Patent ID: 7132620

Claim:
An ignition device for an inductive thermal plasma torch, comprising: an inductive igniter ( 4 ) and an igniter support ( 1 , 3 ), the igniter ( 4 ) initiating a plasma discharge in the torch, and the support having an electrically conductive end ( 1 ) which is to be connected to an electrical ground ( 2 ) and an electrically insulating end ( 3 ) which carries the igniter, wherein the ignition device also comprises an electrically conductive connection ( 5 ) connecting the igniter ( 4 ) to the electrically conductive end ( 1 ) of the support so that the igniter is able to initiate the discharge in the plasma, said electrically conductive connection ( 5 ) having a section that is sufficiently narrow to limit the intensity of the current capable of passing through the igniter ( 4 ) in order to avoid electrical arcing by capacitive discharge between the ignition device and another part of the inductive thermal plasma torch.