An ignitron is a special kind of switch that is really good at handling large amounts of electricity. It's like a superhero switch that can handle lots of power without getting too hot or breaking.
It works kind of like flipping a light switch, except it's much bigger and stronger. When you flip the switch, it creates a big spark that helps ignite the electricity and turn it on. Once the electricity is flowing, the switch keeps it going until you turn it off again.
Think of it like a big gate that needs a lot of force to open. Once it's open, it lets a lot of people through all at once, and then slams shut again. The ignitron does the same thing with electricity, letting through a lot of power all at once and then closing off again to keep things safe.
Ignitrons are used in lots of different places where there's a lot of electricity flowing, like in power plants, factories, and even some transportation systems. They're really important because they help make sure that all that power stays under control and doesn't cause any damage.