Since electricity always takes the shortest path of least resistance then only one electrode is being used and wouldn't no electrode work better allowing the spark to jump anywhere around the circle???
2006-12-15 03:14:33 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Zeke, "voltage increases faster on pointy places???? yea, right! and the scientific name is lightning rod??? seriously,...the reason the spark changes to a "pointy electrode" is becaust as the first electrode wears it gets shorter making the spark choose the newer because it doesn't have to jump as far...newer electrode=shorter gap.
2006-12-15 03:44:50 · update #1
I've never seen so many made up answers.
The multi electrode plugs are pure snake oil. A good platinum regular type plug will last close to 100,000 miles.
The electrode is just the non grounded part of the plug. You have to have that. Some plugs do come without the L shaped part, and just spark from the middle to anywhere on the outer circle.
2006-12-15 08:27:33 · answer #1 · answered by Nomadd 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The cars ignition of today is sending a much more powerful electrical charge towards the end of the spark plug versus what was used 20 years ago.
When millions of electrical pulses get to the end of the plug if they have to wait in line for their turn to jump off the end of one electrode you have a one at a time type of delay versus if there is 4 electrodes now four little electro guys can jump at the same time. This action actually supports the path of least resistance idea.
The ignition system of a vehicle is a bit more complex than this but that is the basic principle in simplified terms.
2006-12-15 05:10:39 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
having an extra 1,2or even 3 ground side electrodes creates a larger spark area and hence a better burn in the combustion chamber which in theory = more power+less emissions etc the correct gap between center and ground electrodes is quite important in determining the intensity of the spark and varies between engine design capacity and use.a fairly modern jap car will run on the same plugs for ages until the ignition module craps out because of excessive plug gap causing to much load on ignition system. if you had no ground electrode there would virtually no spark because the coil would not be able to build up enough voltage in its short cycle to make a spark of any substance to jump to a ground point. or may be I'm wrong and i should go to bed who knows
2006-12-15 07:37:51 · answer #3 · answered by colin b 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My feeling is that the only benefit of more electrodes is the plugs will last longer, because there are more places for the spark to jump to. With a single electrode, there's only ONE, and that one will wear out quicker.
In the old days, plugs were removed, cleaned, gapped, and re-installed. We don't do that any more, as they don't get dirty before their useful life is up. (normally) Extremely worn engines are another matter.
If you allow the spark to jump to the edge of the plug, as I think you are suggesting, you MAY have a problem with the threads when you try to unscrew it out of the head.
2006-12-15 03:27:48 · answer #4 · answered by Trump 2020 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
electrons spread themselves out evenly, when the electrons on one electrode leave (the plug fires) the electrons on others can continue to build up.
as a spark plug is used, the current rounds off the sharp corners on the electrodes. voltages increase faster on pointy places, so when an electrode wears and becomes rounded the spark plug requires a higher and higher voltage before it will fire. by having multiple electrodes, each one wears out slower because they share the load.
2006-12-15 03:28:47 · answer #5 · answered by disco legend zeke 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. The more surface area, the easier it is for the spark to jump. This also aids when deposits form on the spark plug.
2006-12-15 03:23:56 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋