AUTOMOTIVE MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY
SUBJECT: AUTOTRONIC 2
TITLE: BREAKER-TRIGGERED TRANSISTORISED IGNITION TI-B
Breaker-triggered transistorized ignition TI-B
The ignition distributor of the breaker- triggered transistorized ignition system
(TI-B) is identical to the ignition distributor of the breaker-triggered coil ignition
system (CI).
However, the contact breaker no longer needs to switch the primary current
but only the control current for the transistorized ignition system.
The transistorized ignition system itself plays the role of a current amplifier
and switches the primary current via an ignition transistor (generally a
Darlington transistor).
In order to facilitate understanding, the wiring of the contact and the function
of a simple TI-B are compared below to a breaker- triggered coil-ignition
system.
Operating principle
Figures that shown below clearly show that the breaker-triggered
transistorized ignition system is a further development of the conventional,
non-electronic coil-ignition system: the transistor T is used as the circuit
breaker in place of the contact breaker and assumes its switching function in
the primary circuit of the ignition system.
However, since the transistor has a relay characteristic, it must be caused to
switch in the same way as the relay.
This can be done, for instance, as shown below, with a control switch. Such
transistorized ignition systems are thus termed breaker-triggered.
In Bosch transistorized ignition systems, the cam-operated breaker performs
the function of this control switch.
When the contact is closed, a control current Is flows to the base B and the
transistor is electrically conductive between the emitter E and the collector C.
In this condition, it corresponds to a switch in the "On" position and current
can flow through the primary winding L1 of the ignition coil.
However, if the contact of the breaker is open no control current flows through
to the base and the transistor is electrically non-conductive.
It thus blocks the primary current and, in this condition, corresponds to a
switch in the "Off" position.
Semester : 2/3 Date : July. 2016
Duration : 5 Page :Page 1 / 6
AUTOMOTIVE MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY
SUBJECT: AUTOTRONIC 2
TITLE: BREAKER-TRIGGERED TRANSISTORISED IGNITION TI-B
Advantages
The breaker-triggered transistorized ignition system has two essential
advantages over the breaker-triggered coil- ignition system:
An increase in the primary current and
Considerably longer service life of the breaker contact.
The primary current can be increased if using a switching transistor since a
mechanical contact can switch currents of only up to 5 A for long periods and
with the required frequency.
Since the stored energy is proportional to the square of the primary current,
the power of the ignition coil increases and, thus, also all high-voltage data
such as secondary available voltage spark duration and spark current.
Thus, a breaker-triggered transistorized ignition system also re- quires a
special ignition coil in addition to the ignition trigger box.
A far longer service life of the TI-B results from the fact that the contact
breaker is not required to switch high currents.
Semester : 2/3 Date : July. 2016
Duration : 5 Page :Page 2 / 6
AUTOMOTIVE MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY
SUBJECT: AUTOTRONIC 2
TITLE: BREAKER-TRIGGERED TRANSISTORISED IGNITION TI-B
In addition, the TI-B is also not subject to two other problems which
indefinably reduce the secondary available voltage of contact-triggered coil-
ignition systems.
Contact chatter and the contact-breaking spark which results from the
inductance of the ignition coil.
The contact-breaking spark reduces the available energy and delays the high-
voltage rise, particularly at low engine speed and when starting.
Conversely, contact chatter occurs at high engine speeds owing to the high
switching frequency of the contact and is a disturbing influence.
The contact bounces when closing and thus charges the ignition coil less
intensely, precisely at a point in time at which the dwell period is reduced
anyway.
The first negative characteristic of the contact breaker is not applicable to the
breaker-triggered transistorized ignition system, the second is.
Semester : 2/3 Date : July. 2016
Duration : 5 Page :Page 3 / 6
AUTOMOTIVE MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY
SUBJECT: AUTOTRONIC 2
TITLE: BREAKER-TRIGGERED TRANSISTORISED IGNITION TI-B
Circuit
On a breaker-triggered transistorized ignition system, the ignition trigger box
(control unit) is connected between terminal 1 of the ignition distributor (i.e.
the contact breaker) and terminal 1 of the ignition coil.
In addition, the ignition trigger box requires one further terminal 15 for its
power supply and a ground connection 31.
The primary circuit of the ignition coil is powered via a pair of ballast resistors
which are normally connected in series.
When starting, the left-hand ballast resistor is by- passed by terminal 50 at
the starter.
This means that a higher supply voltage is applied to the ignition coil via the
right- hand ballast resistor.
It compensates for the disadvantages which result from the starting operation
and the resulting reduction in battery voltage.
Ballast resistors serve to limit the primary current in the case of low-
resistance, rapidly chargeable ignition coils.
They thus pre- vent overload of the ignition coil, particularly at low engine
speeds, and thus protect the ignition contact breaker since the dwell angle is
still determined by the distributor cam.
Since the ignition coil actually requires a constant period for charging but
does not operate with a fixed dwell angle, there is too much time available at
low engine speeds for charging and too little at high engine speeds.
Ballast resistors' and a rapidly chargeable ignition coil permit an optimum
situation over the entire operating range.
On older vehicles, the TI-B was an original equipment item. It has now been
displaced by the transistorized ignition with maintenance-free trigger systems.
However, as a retrofit-equipment set, the TI-B is still well-suited for
substantially improving the ignition characteristics on vehicles with breaker-
triggered coil-ignition systems fitted as standard.
This is why it is advisable to retrofit such a system in the case of general
ignition problems, specifically in the case of starting difficulties, and if the
vehicle is to be used largely for stop-and-go driving.
Semester : 2/3 Date : July. 2016
Duration : 5 Page :Page 4 / 6
AUTOMOTIVE MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY
SUBJECT: AUTOTRONIC 2
TITLE: BREAKER-TRIGGERED TRANSISTORISED IGNITION TI-B
Semester : 2/3 Date : July. 2016
Duration : 5 Page :Page 5 / 6
AUTOMOTIVE MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY
SUBJECT: AUTOTRONIC 2
TITLE: BREAKER-TRIGGERED TRANSISTORISED IGNITION TI-B
Semester : 2/3 Date : July. 2016
Duration : 5 Page :Page 6 / 6
