A method of determining a charging capacitance of a capacitor in an air
bag system having an electronic control unit for controlling a gas
generator, a bus line having a loop wire extending from the electronic
control unit, gas generators connected to the loop wire, each gas
generator having an igniter connected to the loop wire via a connector,
one of the igniter and the connector being provided with an integrated
circuit having the capacitor for providing power to a heat generating
portion, a switching circuit for turning ON/OFF a supplying of current to
the heat generating portion, and a microcomputer unit for controlling the
switching circuit, the method including, determining a minimum charging
capacitance of the capacitor necessary to operate the igniter based on a
charging voltage and a minimum ignition energy required for making the
heat generating portion of the igniter generate heat to ignite the
priming.