How Cigarette Lighter Works in Car

How cigarette lighter works in car

Introduction

Have you ever wondered about how that little cigarette lighter in your car actually works?

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So we are going to overlook its features, but understanding its inner workings can be quite fascinating.

In this article, So we are going to take a closer look at the mechanism behind your car’s cigarette lighter and explore the magic that brings it to life.

Power Source and Wiring

The cigarette lighter in your car is powered by the vehicle’s electrical system, which delivers 12-volt direct current (DC) power.

This DC voltage is supplied by the car’s battery, which gets charged by the alternator while the engine is running ( so don’t worry about battery over discharging ).

The electrical system is cleverly connected to the cigarette lighter through wiring, allowing the flow of electric current to the device.

The Marvelous Heating Element of Electric Cigarette Lighter

At the heart of the cigarette lighter lies the incredible heating element. This material is made of a special name called nichrome wire, known for its ability to withstand high temperatures.

To enhance its efficiency, the wire is coiled or shaped into a small loop, maximizing its surface area and enabling effective heat generation.

Working of Ignition Coil in Cigarette Light

To activate the cigarette lighter, you simply push it into the socket until it clicks. This simple action completes the electrical circuit, triggering the flow of current through the heating element. As the circuit closes, electricity passes through the nichrome wire, causing it to heat up rapidly.

Element is Hotter than Hot

As electricity courses through the heating element, something magical happens—the wire starts to heat up.

So it will reaches extraordinary temperatures ( Red hot ), ranging from 600 to 900 degrees Celsius (1100 to 1650 degrees Fahrenheit).

This impressive heat is generated due to the wire’s high resistance, converting electrical energy into thermal energy.

It is important to remember that the heating element can get extremely hot, so i am recommending you to never touch it directly with fingers to prevent burns.

The Lighter Element Takes the Stage

With the heating element now blazing hot, the lighter element comes into play. This refers to the metal coil or loop situated at the top of the cigarette lighter.

Once the heating element reaches its operating temperature, you can insert a cigarette or any other flammable object into the lighter element.

The intense heat emanating from the coil then ignites the tobacco or other material, creating the desired flame.

Power Considerations

While the cigarette lighter offers convenience, it’s crucial to remember its power limitations.

It wasn’t designed to handle high power devices like laptops or appliances with substantial power requirements.

Attempting to draw excessive power from the cigarette lighter can lead to blown fuses or damage to your car’s electrical system.

Conclusion

The cigarette lighter in your car may seem like a small feature. So i hope you will understanding its inner workings and more.

if you are planning to install cigarette lighter on your car adds a touch of wonder to your driving experience.

From the electrical circuit to the magical heating element, it’s fascinating to see how such a seemingly simple device can create fire.

So, next time you use your car’s cigarette lighter, take a moment to appreciate the engineering marvel that brings it to life, making your journeys a little brighter.

Akhil Satheesh

Akhil Satheesh

👋 Hello there! I'm Akhil Satheesh, Founder and CEO of Solderingmind.com. I am an expert in building innovative electronic circuit and PCB designing. Most of the tested electronic projects are sharing with you.

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