This paper presents the experimental investigation of the overpressure created by a low energy plasma igniter. After a short presentation of the plasma igniter design, we rapidly sum the results obtained by employing time resolved spectroscopy. The measurements consist in the determination of the flight time of the overpressure generated by the plasma igniter. Experimental data processing is performed by considering the Sedov-Taylor model. (C) 2003 Published by Elsevier Ltd.