How does a CD ignition work?
Working Principle of a CDI System. A capacitor discharge ignition works by passing an electrical current over a capacitor. This type of ignition builds up a charge quickly. A CDI ignition starts by generating a charge and storing it up before sending it out to the spark plug in order to ignite the engine.
How does a CDI ignition coil work?
CDI Ignition system works by passing an electrical current over the capacitor. When power passes through a capacitor, the flow of electric current immediately transfers to the ignition coil. Now, the charged ignition coil acts as a transformer and allows the energy to pass through it, instead of catching any of it.

What are the 3 types of ignition systems?
There are three basic types of automotive ignition systems: distributor-based, distributor-less, and coil-on-plug (COP). Early ignition systems used fully mechanical distributors to deliver the spark at the right time. Next came more reliable distributors equipped with solid-state switches and ignition control modules.
What is the difference between CDI and ignition coil?
Inductive Ignition versus CDI Systems Inductive ignition systems produce a spark, at a lower voltage with a longer duration compared to capacitor discharge ignition systems. A CDI, Capacitor Discharge Ignition system is charging constantly and sends a large voltage charge (380–450 V) to the coil.
How does a bicycle ignition system work?
Essentially, a CDI box controls a motorcycle’s ignition system by starting the ignition and combustion process. A pulse of voltage from the motorcycle battery passes through the CDI box to fire up the spark plug. In addition to the CDI box, other components of modern ignition systems include: Battery.

What are the types of ignition system?
Currently, there are four types of ignition systems used in most cars and trucks, by order of invention: conventional breaker-point (mechanical) ignitions, high energy (electronic) ignitions, distributor-less (waste spark) ignition and coil-on-plug ignitions.
What is a CD ignition box?
Capacitor discharge ignition (CDI) or thyristor ignition is a type of automotive electronic ignition system which is widely used in outboard motors, motorcycles, lawn mowers, chainsaws, small engines, turbine-powered aircraft, and some cars.
What are the 4 types of ignition systems?
Currently, we recognize four types of ignition systems used in most cars and trucks: conventional breaker-point ignitions, high energy (electronic) ignitions, distributor-less (waste spark) ignition and coil-on-plug ignitions.
What are the 5 ignition systems?
Ignition 101: A Quick Guide to 5 Common Ignition System Designs
- Breaker-Point Ignition System.
- High Energy (Electronic) Ignition System.
- Distributorless Ignition System.
- Coil-on-Plug (Direct) Ignition.
- Capacitor Discharge Ignition (CDI) System For Small Engines.
Is ECU same as CDI?
When there is no triggering signal the charging circuit is re-connected to charge the capacitor. The CDI referenced in some models of Polaris is controlled by the ECU (electronic control unit). The ECU is an electronic switch which stops the flow of current in an inductive discharge ignition system.
What is a TCI ignition?
A Transistor Coil Ignition (TCI) type of an Inductive Discharge Ignition (IDI) system is an electronic ignition system used in internal combustion engines. An ignition system provides a high-voltage spark in each of the engine’s cylinders to ignite the air-fuel mixture.
What is the purpose of ignition system?
An ignition system for a multicylinder internal combustion engine has three basic functions: (1) to provide a sufficiently energetic spark to initiate the burning of the fuel-air mixture within each cylinder; (2) to control spark timing for optimum efficiency so that cylinder pressure reaches its maximum value shortly …
How does a CD ignition coil work?
In a CD ignition, the ignition coil acts as a pulse transformer rather than an energy storage medium as it does in an inductive system. The voltage output to the spark plugs is highly dependent on the design of the CD ignition.
What is a CDI ignition system?
The CDI ignition systems, therefore, allow the engine to keep running as long as there is a charge in the power source. The block diagram of CDI shown below. A Capacitor Discharge Ignition consists of several parts and is integrated with the ignition system of a vehicle.
What is the difference between a Kettering and a CD ignition?
The discharge capacitor within the CD ignition had the ability to provide a powerful spark in excess of 4 times the spark power of the Kettering system using the same coil, with the exception that spark energy could be maintained at high rpm unlike the Kettering system.
What are the advantages of CD ignitions?
Namely; a fast voltage rise time to fire fouled or wet spark plugs, high energy throughout the RPM range resulting in better starting, more power and economy, and lower emissions. A few engineers, scientists, and hobbyists had built CD ignitions throughout the 1950s using thyratrons (tube type).