The rotor arm is the rotating electrical high-tension contact of the distributor in a spark ignition engine. The distributor shaft driven by the engine operates the points and turns the rotor arm. The rotor arm is a part inside the distributor cap in the ignition system. The rotor arm makes contact with the electrical terminals of the ignition coil which in turn sparks the plugs. The metal part of the rotor contacts the high voltage cable from the ignition coil via a spring-loaded carbon brush on the underside of the distributor cap. The metal part of the rotor arm passes close to (but does not touch) the output contacts which connect via high tension leads to the spark plug of each cylinder.