If you’ve had experience working with stationary gas engines, whether in compressor stations, cogeneration power plants, or in the oil fields where pumpjacks work, you’ve undoubtedly come into contact with Altronic components, even if the Altronic name didn’t immediately stand out. The reliability of Altronic llc ignition and control systems has earned them the position as the OEM standard on most of the major stationary gas engine manufacturers’ models, and the obvious answer to the question of “why Altronic” is therefore straightforward: years of proven reliability of use in all types of environments, from the Arctic to Middle Eastern deserts.
This article will explain exactly what Altronic makes, what makes the Altronic name synonymous with reliable ignition and control systems, and some important information about ordering Altronic ignition or control components.
History behind the Industry Standard
The history of the company started in 1953 when the development of a transistorized, continuous spark ignition system was first undertaken in Youngstown, Ohio. In those days, the magneto ignition was the only available ignition technology for industrial engines. During the ’60s, while still operating under the name of the Altronic Division of the Economy Engine Company, the company concentrated its efforts on creating ignition systems which would be more reliable than magneto and could replace them on industrial engines which operated constantly.
In 1984 the company changed its name to Altronic, Inc., and soon it presented a new generation of ignition systems which were based on the use of digital circuits. This allowed increasing the accuracy of timing, making the adjustment of timing electronic, as well as getting diagnostic feedback which was impossible in previous analog systems. And this was one of the reasons why Altronic systems became the OEM standard chosen by most of the stationary gas engine manufacturers around the world instead of remaining a mere aftermarket solution.
Currently, all of the products of Altronic LLC are being produced in their head office located in Girard, Ohio, where the production of the ignition coil and control panel have been moved within the last fifteen years. Being a division of Hoerbiger Engine Solutions, the company’s systems continue to be the OEM ignition selection for most leading gas engine manufacturers.
What Exactly Does Altronic Make?
Altronic’s list of products includes three main categories, and having knowledge about their differences will help you find out which one your engine needs.
Ignition Systems.
This category made the fame of the company, because it includes a wide variety of products, from self-powered and capacitor-discharge systems for small and middle engines to digital ignition systems designed for large-bore gas compressors. For example, the Altronic III and III-NG series are self-powered and low-tension capacitor discharge ignition system, suitable for 3- to 16-cylinder engines, distinguished by simplicity of design allowing service in the field without any special tools. On the other hand, there are such models as NGI-5000 with cylinder-by-cylinder ignition system, in-cylinder combustion analysis and misfire detection system and configurable HD display.
Engine and Air/Fuel Ratio Controls.
Also, Altronic makes control panels and air/fuel ratio control systems, responsible for combustion efficiency and compliance with all regulations concerning emissions at varying loads and fuels. They are especially important for engines using field gas of different composition, so their combustion efficiency should be controlled automatically, not with fixed parameters.
Instrumentation: The digital instruments provided by Altronic, whose range was born with the first digital annunciator of the company in the late 1970s, now include tachometers, hourmeters, pyrometers, and microprocessor control and monitoring systems for such variables as pressure, temperature, speed, and ignition timing. This level of instrumentation becomes the key to data-based maintenance for operators who run multiple engines.
Altronic also manufactures ignition accessories that include FLASHGUARD spark plugs and ignition cables designed especially for continuous-duty industrial applications, where a common automotive part would not do.
What Makes Altronic the Automatic Choice of Engine OEMs
There are several reasons why engine builders and operators automatically opt for Altronic rather than view it as just one of possible suppliers.
Proven reliability at scale: The capacitor discharge ignition systems from Altronic have been used in hundreds of thousands of installations of natural gas engines all around the world, giving operators a long experience record to rely on instead of something new and unproven. That experience makes a great deal of difference in the industry where an ignition failure can bring an entire compressor station down.
Serviceability in the field: The products of Altronic are typically made field serviceable, i.e. the electronics will be located in a removable back cover, allowing the technician to perform servicing without disassembly of the entire ignition system. At remote or offshore locations where visits from a factory technician are not feasible, this approach leads to reduction in downtime right away.
Extended life of the component parts: The capacitor discharge ignition may significantly increase the spark plugs’ life compared to the older generation of inductive ignition systems, thus reducing the number of maintenance interventions and minimizing the total cost of ownership during the engine service lifetime.
Certification for Hazardous Locations: Quite often the components of Altronic igniters are certified for Class I, Division 2 Hazardous Location, which is quite important directly for gas compression and oilfield application where explosive atmospheres ratings are not just desirable but required by compliance regulations.
Product longevity and support: Since the Altronic systems have decades-long service life and are installed on critical equipment, the company maintains long-term support and feature updates even for the advanced systems that were sold some time ago and do not require replacement of the entire unit to get new features.
Ignition System Comparison at a Glance
Altronic offers ignition systems designed for different engine sizes and operating requirements. Compare the key features below to find the right solution for your application.
| Ignition System | Best For | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Self-Powered CD Ignition | Small to mid-size gas engines | Simple, reliable design with field-serviceable components |
| Digital CD Ignition | Engines requiring adjustable timing and diagnostics | Software-configurable timing curves, adjustable output energy, and diagnostic capabilities |
| Advanced Ignition Platforms | Large-bore gas compressor engines | Per-cylinder control, combustion diagnostics, and detonation/misfire detection |
Matching the right ignition category to your engine size and application isn’t just about horsepower — it also depends on how much diagnostic visibility and remote monitoring capability your operation actually needs.
Sourcing Altronic Components for Your Engine
Since Altronic ignition systems have been designated as OEM ignition systems for so many industrial engine manufacturers including those engines running on Waukesha, Caterpillar, and many others of the world’s leading industrial gas engines the sourcing of the appropriate Altronic ignition module, coil, or other ignition components requires a precise match to your ignition architecture for your engine.
This is the advantage of dealing with an industrial gas engine parts provider rather than a general electrical parts distributor. Jawaid Enterprises provides ignition components and controls for industrial gas engines that match your particular engine’s ignition architecture, whether you require a single ignition coil for a field replacement or you are planning a shutdown to install a new ignition control panel.
Obtain Proper Altronic Components for Your Engine
Altronic’s reputation as the industry benchmark was established over many years by proving its reliability in precisely the type of mission-critical applications that you rely upon. No matter whether you are looking to replace a broken ignition coil, install a control panel, or even design a new installation that includes the correct Altronic components for your engine, we at Jawaid Enterprises can assist in sourcing authentic Altronic ignition, control, and instrumentation components that fit your engine perfectly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is different about Altronic compared to other ignition systems manufacturers?
Altronic ignition systems have a long history of successful operation in field conditions and are proven over more than 100,000 installations. The serviceable design of Altronic ignitions makes them suitable for use on engines requiring reliable and uninterrupted work.
Are Altronic ignition systems interchangeable across different engine manufacturers?
Yes. In fact, Altronic ignition systems are listed as OEM equipment by several stationary gas engine manufacturers and also used for retrofits on existing engines. It’s the right choice regardless of the engine brand, as long as the ignition system matches your engine specifications.
How durable are Altronic ignition systems?
It all depends on the particular application; however, capacitor discharge ignition systems tend to increase the lifetime of the spark plugs as opposed to inductive systems, meaning less need to replace the ignition system.
Are Altronic systems suitable for hazardous environments?
Many of the Altronic ignition systems are certified for use in Class I, Division 2 hazardous locations, which is typical for gas compression and oilfields operating in such environments.
Is it possible to incorporate Altronic instrumentation with existing engine monitoring systems?
The Altronic instrumentation and control devices are usually meant for integration within an engine monitoring system, where you could gather ignition timing, pressure, temperature, and speed data from one place instead of using several independent gauges.