Ignition Magneto

An ignition magneto is a permanent magnet electrical generator adapted to produce pulses of high voltage for spark plugs. The use of ignition magnetos is now confined mainly to engines where there is no available electrical supply, for example in lawnmowers and chainsaws. It is also widely used in aviation piston engines even though an electrical supply is usually available. This is because a magneto ignition system is more reliable than a battery-coil system. People discussing magnetos and coils used in early internal-combustion engines generally used the term "tension" instead of the more modern term "voltage."