8511.30.00 - Distributors; ignition coils

This HTS category, 8511.30.00, specifically covers electrical distributors and ignition coils used with internal combustion engines. Distributors are responsible for directing the high-voltage electrical current from the ignition coil to the correct spark plug at the precise moment for ignition in a spark-ignition engine. Ignition coils, also known as spark coils, are transformers that convert low voltage from the vehicle's electrical system into the high voltage required to ignite the fuel-air mixture.

Distributors and ignition coils are distinct from other items within heading 8511. For instance, they are separate from spark plugs (8511.10.00.00), which are the devices that actually create the spark. Similarly, they are differentiated from ignition magnetos and magneto-dynamos (8511.20.00.00), which are self-contained ignition systems, and starter motors (8511.40.00.00) which initiate the engine's rotation.

The subcategories within 8511.30.00 further refine these distinctions. 8511.30.00.40 specifically identifies distributors, encompassing both mechanical and electronic types. The subcategory 8511.30.00.80 covers ignition coils, recognizing their fundamental role in the ignition system's voltage generation. This subdivision allows for precise classification based on the specific component within the engine's ignition system.