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 IGNITION SYSTEM
Purpose: Ignition Cables
o Pratt &Whitney Canada
A u nit ed Technologies Co mpany

Provide the spark to ignite the fuel/air mixture.
Description:
The spark ignition system consists of an airframe mounted
ignition exciter, two high-tension cables and two spark
igniters. The system is energized only during engine start
up and operates between 9-30 VDC range.
Two cables carry the electrical energy from the exciter box
to the igniters. Each cable consists of an insulated electrical
lead contained in a flexible metal braiding.
Spark Igniters
Located at 4 and 11 o'clock positions on the gas generator
case, the spark igniters are in the form of threaded plugs
with a central electrode enclosed in an annular semi-con
ducting material.

Exciter Box At high voltage level, the air between the central electrode
and the plug outer shell ionizes and allow a high-energy
The airframe mounted sealed unit, which transfers a low DC spark to discharge from the center electrode.
voltage input into a high output voltage. When the unit is
energized, a capacitor is progressively charged until the Caution
energy stored is sufficient to ionize a spark gap, then the
- Should an igniter plug be dropped , internal damage
capacitor discharges through the igniter plugs.
not detectable by test can occur. Recommendation
is to replace the spark igniter plug .
References
- Under no circumstance lubricant containing grease,
- Input voltage : 9-30 VDC ,silicone or such as petrolatum, can be used on any
- Input current : ' 3.5 Amp ignition component .
- Spark rate 10 VDC : 1 spark/sec - Do not allow any lubricant to come in contact with
- 30 VDC : 4 spark/sec central conductors of cables, or exciter connectors.
- Output voltage: 8,000 Volts Contact with conductors may result in high
- Sto red energy : 4.7 Joules resistance path , which could generate heat and
oxidation .

PT6T-3/6 TRAINING USE ONL Y IGNITION SYSTEM 7.2

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IGNITION SYSTEM
o Pratt & Whitney Canada

POWER TURBINE
STATOR HOUSING -----..

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COMBUSTION
CHAMBER

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GAS GENERATOR

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CASE

SPARK IGNITER ~ \
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\ / INPUT POWER RECEPTACLE
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/ IGNITION EXCITER

IGNITION LEADS

PT6T-3/6 TRA INING USE ONL Y IGNITION SYSTEM 7.3

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 IGNITION SYSTEM
Maintenance: Warning
o Pratt &Whitney Canada
A United Technologies Compan y

- Residual voltage in ignition exciter may be

Scheduled
dangerously high. Ensure ignition is switched OFF
- Inspect Spark Igniters for wear and erosion every 300
and system has been inoperative for at least 6
hours.
minutes before removing any ignition components.
- Carry out functional test by disconnecting one igni
- Always disconnect cable-coupling nuts at ignition
tion cable at the exciter box, switch ignition "ON" and
exciter end first .
listen for the sparking noise every 300 hours.
- Always use insulated tools to remove cable-coupling
- Inspect cables for chaffing and connectors for corro
nuts.
sion every 150 hours or 6 months.
- Do not touch output connectors or coupling nuts with
bare hands.
Unscheduled
- Inspect cooling holes of spark igniters for blockage.
- Inspect igniter shell and electrode for erosion.
- Proceed by elimination to find faulty components.

Refer to Engine Maintenance Manual for limits.

Notes
- Ignition systems components may be considered
"On Condition" with removal based on operator 's
experience. '
- The firing end of the igniters should never be
cleaned . Do not remove the carbon from the
electrodes or annular gap areas . Carbon deposits in
the gap area are an aid to the igniter operation .

PT6T3/6 TRAINING USE ONLY IGNITION SYSTEM 7.4

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SPARK IGNITER
o ~~~t! &W~itney Canada

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NEW IGNITER
SECTION A-A

PT6T-3/6 TRAININ G USE ONLY IGNITION SYSTEM 7.5

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