1. Power Source: The cigarette lighter is connected to the car's electrical system, usually through the fuse box or directly from the battery. It receives a 12-volt DC (direct current) power supply from the car's battery.
2. Heating Element: Inside the cigarette lighter assembly, there is a heating element made of a high-resistance material, usually a coil of nichrome wire. Nichrome is known for its ability to withstand high temperatures without melting or oxidizing easily.
3. Button Activation: When you press the cigarette lighter button, it completes the electrical circuit. Electricity from the car's battery flows through the heating element.
4. Heating Process: The high resistance of the heating element causes it to generate heat when an electric current passes through it. The nichrome coil becomes red-hot due to its high resistance.
5. Igniting the Cigarette: Once the heating element is sufficiently hot, it reaches a high temperature capable of igniting the tobacco in a cigarette. When a cigarette is inserted into the lighter's socket, the tip of the cigarette comes into contact with the hot heating element, causing it to ignite.
6. Cigarette Ejection: After the cigarette is lit, the lighter button is released, which opens the socket and allows the cigarette to be removed.
It's important to note that newer vehicles may have USB ports instead of traditional cigarette lighters, as they offer a safer and more versatile way to power electronic devices like phone chargers and portable accessories.
