High-voltage ignition wires: purpose, operation

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

There are no trifles in the device of a modern car. Any element, even the most insignificant, always has its own, special meaning. Parts and components that are complex in design are even more important. One example is high-voltage ignition wires. It seems to be something insignificant. Actually it is not. Let's talk about them.

High voltage wires: what is it?

The main function and task of the BB wires in the car device is the transportation of high voltage discharges that come from the coils to the candles. The power and strength of this current is quite high. The indicators can reach 50 kV.

High-voltage ignition wires are arranged similarly to ordinary electrical wiring, which is in every apartment. The cord is based on a copper core, consisting of a huge number of thin wires. On top of this copper core is an insulator and a core. Elements are additionally coatedsilicone or rubber insulation. The wires on the candles have contacts at the ends. The latter are reliably protected from environmental influences by special protective caps. These elements must perform their tasks qualitatively, regardless of external factors. That is why a simple thing is so complicated. These elements can be divided into two types - regular and special.

Regular wires

Such products are distinguished by the presence of a metal center conductor. The BB-wire is covered on top with an insulating material based on rubber, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride. There is also a sheath on top of the insulator. It is necessary to protect the product from exposure to fuels and lubricants. These high voltage ignition wires have low resistance.

It is no more than 18-19 ohms. As for other characteristics, an ordinary wire is able to withstand voltages up to 15-25 kV. For normal operation, such a wire must be equipped with resistors, the task of which is to suppress interference.

Special wire features

They have a more complex device and differ in distributed parameters that perform the function of suppressing radio interference. The wire is a metal core and braids that are made from a variety of materials. It can be linen, cotton, kapron. The braid is impregnated with a graphite, ferroplast, manganese-nickel or zinc mixture. The special wire is characterized by better elasticity even at extremely low temperatures. BB wireof this quality withstands very serious bends, is not subject to overheating, does not dampen. At the ends of such products there are contacts attached by soldering or crimping, and protective caps. The latter are designed to protect the ends of the wires and prevent current leakage.

Signs of malfunction

High-voltage ignition wires, like other parts in a car, can fail. Consider typical signs that indicate malfunctions. So, problems with the wires can be reported by starting the motor - the start will be problematic.

Most of the difficulties with this occur in wet weather. Also, a malfunction of the wires is indicated by interruptions in the operation of the motor in the range of medium-high speeds. If the center wire is damaged, the engine will stall. Reduced engine power, increased fuel consumption. The "Check Engine" light on the instrument panel comes on.

Causes of malfunctions

Over time, the wires wear out slowly. The insulator is covered with microscopic cracks if made of rubber or silicone. The reason for this is only temperature differences in the engine compartment. Due to the large number of cracks, the insulator can no longer prevent current leakage. As a result, the candle does not have enough power to create a spark. If the portion of energy is small, the voltage will drop.

When no impulse comes to the candle at all, the spark formation time increases. If on wires anddirt has accumulated on the caps, it increases the conductivity of the insulation, and leakage from this will only intensify. At the time of leaks, the resistance of high-voltage ignition wires increases. Such malfunctions also occur due to oxidation of the contacts - the protective caps are depressurized, damaged, frayed. At low temperatures, the BB-wire loses its elasticity and becomes rigid. Significantly increases the risk of damage to the caps and insulation. Due to the constant vibrations that accompany the operation of the motor, the joints may loosen. Candle caps are more likely to suffer from high temperatures.

Diagnosis

If the insulation is broken, it can be heard - characteristic clicks will be heard. It can also be seen visually. If you look under the hood at night, then a spark is visible at the leaks. Sometimes there is a glow around the elements of the ignition system due to high humidity, before thunderstorms or with serious current leaks. Checking the high voltage ignition wires can be done by monitoring the energy of the spark plugs. How is it done?

To do this, a special spark gap is attached to the BB-wires. The starter at this time scrolls the crankshaft. If there are leakage currents or there is a lot of resistance in the secondary circuit, then a white and thin spark appears. It is worth remembering that in cars where a catalyst is installed, the fuel supply should be turned off. The arrester consists of two electrodes in a well-insulated housing. The gap between them must be at least 7 mm. If the tips are securely fastenedwires at a distance from the metal case of the motor, so you can simulate the operation of the arrester. Also carry out diagnostics using a multimeter. The device is set to the resistance measurement mode. Depending on the model of the measuring device, the readings differ. For diagnostics, the range from 3 to 10 kOhm is important. If the multimeter shows no resistance, then the wire is damaged and needs to be replaced.

Choosing and buying

It is important to choose the right wires. The stability of the engine depends on them. When choosing this product, you should focus on the manufacturer of the wires and the brand of the motor. Before buying high-voltage wires (VAZ 2110 is no exception), you need to carefully examine the packaging. Ideally, if it indicates the motor models for which the wires are suitable. If there is no information, it is better not to buy such a product.

When the main selection criterion is the quality of the insulation, the first thing to find out is the voltage parameters in a particular car. At maximum values, the insulation must withstand the load. The best wire is one that is made of materials that are not prone to excessive stiffness and do not break due to temperature changes.

Prices

Today the market offers a huge selection of different options for a variety of car models. For example, for good high-voltage ignition wires, the price will start at 500 rubles per set. It has 5 wires: 1 - to the coil, the rest - to the cylinders. Specialists offerpurchase wires of zero resistance. According to them, they are ideal for the car and transmit voltage without loss.