Collection: Spark Plugs And Glow Plugs

Spark Plugs and Glow Plugs 

A spark plug will deliver electric current from an ignition system to the combustion chamber of an Internal combustion spark-ignition engine to ignite the compressed fuel/air mixture by virtue of  an electric spark, while containing combustion pressure within the engine. A spark plug has a metal threaded shell, electrically isolated from a central electrode by a ceramic insulator. The central electrode, which can contain a resistor, is connected by way of  an insulated wire that connects to the output terminal of an ignition coil or magneto. The spark plug is screwed into the engine's cylinder head and thus electrically grounded. The central electrode protrudes through the porcelain insulator into the combustion chamber, forming one or more spark gaps between the inner end of the central electrode. 

A glowplug (alternatively spelled as glow plug or glow-plug) is a heating device used to aid when cold starting diesel engines. In cold weather, diesel engines can be difficult to start because the combustion chambers work on high pressure heat and the mass of the cylinder block and cylinder head absorb the heat of compression, preventing ignition. Pre-chambered engines use small glowplugs inside the pre-chambers. Direct-injected engines have these glowplugs in the combustion chamber. The glowplug is a pencil-shaped piece of metal with a heating element at the tip. This heating element, when electrified, heats due to its electrical resistance and begins to emit light in the visible spectrum, thus the terminology glowplug. The visual effect is similar to the heating element in a toaster. 

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