Technology that delivers
Glow plugs are essential to ensure a perfect engine start, especially in cold conditions. The trouble with colder weather is that more energy is required to help initiate ignition because both the intake air and the engine itself are colder and compression and pumping losses are higher too. That’s why fully functioning glow plugs are a key factor for every cold start and why their failure becomes more apparent when freezing weather sets in.
The perfect match for diesel engines – old and new.
Diesel engine glow plugs are basically differentiated between metal rod glow plugs and ceramic glow plugs. The two technologies have special characteristics in regard to thermal behavior. As many car manufacturers are not prepared to compromise on the quality and performance of their diesel glow plugs, they choose the proven NGK technology.
Safe start-up from low ambient temperatures
Low emissions during warm-up phase
Stable idling running before engine reaches operating temperature
High-quality coating on shell for high resistance to corrosion
Unique shell design for excellent heat transfer, perfect gas-tight sealing, high shear torque, and high resistance to deformation
Types of Glow Plugs
Metal rod glow plugs
Metal rod glow plugs are equipped with a heating coil in a glow rod made of heat-resistant metal. A specific material – magnesium oxide – in the interior of this glow rod protects the heating coil from vibrations and shocks. As magnesium oxide is also an outstanding thermal conductor, the heat that is produced can quickly be dissipated outward. Metal rod glow plugs can be allocated into three main groups: standard rod glow plugs, self-regulating rod glow plugs, and AQGS rod glow plugs.
Ceramic high-temperature glow plugs
The ceramic high-temperature glow plug (“NHTC glow plug”, “New High Temperature Ceramic”) has a fully ceramic heating element. The NHTC ceramic glow plug was specially developed by NGK to enable automotive manufacturers to comply with ever-stricter emissions standards. One of the goals of these standards is to reduce the compression ratio in diesel engines. NHTC glow plugs reach a temperature of 1,000°C in less than two seconds and can after-glow for more than ten minutes at temperatures of up to 1,350°C.