What is the role of a fuel oil furnace transformer in burner ignition systems?

In oil fired burners, the ignition transformer steps up line voltage to a high voltage output that creates a spark across ignition electrodes. This spark ignites the atomized fuel and initiates stable combustion. The transformer must deliver sufficient voltage and current under load, tolerate heat and vibration, and provide reliable duty cycle performance. Many systems use electronic igniters today, but traditional ignition transformers remain common due to robustness. Proper grounding, wiring, and electrode gap are essential for consistent ignition and reduced nuisance lockouts.