CH31547C - Champion Aerospace Premium Engine Ignition Plug Igniter

CH31547C – Champion Aerospace Premium Engine Igniter

Available now through the AirParts Aero marketplace.

Overview Section

The Champion CH31547C is a high-performance Turbine Engine Igniter engineered for the extreme environment of a jet engine’s combustion chamber.1 Unlike a standard piston engine spark plug that fires thousands of times per minute, the CH31547C is a high-energy discharge device designed to provide a massive, concentrated electrical arc to initiate combustion in turbine engines and Auxiliary Power Units (APUs).

Constructed with a specialized semiconductor surface-gap design, the CH31547C is built to withstand the intense thermal shock, high-velocity airflow, and pressure variables found during engine start sequences at both sea level and high altitudes. As a Premium series igniter from Champion Aerospace, it features advanced metallurgy to resist electrode erosion and "sooting," ensuring reliable ignition even in sub-zero or "flame-out" conditions.

Key Features Section

• High-Energy Surface Gap Technology: Designed to produce a robust spark that "creeps" across the insulator surface, ensuring reliable ignition even when moisture or fuel-fouling is present.

• Inconel and Nickel-Alloy Shell: Fabricated from super-alloys that resist high-temperature oxidation and chemical corrosion within the engine’s hot section.

• Premium Ceramic Insulator: Features a proprietary alumina-ceramic body with superior dielectric strength to prevent internal tracking and electrical leakage.

• Vibration-Resistant Sealing: Engineered with a specialized copper-glass internal seal that maintains hermetic integrity under the intense harmonic frequencies of a turbine engine.

• Foul-Resistant Tip: The semiconductor tip is designed to be self-cleaning, utilizing the high-energy discharge to burn off carbon deposits that can accumulate during low-power ground operations.

• Optimized for APU & Propulsion: Specifically calibrated for the voltage and joule-output of aircraft ignition exciters, ensuring maximum life for both the igniter and the exciter box.

Technical Specifications Section

Aircraft Compatibility Section

The CH31547C is a critical component for several popular turbine platforms in the AirParts Aero inventory:

• Beechcraft King Air: Found in the APU systems of larger Super King Air 300/350 variants.

• Cessna Citation: Primary igniter for various Honeywell/Garrett APUs used in the Citation 500, 550, and 650 series.

• Business Jets: Utilized in Gulfstream, Hawker, and Learjet auxiliary power units.

• Regional Transports: Common in the Embraer and Bombardier regional jet APU configurations.

Technical Applications & Safety

The igniter is the "match" that starts the engine. In a turbine, once combustion is established, the igniters are typically turned off. However, during heavy rain, icing, or takeoff, they are often set to "Continuous" to prevent a flame-out. The CH31547C is built for this continuous duty cycle, but it is a "wear item."

Safety Warning: Never "bench test" a CH31547C by connecting it to an exciter box outside of the engine without proper safety shielding. The high-energy discharge is lethal and can cause severe electrical shock or permanent eye damage. Always measure the tip erosion with a "go/no-go" gauge during inspections; if the semiconductor is worn flush with the shell, the igniter will fail to fire under high-altitude pressure.

Technical Engineering Insight

The engineering excellence of the CH31547C lies in its Semiconductor Tip Geometry. Standard spark plugs require a specific "air gap" to jump. The CH31547C uses a surface gap where the spark travels across a semiconductor material. This significantly lowers the "breakdown voltage" required to start the arc, which reduces the electrical stress on the aircraft’s Ignition Exciter.

By choosing the genuine Champion CH31547C through AirParts Aero, you are ensuring that the thermal expansion rate of the ceramic insulator matches the Inconel shell. This prevents "internal arcing" which can destroy the igniter lead. Furthermore, the CH31547C is designed to provide a consistent spark position, which is vital for the "light-off" characteristics of the engine, preventing "hot starts" that can lead to thousands of dollars in turbine blade damage.

Installation & Maintenance Addendum

1. Anti-Seize Application: Always use the specific high-temperature anti-seize compound (typically copper or nickel-based) recommended by the Engine Maintenance Manual to prevent the igniter from "welding" into the combustor case.

2. Lead Alignment: When attaching the ignition lead (the "Big Wire"), ensure the terminal is clean and dry. Moisture inside the lead connection will cause a "short to ground" before the energy reaches the igniter tip.

3. Visual Inspection: Look for "glazing" on the ceramic or pitting on the shell. If the ceramic shows "tracking" (black lines), the electrical energy is leaking and the unit must be replaced.

Champion CH31547C Ignition Plug Engine Igniter

The Champion CH31547C Ignition Plug Engine Igniter exemplifies Champion's dedication to meticulous engineering and dependable functionality within the aerospace sector. The ignition plug, which is particularly engineered for aviation engines, serves a crucial role in facilitating a seamless and effective engine initiation procedure.

The CH31547C Ignition Plug is engineered using premium materials to provide durability and resilience in the face of the demanding operational circumstances encountered within an aviation engine, including elevated temperatures and high-pressure surroundings. The primary purpose of the spark plug is to initiate combustion within the engine's combustion chamber by igniting the fuel-air combination, which is an essential process for the engine's functioning.

One notable characteristic of this igniter is its exceptional durability. The electrode, which is responsible for generating the spark, is fabricated using materials that exhibit high resistance to wear and erosion, therefore assuring a sustained and constant spark during prolonged periods of utilization. The maintenance of the engine's performance and efficiency relies heavily on this uniformity.

In addition, it should be noted that the Honeywell 369949-3 Ignition Plug has been subjected to extensive testing in order to comply with the tough criteria established by the aerospace sector. The design of this component guarantees efficient conductivity, hence reducing the likelihood of misfires, which can have negative consequences on both engine performance and safety.

The CH31547C Ignition Plug has a dual purpose, encompassing both its primary function of initiating combustion in the fuel-air combination, as well as its secondary duty of monitoring the engine's operational state. Through the examination of the spark, technicians are able to get valuable knowledge on the overall condition of the engine, allowing prompt maintenance interventions and so guaranteeing the engine's durability.

In essence, the Champion CH31547C Ignition Plug Engine Igniter is a fusion of meticulous engineering and inventive design, serving as a crucial element in optimizing the operational efficiency of aviation engines. Due to its high level of dependability and efficiency, it is widely favored by several professionals within the aerospace sector.

Alternate Part Numbers: CH31547, 369949-3, 10-390638-1, 0270821, 0271600, 3699491, 369949-1, 3699493, 369949-3, 2925-01-029-5130, 01-029-5130, 2925010295130, 010295130, 103906381

For use on Honeywell Engines - Formerly Allied Signal - TPE331

For use on the following Aircraft

• CASA 
• • C212-200
  • C212-300
• Commander Div.
  
• • 680T
  • 680V
  • 680W
  • 681
  • 690A
  • 690B
  • 840
  • TPE331 
  • 900
  • 980
  • 1000
• Beechcraft
• • King Air B100
• British Aerospace
• • Jetstream 31
• Cessna
• • Conquest II
• Dornier
• • 228-100-200, 101, 201, 212
• Fairchild
• • Merlin IIB, IVC, Metro-III, SA-227-AT, AC, TT/41
• Mitsubishi
• • MU-2B, D, F, G J, K, MU2B-40, MU2B-60, MY2S

The Champion Aerospace Turbine Engine Igniter is equipped with a silver-plated shell, which serves the purpose of safeguarding against corrosion and preventing seizing at mechanical contacts.

The design has advanced glass and mechanical sealing features located externally to the combustor case, aiming to provide protection against gas leakage in high temperature environments.

The internal configuration design aims to enhance the dissipation of heat away from terminations in order to safeguard the integrity of sensitive ignition lead components.

An internal protective coating is applied to avoid the seizing of lead components.

The implementation of exterior wear and thermal barrier coatings serves as a protective measure against wear and thermal distress, hence safeguarding the life-limiting characteristics.

REFERENCE UNISON PART NUMBER 10-390638-1