pressurized ignition

pressurized ignition

A type of ignition system for high-altitude operation of reciprocating engines. To prevent high voltage inside an unpressurized distributor from jumping to the wrong electrode or to ground because of low air pressure at high altitudes, the distributor and high-voltage spark plug leads area is pressurized with compressed air from the supercharger, which provides higher air density. The insulating capability of materials decreases as atmospheric pressure decreases.