Stop in for a cup of coffee
Snipped from the 1982 Jeep FSM. Descriptions are pretty clear.
In the engine
Voltage spike (A) is what is need to initiate a spark across the gap.
Less voltage is needed to keep it burning (A to B).
Duraspark II (Solid State Ign)
HEI
These are measuring the secondary side. Primary would show current flow while the cpoil was building upo charge.
At least I think I got that right.