Analyzing MIT Prof's Spark Plug Circuit Example: Is He Wrong?

In summary, the MIT prof's analysis of RLC circuits is faulty. He does not take into account things like the voltage across the inductor (24K), the time constant of the kickback waveform, or how the switch opens the circuit. His analysis is more realistic than the 12V answer, but I don't like it because it doesn't take into account the kickback voltage.
  • #1
embeddeduser
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Hi all. I recently read an article by a MIT prof. about RLC etc ckts in which he has given a spark plug example. I think the analysis given by him is faulty. The link to the document is here:

http://ocw.mit.edu/NR/rdonlyres/3EBFD5FD-DCF5-422A-A7E3-E1312C74153D/0/trns1_rc_lc_rlc1.pdf [Broken]

I have also attached the same pdf with the post.

On the 4th page he has given a single inductor automobile spark plug circuit (fig 5 of document) example.

According to his calculations the voltage induced across the inductor is 24K. Which is huge and I think his way of calculating is wrong.

Actually, if we analyze it correctly. The time constant of the circuit is L/R = 0.002 sec (2 ms) Hence the amount of current that can be developed in the inductor within 1us is calculated to be around 0.00119A and hence the max voltage across the inductor can be calculated as L(di/dt) ie:
0.01(0.00119/1u) = 11.97 Volts. This seems to be more realistic and much more accurate.

This is why in actual sparking circuits we use a secondary induction coil to multiply the voltage to about 20K Volts.

Please comment on whether my analysis is correct.

One last question - Once the switch is opened the inductor circuit is broken it can be alalysed as an R-L ckt with infinite resistance and hence zero time constant. Is this why theoritically we have infinite voltage developed across the inductor?
 

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  • #2
I don't like his analysis, but his answer is more realistic than your 12V answer. Think about what a spark plug is -- it's a controlled spark source, and the arcs that are sustained across the output are around 10kV to 20kV in order to be able to jump the gap.

The problem I have with his analysis is that he doesn't explain what determines the output time constant of the kickback waveform. When the switch is opened, what you are left with is the energy in the inductor, and the parallel capacitance across the inductor. The output voltage reaches a peak and comes back down (and would ring the other way if there were no loss), and that kick voltage waveform is basically the positive half of a sine wave, with the period determined by the parallel LC components. The capacitance comes from the physical wires and capacitance of the plug itself. Of course, once the voltage gets high enough to start the arc, the voltage plunges quickly because the impedance across the arc is very low. The arc is sustained as long as the energy is dumping out of the inductor.

Quiz question -- to match the arc time that he indicates, what would the parallel capacitance have to be?
 
  • #3
Induced voltage across the inductor is

[tex]v = L \frac{\Delta i}{\Delta t} [/tex]By collapsing the current in the shortest possible time, as t approaches 0, the induced voltage approaches infinity.
 
  • #4
I didn't bother reading through any of it. I think the whole thing is pointless because there is no secondary winding which puts the high voltage spike across the switch contacts (points) which would never allow the voltage to reach 24KV. They would arc as soon as they have opened a fraction of an inch.
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However, the spike generated on the primary side of an ignition coil on a gas engine can easily reach a hundred or more volts when the points open. How high it gets depends on how the secondary coil is loaded, how well arcing is controlled at the breaker points, the type of steel used in the core of the coil, those are just a start.
 
  • #5
Thanks all for the answers.
The problem I have with the pdf analysis is:
1) The way he arrives at 24K volts seems faulty. Here again there are two things that I find wrong.
a) According to the formula V = L delta(i)/delta(t).
He puts delta(i) = 2.4 A and delta(t) = 10u secs
First things is within 10u secs the current will not drop by 2.4 A.
You need to have the capacitance value to calculate this.
b) How did he get the 10u sec value for the inductor current dissipation.

2) The 12 volt analysis that I have done is using the L-R values only (this is also wrong) and hence I am getting a 12 V spike. Practically the inductor will be in series with a capacitor forming an LCR and there will be another secondary coil which will give the voltage boosting. The Primary LCR is only for the sustained oscillations so that the arc remains for a longer time.

Another point by averagesupernova is very correct about the sparking of the switch. This is another reason (electrical isolation) that the secondary coil is used. The main reason being the voltage multiplication.

Please comment on this analysis. Thanks
 
  • #6
All mechanical distributors have a capacitor across the points to help limit arcing when they open. Even so, the big voltage across them causes arcing, which eventually eats up the contacts. That's why the points need regular replacement.
 

1. Is the MIT professor's spark plug circuit example accurate?

The accuracy of the MIT professor's spark plug circuit example depends on several factors, such as the quality of the components used and the environmental conditions in which the circuit is tested. It is always important to conduct multiple experiments and gather data from various sources to ensure the accuracy of any scientific example.

2. What is the purpose of the spark plug circuit example?

The purpose of the spark plug circuit example is to demonstrate the principles of circuit analysis and to provide a real-life application for these principles. It also serves as a learning tool for students to understand the behavior of different components in a circuit.

3. Are there any alternative explanations for the results of the spark plug circuit example?

There could be alternative explanations for the results of the spark plug circuit example, such as the use of faulty components or errors in the experimental setup. It is important to thoroughly analyze the data and consider all possible factors before drawing conclusions.

4. Can the spark plug circuit example be applied to other circuits or systems?

While the spark plug circuit example is specific to a spark plug, the principles of circuit analysis demonstrated in this example can be applied to other circuits and systems. However, the results may vary depending on the specific components and conditions of the circuit being analyzed.

5. How can I use the spark plug circuit example for my own research or experiments?

You can use the spark plug circuit example as a reference or starting point for your own research or experiments. It is important to carefully design your experimental setup and gather data to compare with the results of the spark plug circuit example to ensure the accuracy and validity of your findings.

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