An apparatus for high energy ignition and flame detection comprising: a source of electrical energy; a first electrode having a first end and a second end; a second electrode having a first end and second end, wherein said first electrode and said second electrode are positioned and electrically insulated from each other such that a spark tip is formed by said second ends (36, 33) so that, when said first ends (35, 32) are connected to the source of electrical energy, a spark can pass between said second end of said first electrode and said second end of said second electrode and, when fuel is adjacent said spark tip, said spark ignites said fuel with said high-energy ignition producing a flame; and a third electrode, wherein said second end of said second electrode is configured and positioned relative to said third electrode such that, when said first ends (35, 32) are connected to the source of electrical energy and when said flame is present between said second electrode and said third electrode, electricity is conducted between said second end of said second electrode and said third electrode but when no flame is present, electricity is not conducted between said second electrode and said third electrode; and wherein said spark can pass between said second end of said first electrode and second end of said second electrode, and simultaneously, said electricity can be conducted; wherein said third electrode is a housing defining a fuel flow passage and wherein said spark tip is located within said fuel flow passage; wherein said source of electrical energy has a first terminal at a first potential and a second terminal at a second potential, wherein said second potential is less than said first potential and above ground potential; wherein a source of fuel is fluidly connected to said housing; wherein said first end of said first electrode is electrically connected to said first terminal and said first end of said second electrode is electrically connected to said second terminal; and wherein said housing is grounded. a source of electrical energy; a first electrode having a first end and a second end; a second electrode having a first end and second end, wherein said first electrode and said second electrode are positioned and electrically insulated from each other such that a spark tip is formed by said second ends (36, 33) so that, when said first ends (35, 32) are connected to the source of electrical energy, a spark can pass between said second end of said first electrode and said second end of said second electrode and, when fuel is adjacent said spark tip, said spark ignites said fuel with said high-energy ignition producing a flame; and a third electrode, wherein said second end of said second electrode is configured and positioned relative to said third electrode such that, when said first ends (35, 32) are connected to the source of electrical energy and when said flame is present between said second electrode and said third electrode, electricity is conducted between said second end of said second electrode and said third electrode but when no flame is present, electricity is not conducted between said second electrode and said third electrode; and wherein said spark can pass between said second end of said first electrode and second end of said second electrode, and simultaneously, said electricity can be conducted; wherein said third electrode is a housing defining a fuel flow passage and wherein said spark tip is located within said fuel flow passage; wherein said source of electrical energy has a first terminal at a first potential and a second terminal at a second potential, wherein said second potential is less than said first potential and above ground potential; wherein a source of fuel is fluidly connected to said housing; wherein said first end of said first electrode is electrically connected to said first terminal and said first end of said second electrode is electrically connected to said second terminal; and wherein said housing is grounded.