• Several diffierent types of electronic ignition systems are used in modern vehicles.llaves en mano image by Norberto Lauria from Fotolia.com
  
  Electronic ignition systems first came into wide use in the 1970s. They were originally created to improve vehicle emissions but turned out to provide much greater horsepower and torque in vehicle engines. Since their introduction, several types of electronic ignition systems have become widely used in automobiles throughout the world. Knowing these different types can be useful for any vehicle owner.
  
  

Transistor-assisted Electronic Ignition Systems

• Transistor-assisted electronic ignition systems are probably the simplest type, primarily because they use most of the components of older ignition systems. These systems included mechanical contact points which were subject to significant amounts of wear and tear. These systems solve this problem by using the contact points as low-voltage triggers for a separate, solid-state switching system which handles the higher currents necessary to start a vehicle.
  
  

Optical Trigger Electronic Ignition Systems

• These type of electronic ignition systems do not use any sort of contact points but instead employ a beam of light which is broken by a vaned rotor, which, in turn, sends a signal to the electronic circuitry in the system which switches on a large current.
  
  

Magnetic Trigger Electronic Ignition Systems

• Magnetic trigger electronic ignition systems operate on the same concept as the optical trigger systems, but instead of a light they use a magnetic Hall Effect Sensor to send the message to the electric circuitry which sets the current in motion.
  
  

Induction Electronic Ignition Systems

• This type of electronic ignition system contains a coil which stores the power necessary to create the spark that sets the engine in motion. When the ignition is activated, the power supply to the coil is shut off, which triggers the release of electrical energy. This very simple design is sometimes referred to as the "Kettering system," named after the inventor of the modern ignition system.
  
  

Capacitive Discharge Ignition Systems

• Capacitive discharge ignition (CDI) systems came into wide use in the 1960s. These systems have marine and automotive applications. CDI systems contain a capacitor storage system that sends a small amount of voltage into a coil similar to the type used in induction systems, except the coil here acts like a transformer and magnifies the power of the voltage. CDI systems are quicker and more efficient than most other types of ignition systems.