electric spark for the front plugs in each
cylinder, and the left magneto fires the rear plugs.
Radial
engine
harness
Ignition lead
Ignition Switches

All units in an aircraft ignition system are controlled by an


ignition switch. The type of switch used varies with the
number of engine on the aircraft and the type of magnetos
used.
All switches, however, turn the system off and on in much
the same manner.
Ignition switches

The ignition switch has one terminal connected to the


primary electrical circuit between the coil and the breaker
contact points. The other terminal of the switch is
connected to the aircraft ground structure. Two ways to
complete the primary circuit are:
1. Through the closed breaker points to ground and
2. Through the closed ignition switch to ground.

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