ELECTRICAL FIREWORK IGNITION
Connecting Electrical Igniters To Other Fuses
Safety Method A | Safety Method B | Quick Match | Black Match
Electric To Safety Fuse - Method A
Electric matches can directly light Safety Fuse fuse when connected end-to-end, but the connection technique is critical as just taping the fuses together is very unreliable. Making a good connection takes a bit more care but works well enough to guarantee almost 100% ignition success.
Materials Required:
Assembly:
 Figure A: Cut visco fuse at an angle  Figure B: Slide quickmatch over fuse  Figure C: Insert electric match  Figure D: Tape electric match in place |
Cut visco fuse at an angle. This will expose more of the fuse's black powder core. If your device comes with a long visco fuse attached, you may want to cut it down to about an inch to reduce ignition delay. Create a quickmatch sleeve. Using a razor blade, cut a length of quickmatch about 1 inch longer than the fuse supplied with the consumer firework device. Note: It's best to cut quickmatch with a razor blade or anvil cutters. Quickmatch can ignite from the friction of scissors cutting through it. Slide quickmatch over device's fuse. Carefully slide the device's fuse into the center of the quickmatch sleeve. Slide the quickmatch sleeve all the way down so it covers the firework’s entire fuse. Insert electric match into quickmatch. Outside and away from people, hold the device so it is pointing away from you and any flammable material. Insert an electric match into the open end of the quickmatch to a depth of an inch (as in Figure C). You may need to slide back the electric match's protective plastic cap. Note: Removing the electric match's protective cap may make inserting the ematch easier, but can cause ignition by friction. Insert the ematch's head slowly and gently. Tape quickmatch, and electric match to device. Secure the electric match to the side of the firework with clear packing tape covering both ends of the quickmatch, as in Figure D. Add a couple of extra wraps of tape to secure the electric match in place. The tape serves two purposes: 1) Confines burning gasses, increasing burn rate. 2) Secures ematch effectively and safely. |
How does it work?
When the electric match fires, the ematch sparks for only an instant. If the ematch sparks and fire do not directly hit the visco's black powder core, the electric match may fail to ignite the firework device. The blackmatch inside the quickmatch sleeve prevents this problem by carrying the fire forward, and increasing the amount of fire given to the visco fuse. This ensures that the slightest spark from your electric match will pass fire to the visco. The quickmatch’s outer paper wrap directs the fire downward through the tube like a flamethrower, lighting everything in its path, including the visco. Top ˆ
Electric To Safety Fuse - Method B
This method is used for electrical igniters bought from suppliers. Cut an angled slit in the fuse to expose the core. Overlap the lead wires of the igniter over the fuse, then bend it back around so that the match composition touches the powder core of the fuse. Tape tightly so hot gases from e-match are trapped inside and ignite the safety fuse. Top ˆ
Connecting Electrical Igniter to Black Match
Same as above, but try to wrap the end of the black match around the e-match head to insure ignition, then double tape as shown. A much more reliable method is to connect the e-match to a short length of quick match, then connect the quick match to the bare black match. Top ˆ
Connecting Electrical Igniter to Quick Match
Cut about an inch of the paper pipe off of the quick match, and bend the exposed fuse back on itself and push it inside. Stick the e-match in at least and inch, and tape the end tightly. It's nearly impossible for this type of connection to fail. Top ˆ