ignition timing


ignition timing

[ig′nish·ən ‚tīm·iŋ] (electricity) The time of delivery of the spark from the coil to the spark plug in relation to the time the piston reaches the correct position for the power stroke in an internal combustion engine.

ignition timing

The timing of the ignition spark with respect to the piston position in the cylinder of a reciprocating engine. The ignition of the fuel-air mixture must take place when the piston is still moving upward during the compression stroke for the engine to produce maximum power. This ensures that the piston is pushed with the maximum force, as it starts moving down on its power stroke. See four-stroke cycle.