High Energy Ignition Diagnostics

Identify Ignition Faults BEFORE THEY HAPPEN

During normal wear of igniter (spark plugs), they often skip or operate intermittently as they approach end of
life. Chentronics offers a card that observes the release of energy, and indicates if the average is below minimum.
In addition, this option integrates Zero Voltage Contact ON/OFF control and observes the quality of the input
power source (allowing the operator to distinguish between the two most likely reasons for an ignition fault).
The diagnostic circuit is fail-safe; any fault of the diagnostic circuit will not affect normal operation. The
diagnostics option is available for all configurations including:
IGNITION FUEL

PACKAGING

APPLICATIONS

Gas

Safe, Hazardous Area

Burners, Pilots, Gas Turbines

Light Oil

Safe, Hazardous Area

Burners, Pilots, Gas Turbines

Diagnostics
CHENTRONICS
PO BOX 368, Norwich N.Y., U.S.A.
TEL: (607) 334-5531

Page 1
www.chentronics.com
FAX: (607) 336-7447

EMAIL: info@Chentronics.com

Contacts
NORMAL OPERATION

During normal startup, the LINE VOLT FAULT contacts remain open until line voltage has reached
approximately 60 VAC. Closing the CLOSE TO START terminals with power applied, the OUTPUT
FAULT contacts will close for at least one second and remain closed (until a fault condition is recognized).
Applying power with the CLOSE TO START terminals OPEN, the OUTPUT FAULT contacts will close
for approximately one second and then open (until the CLOSE TO START terminals are closed).Applying
power with the CLOSE TO START terminals CLOSED, the OUTPUT FAULT contacts will close for at
least one second and remain closed (until a fault condition is recognized).
LINE VOLT FAULT output terminals (3, 4)

When normal input power is applied (>60 VAC), K2 energizes closed. Without normal input power, K2 deenergizes open. These are isolated contacts capable of switching 0-400V (peak), 140mA AC/DC. The open
contact leakage current will be less than 1.5mA.
CLOSE TO START input terminals (-5, +6)

Closing (or shorting out) of terminals + to - energizes the exciter. This closure directs a signal to the
CONVERTER enable circuit, to begin sparking. These terminals provide open circuit voltage 12 VDC. The
isolated short circuit current is 12mA DC.
OUTPUT FAULT output terminals (1, 2)

The OUTPUT FAULT contacts "energize closed during normal operation" and "de-energize open during fault
conditions". These are isolated contacts capable of switching 0-400V (peak), 140mA AC/DC. The open contact
leakage current will be less than 1.5mA. The diagnostic circuit confirms normal discharge by observing the release
of energy from the energy storage capacitor.
Exciter Failure
If the sensed voltage pulse rate is, lower (i.e. 15%) than the exciter specified spark rate.
Igniter or Lead Failure
If the sensed current pulse rate is significantly lower (i.e. 30%) than the exciter specified spark rate. Please
note that integration of the difference between the actual and expected rates over approximately one
second prevents one or two consecutive missed pulses from causing a fault condition. This results in a
delay of approximately one second between the fault and the indicator signal.
FAULT CLEARING

The diagnostic Fault relay contacts will remain open until the exciter power reset, or the CLOSE TO START
signal is removed (opened).

Diagnostics
CHENTRONICS
PO BOX 368, Norwich N.Y., U.S.A.
TEL: (607) 334-5531

Page 2
www.chentronics.com
FAX: (607) 336-7447

EMAIL: info@Chentronics.com

Control Logic Diagram

L1
INPUT POWER
85-265VAC
-OR- 125VDC

INTERNAL
POWER
CONVERTER

12VDC
INTERNAL
POWER
L2
GND

ENABLES
SPARKING

K2
SOLID STATE
PHOTOVOLTAIC
AC/DC RELAY

LINE VOLT FAULT

(OPEN = FAULT)

1K

ELECTRONIC

ENABLE

CLOSE TO START
(USE MECHANICAL CONTACTS OR DC SOLID STATE RELAY)

CIRCUIT

K3

OUTPUT FAULT
(OPEN = FAULT)

Diagnostics
CHENTRONICS
PO BOX 368, Norwich N.Y., U.S.A.
TEL: (607) 334-5531

SOLID STATE
PHOTOVOLTAIC
AC/DC RELAY
Page 3
www.chentronics.com
FAX: (607) 336-7447

EMAIL: info@Chentronics.com

Diagnostics Signal

Time Delay to Signal

An output fault is indicated when the igniter spark rate is below 3.5 SPS. The time to signal (Td) is the delay time from when the spark rate (SR)
drops below 3.5 SPS. The following table defines Td for a variety of spark rates. The following equation governs the delay time:
Td = 3.5 / (3.5 SR)
SR (SPS)

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

Td (Seconds)

1.2

1.4

1.8

2.3

3.5

7.0

Exciter Input Current Characteristics

PN 07001102, 4 SPS
SUPPLY
VRMS

NORMAL OPERATING CURRENT

POWER
ARMS OVER
APEAK
APEAK AFTER PIN WATTS
SPARK PERIOD

85
120
230

0.8
0.9
0.5

BEFORE SPARK

1.2
1.5
0.9

INRUSH
APEAK

SPARK

0.5
0.6
0.4

108
102

1.0
2.5

Typical In-rush current duration is approximately 0.3 mS.

The input terminal can accept up to AWG #12 (4-mm2) wire. Input power wiring should be as large as possible, taking into consideration the
normal operating current noted above. The exciter has an internal 6.3 AMP Slow Blow fuse with an interrupt capability of 1500A. The
dimensions are 5mm X 20mm. The fuse is CE marked and complies with IEC 127V.
Diagnostics
CHENTRONICS
PO BOX 368, Norwich N.Y., U.S.A.
TEL: (607) 334-5531

Page 4
www.chentronics.com
FAX: (607) 336-7447

EMAIL: info@Chentronics.com

Input Wiring
CONNECTIONS

A hole is positioned along side the output connector for input power entrance. The input wires should be
AWG #16 or #12. Input power should be turned OFF at the source and steps should

be taken to ensure that it remains OFF before proceeding with the input wiring.
Be sure to provide weatherproof connections. Inside the exciter, connect the single-phase input power to the
L1 (Line), N (L2 Neutral) and G (Ground) terminations. The output wires connect to the output terminals
labeled HV and LO (tagged green wire). The output harness wire marked with a GREEN TAG MUST CONNECT
TO "LO".

The diagnostics board will allow a single set of contacts to "energize closed during normal operation" and
"de-energize open during fault conditions".
TERMINALS

CONNECTION DESCRIPTION

L2

AC or DC Line

GND

Earth Ground

CLOSE TO START

TERMINAL PAIR Operator closes this set of contacts to energize exciter output

HI

High Voltage Output

LO

High Voltage Return

LINE VOLT FAULT

TERMINAL PAIR - Energize (close) when line voltage is sufficient to operate exciter

OUTPUT FAULT

TERMINAL PAIR - Energize (close) when output energy is OK

L1

AC or DC Line

PHOTO:
Diagnostics
CHENTRONICS
PO BOX 368, Norwich N.Y., U.S.A.
TEL: (607) 334-5531

Internal Assembly PN 07070103D

Page 5
www.chentronics.com
FAX: (607) 336-7447

EMAIL: info@Chentronics.com