Definition 1 of 2
Definition
An electrical device that supplies a stream of pulsed direct current to one of the magnetos during engine starting, producing a continuous shower of sparks at the spark plugs to ignite the fuel-air mixture at low cranking speeds.
Plain English
A small electrical buzzer that helps the engine start by feeding rapid electrical pulses to the ignition system, so the spark plugs spark strongly even when the engine is turning slowly.
Context Anchor
Seen in aircraft magneto ignition systems, especially during maintenance or troubleshooting of hard-starting reciprocating engines.
Derivation
Induction refers to the electromagnetic induction that generates the pulsing current inside the unit. Vibrator describes the rapidly opening and closing contacts that chop the direct current into pulses. Together: a device that uses vibrating contacts and induction to create a fast-pulsing current.
Why Pilots Care
Without it, the magneto may fail to produce adequate spark at cranking RPM, resulting in hard or no starts on many piston aircraft.
Analogy
It works a little like a fast electrical buzzer: by turning the current on and off rapidly, it helps create repeated sparks instead of one weak attempt.
Intuition Check
Do not read “induction” here as the engine’s air intake system, and do not think the part vibrates the engine. In this term, it means an electrical device that rapidly pulses current to help make starting sparks.
Example Sentence 1
When the starter is engaged, the induction vibrator feeds pulsed current to the left magneto to produce a shower of sparks at the spark plugs.
Example Sentence 2
A mechanic tested the induction vibrator after the pilot reported repeated failure to start on the first attempt.