Used in: Older vehicles (typically before the 1980s)

Key components: Ignition coil, distributor, mechanical breaker points, condenser, and spark plugs

Working principle: Mechanical breaker points open and close in sync with the engine rotation. This action interrupts the current flow in the ignition coil’s primary circuit, causing a voltage surge in the secondary coil, which is delivered as a spark to the spark plugs via the distributor (Delgado & Stockel, 2020).

Disadvantages: Requires frequent maintenance due to the mechanical wear of breaker points and condensers, which can lead to ignition timing issues and misfires over time (Erjavec & Thompson, 2015). 

The Electronic Ignition (EI) System has been widely used in modern vehicles since the 1980s. It consists of key components such as the ignition coil, control module, spark plugs, and either a distributor or crankshaft and camshaft position sensors. Unlike traditional systems that use mechanical contact points, EI systems rely on electronic sensors and a control unit to manage spark timing. This results in improved reliability, reduced maintenance, and enhanced performance with more precise ignition timing. These benefits make EI systems superior to their mechanical predecessors in both efficiency and durability (Delgado & Stockel, 2020). 

The Distributor-less Ignition System (DIS) became common in vehicles from the 1990s through the 2000s. This system eliminates the need for a traditional distributor by using multiple ignition coils, each of which typically serves two cylinders in what’s known as a waste spark system. DIS relies on crankshaft and camshaft position sensors along with the engine control unit (ECU) to manage spark timing. With fewer mechanical components, DIS offers increased reliability, improved fuel efficiency, and reduced maintenance needs (Delgado & Stockel, 2020). 

The Coil-On-Plug (COP) Ignition System is used in most modern vehicles from the 2000s onward. In this system, each cylinder has its own dedicated ignition coil mounted directly on top of the spark plug, eliminating the need for traditional spark plug wires. The engine control unit (ECU) manages the precise timing of each coil’s firing based on input from various sensors. This design allows for more accurate spark timing, improved fuel efficiency, better performance, and reduced emissions due to the elimination of voltage loss typically seen in older systems (Delgado & Stockel, 2020). 

The Capacitor Discharge Ignition (CDI) system is commonly used in motorcycles, small engines, and high-performance vehicles such as race cars. This system stores electrical energy in a capacitor and releases it very rapidly to the ignition coil, generating a quick, high-voltage spark. Its main components include a capacitor, ignition coil, trigger coil, and spark plug. CDI systems are especially effective at high engine speeds because they provide strong, fast sparks, reducing misfires and improving combustion. However, they are generally more complex and costly compared to traditional systems (Delgado & Stockel, 2020). 

The Transistorized Ignition System (TI or TCI) is used in some motorcycles and earlier generations of electronic ignition systems. Unlike traditional systems that rely on mechanical breaker points to interrupt current, the TCI system utilizes a transistor to control the switching of current flow to the ignition coil. This design enhances durability by eliminating moving contact points, which are prone to wear. It also allows for faster and more reliable switching, resulting in improved ignition timing and reduced maintenance compared to mechanical systems (Delgado & Stockel, 2020).