Ignition coil

An ignition coil (also called a spark coil) is an induction coil in an automobile's ignition system that transforms the dynamo's voltage to the thousands of volts needed to create an electric spark in the spark plugs to ignite the fuel. Some coils have an internal resistor, while others rely on a resistor wire or an external resistor to limit the current flowing into the coil from the car's 12-volt supply. The wire that goes from the ignition coil to the distributor and the high voltage wires that go from the distributor to each of the spark plugs are called spark plug wires or high tension leads. Originally, every ignition coil system required mechanical contact breaker points and a capacitor (condenser). Ignition systems are not required for diesel engines which rely on compression to ignite the fuel/air mixture.