For more than a century, SMP^® Engineered Solutions has developed innovative, high-performance products for vehicle control applications. As part of our extensive offerings supporting both on- and off-highway vehicles, SMP carries a range of ignition coils for reliable engine ignition. Learn more about these coils, the many types available on the market, and how high-quality products from SMP can help support efficiency and functionality in your ignition system.

Ignition Coils Explained

As a specific type of induction coil, ignition coils are applicable for spark-ignition engines to use in their ignition systems. These coils increase a system’s battery voltage to significantly higher levels, providing sufficient power to set off the spark plugs, ignite an engine’s air-fuel mixture, and start the engine.

Ignition coils comprise three main elements: an iron core with a primary and secondary copper winding wrapped around it. While the primary winding, or coil, consists of heavier wire with minimal turns, the smaller wire of the secondary winding has turns numbering in the thousands. The secondary coil also employs layers of enamel coating, oiled paper, or cured epoxy to insulate it from the high-voltage power.

In these coils, electrical current flows through the primary winding when the electrical circuit closes between the primary winding and the vehicle battery or power source. These circuits use transistors or contact breakers to achieve a closed circuit, and this forms a magnetic field. If a switch cuts off the current flow from the power source, the magnetic field then dissipates along the secondary coil, enabling the flow of high-voltage currents through the secondary winding to the spark plug, igniting the engine.

Types of Ignition Coils

Ignition coil manufacturers offer multiple types of these coils, making it important to understand the differences between them and determine the optimal choice for an application. At SMP, we offer an array of ignition coils to fulfill our clients’ varied needs. Options include:

Applications of Ignition Coils

As discussed, high-performance vehicles utilize ignition coils to facilitate efficient, strong spark transmittal and optimize power generation, often using a more rugged design and stronger windings. The same is true for racecar engines, though they typically use double ignition coils. This allows for greater spark and enhanced vehicle performance.

Vehicles with oil motors or car start frameworks also make use of ignition coils. One vehicle application for which the coils are not well suited, however, is in running structure diesel motors.

Why Choose SMP Engineered Solutions for Ignition Coils?

Ignition coils effectively ignite spark plugs and an engine’s air-fuel mixture, but to achieve the best possible performance for your ignition system, turn to the vehicle control experts at SMP. We offer an extensive selection of brands and customizable products to meet your needs wherever you are, operating out of ISO- and IATF-certified facilities in both North America and worldwide. In addition to parts like switches, sensors, clamps, and more for successful vehicle control, we also specialize in thermal management components for added versatility. Our team can handle everything from sourcing raw materials and engineering to custom manufacturing and end-of-line testing to provide turnkey solutions and lasting components.