From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Magneto distributor failure due to a spark jumping to earth, with a recommendation to increase the distance to prevent tracking.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 43\4\ Scan039 | |
| Date | 13th December 1926 | |
| EFC. WB.{Mr Brazier/Mr Bell}120. X.4021. WATFORD IS.12 MAGNETO NO.83137. The H.T. distributor on this magneto has broken down owing to the spark from one of the terminals nearest to the earthed securing clamp jumping across the surface to earth, causing a conductive carbon path. It appears from observation that this distance, i.e. the nearest to earth, on these radial type distributors, is too small, being only a little if any in excess of the length of the safety gap which is already on the small side. This distance should be considerably more, owing to the danger of tracking with a synthetic moulding, and we think this increase could be effected easily without seriously altering the design. EFC/H.E.West. | ||