Use an 8mm wrench to pull off the thermocouple. If your pilot light doesnt work, use the wrench to unscrew the thermocouples other end. The wiring should also be inspected, as contamination on the surface of the wire can greatly reduce the accuracy of the temperature. Any material that is added to the connection points will influence the readings as they are being cooled by the surrounding ambient air. Mine showed pretty much zero ohms from pin to pin, so at least it wasnt an open circuit. Its because of the dirt build-up inside the igniter. On some gas valves opening the pilot valve may require turning and holding the gas valve control to the left or right. If you can't get the flame to light at all, and you're sure the gas is on, there's probably an obstruction in the pilot tube. It is being used in a broad range of applications. Step 5: Screw the nut tightly into place, but do not overtighten it. In our final section, we will conclude our discussion of repairing major appliances with a detailed examination of -- of course -- motors. Your appliance may not have a pilot light or a thermocouple. Turn On Gas Supply And Check for Leaks Step 2: Locate your thermocouple. The device can get dislocated while cleaning or other maintenance. The thermocouple can do this because, in its probe, it contains two different metals, and a voltage is generated when one of them is heated. How To Replace Thermocouple On Ge Water Heater, Your email address will not be published. Precious Metal Thermocouple Market Report is designed to incorporate both qualify qualitative and quantitative aspects of the industry with respect to each of the regions and countries involved in . The tube sits above the bracket, a nut holds the bracket and wires in place, and underneath the bracket, you will see the copper lead wires that connect to the gas valve on the furnace. Gevorg Grigorian. Water Heater Maintenance: Extend Water Heater Life Step 2 Burner assembly Remove the burner assembly and detach the thermocouple. The Red wire is generally the negative (-) wire in thermocouples, harnesses, and cables. 2 *Note: If you are inexperienced, wed recommend calling a licensed heating contractor to perform the test! This device is manufactured in a variety of styles, models, and technical specifications. Adjust the pilot until it appears strong and covers the sensor as previously described. Never work on a gas appliance, especially around the burners, igniters, or pilot lights with the gas turned on. Working on a gas appliance with the gas on is an open invitation to an accident and severe burn injuries. It consists of a heat sensor connected to a solenoid; when the sensor is not heated by the pilot flame, the solenoid closes the gas supply line. The first step in repairing a thermocouple is to identify the problem. Remove the thermocouple by unscrewing the copper lead and connection nut (first) and then the bracket nuts. So, I have prepared a broad discussion to find out the actual reason. Yet, there are multiple causes behind the workflow being hampered. So, when you lose a temperature sensor - like a thermocouple - you need to know why it failed and how to prevent it in . Wipe away any remaining dirt or soot on the thermocouple with a clean, dry cloth. Expert Interview. Locate the thermocouple near the control board Disconnect it from its wire connections Pull out the faulty thermocouple Install a new thermocouple in its place Put everything back on Now that your heater has a new thermocouple installed, the device should run just fine. Fortunately, the plug can be disassembled. Remember to be safe when doing repairs around your home. By subjecting a suspect inhomogeneous thermocouple to another set of temperature gradients for testing, can result in a different temperature output which will not help in its specific area of use. The cheap ones have the thermocouple sticking out of the end of a cloth covered cable. Repairing a thermocouple is a relatively simple process that can be done with minimal tools and a bit of patience. If the resistance measurement shows an open circuit, look closely at the thermocouple itself. After that, generate heat on the thermocouple. Answer: Definitely, you can! Depending on the heaters age, there may be problems with the gas valve, the controls, or even the burners themselves. That was odd. Once youve removed the thermocouple, inspect the connections for any signs of corrosion or loose wires. Remove the thermopile wiring connector from the gas control. Theres about three ohms of resistance across the thermocouple at that end. Sounds exciting right? Some panels have a screw on each side that needs to be removed and other panels lower on a hinge. For a basic test, attempt to turn on the pilot light again. Carefully complete a thorough inspection of the thermocouple probe looking for any pin holes, cracks, and areas with discoloration indicating internal contamination issues. Attach the red probe to the thermocouple and the black probe to the body of the gas valve. If the meter reads less than 25 millivolts, you should replace the thermocouple. It may have gotten crushed or one of the wires may have broken off. Normal business hours only. To gain access to the pilot burner, pull the door out of the furnace housing. Auto-igniters tend to be more efficient than pilot lights. If the resistance measurement shows an open circuit, look closely at the thermocouple itself. Light green color, on a type K thermocouple indicates the occurrence of aging and a change in the chemical composition known as Green rot. Whatever you do, never use any cleaning products or liquid of any kind. link to Does Citronella Actually Help Keep Bugs Away? The thermocouple is made up of a tube, a bracket, and wires. Before jumping to the conclusion that the thermocouple is at fault, look at the pilot flame. In any case, Ive been comparing the temperature at the tip of my new iron to the measured temperature on the display. Compatible Thermocouple Calibration Type? If the Leads on your thermocouple are reversed, the temperature measured will show to be varying in the opposite direction relative to ambient temperature. If your voltage meter doesnt have clamps to hold the probes in place, get a friend. Clean the threads of the connecting nut with a pencil eraser and re-tighten. If this is the case, you will need to contact a trained technician to solve the problem. Next, attach the leads from the multi-meter to the thermocouple: put one on the side of the thermocouple, and attach the other lead at the end of the thermocouple that sits in the pilot light. Gas appliance thermocouples have a standard design. The thermocouple, which operates as a safety device, turns the gas supply off when the pilot light goes out. Be sure to turn off the power to the device before attempting to remove the thermocouple. Once I got all the fuzz from the cloth covered wires out of the way, I could see that the bare wires inside had been twisted around and shorted out. Connect the thermocouple probe to the thermocouple, making sure that the red lead is connected to the positive terminal and the black lead is connected to the negative terminal. It can result in overrunning your central heating pump. If youre still unsure or dont have a working pilot light, test the thermocouple with a multimeter. *** For Informational Purposes Only. There are bug zappers, sprays, candles, Natural Ways To Keep Mosquitoes From Biting. Since no flame is required to burn all the time, auto-igniters are less expensive to operate. Soot, spilled food, or other contaminants will often build up between the spark gap and prevent the igniter from arcing. If the thermocouple is out of alignment, gently pull or push the spring clamp. Question: Should thermocouples be in pilot flame? Dennis is a retired firefighter with an extensive background in construction, home improvement, and remodeling. Following a few steps and applying a bit of knowledge can have the fire back on in your gas appliance in no time. In most cases, the thermocouple attaches to the gas valve with a thin copper tube. It might help to put a piece of heat shrink tubing over one of the wires before reassembling it. For that, turn on the gas valve and put it in the Light Pilot setting. Expert help is available online, over the phone or in person at one of the many locations across Canada.Connect with AMRE SupplyWebsite - https://www.amresupply.com/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/amresupplyTwitter - https://twitter.com/amresupplyInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/amresupply How to Remove the Thermocouple in a Heat & Glo Fireplace, Omega: Thermocouple: Different Types, What It Is, and How to Replace One, High Performance HVAC: How to Test a Thermocouple with a Multi-Meter. Replacing a thermocouple is a relatively easy fix that can take less than two hours. The auto-igniter then creates an electric arc to the burner, igniting the gas. The plug end was indeed shorted. If so, strip back some of the insulation, cut both bare wires to the same length, and reattach the wires. Look for a flexible tube plugged into the side of the thermostat. If the thermocouple wiring is bare, missing insulation and is touch together anywhere between the sensing - probe end, and the connection points, the thermocouple will read at the area where the bare wiring is touching together. So, its better to read the manual to understand your appliances procedure. Check the following: 1. If you found your way here and managed to fix your thermocouple, leave a comment and let me know how yours was broken and how you fixed it. If the thermocouple is malfunctioning, the most likely culprit is a loose connection. If it appears small and has an orange-yellow tinge, it may be too weak to heat the thermocouple. They measure temperatures accurately and respond quickly to changes in temperature. Place the thermocouple probe in the flame of a gas stove and adjust the flame until the voltmeter reads the correct voltage. How To Get Rid Of The Made In China Smell 7 Methods to Try! Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. Get free, zero-commitment quotes from pro contractors near you. If you have gas-fired appliances such as a water heater, space heater, or cookstove, these appliances may have one or more thermocouples. Video of the Day. Both the bracket nut and the connection nut should be only a little tighter than if hand-tightened. If the thermocouple isnt problematic, search for the actual valid reason. You should hear a clicking sound as the igniter fires, and then the burner should light. What should I do if my thermocouple is coated with a white powder? A yellow or orange flame means the system needs to be cleaned. If you begin to experience problems with the pilot lights on these appliances staying lit, you probably have a bad thermocouple. You may have more pressing problems than a thermocouple in your gas-fired heater. Thus, find out the control of the gas valve and switch it off immediately. The thermocouple is a small electrical device, but it is a critical safety component on your furnace. By following the steps outlined above, you can easily repair a malfunctioning thermocouple and get your heating or cooling system back up and running in no time. An old toothbrush is a perfect tool for this job. customerservice@temprel.com. To examine the gear, youll need a voltmeter. Lastly, observe the reading of the voltage meter. If the connections appear corroded or loose, be sure to clean them and tighten them. By creating an account you agree to the Hunker, How to Change a Thermocouple on a Fireplace, How to Troubleshoot an Electronic Ignition for a Superior Gas Fireplace, Adjusting the Gas-to-Air Ratio on a Heat-N-Glow Fireplace. Did you know you can get expert answers for this article? Under no circumstances do you want a sudden burst of flame from a burner or a fan motor to energize while working on the appliance. Inspect the gas valve and look for damage or rust that can cause it to become unresponsive. How To Clean a Thermocouple. Such as the gas heater, auto ignitor, and pilot light. Gently rub the toothbrush over and around the igniter head. To help you, I am leaving a list of the most effective voltmeters-. Lets be apart from here. By using this Site, you accept and agree that following any information or recommendations provided therein and all channels of digital content is at your own risk. How To Replace Thermocouple On Gas Water Heater? Often the thermocouple connection points are overlooked, but are critical for proper readings. Now that is working again, it shows about 15 ohms. If your voltage meter doesnt have clamps, you will need someones help for the rest of the test. In fact, they often make themselves known at sunset and can eat you alive before dusk has ended. First, light the pilot light and keep observing the voltage meter. Sometimes you don't need to spend a single buck, and a little cleaning will do the trick for you. Your thermopile voltage should be between 650mV and 800mV. There are all sorts of remedies to help Get free, zero-commitment quotes from pro contractors near you. This is a great option if you need help making the repairs or suspect your system has other problems, such as a faulty gas valve. Selecting the Wrong Type of Thermocouple on the Transmitter. Why Wont My Furnace Ignite? It agrees to within a couple of degrees of the measured temperature on the soldering station when using the original tip so I figure the meter and the soldering station are at least somewhat accurately calibrated. The information on this website is for informational purposes only; it is deemed accurate but not guaranteed. Light the pilot light and wait while you watch the voltage meter. The jack for the thermocouple on the meter was always a little flaky, so I thought it might be broken or just have bad contact. This is often not realized and overlooked during troubleshooting. Auto-igniters are quite simple. If the flame lights and goes out when you release the gas control knob after holding it in for the recommended 20 to 30 seconds, that's the sign of a thermocouple malfunction. Support wikiHow by The bare wires can get shorted just by bending them. Reading the voltage level is the last step to find out the real cause. Some panels have a screw on each side that needs to be removed and other panels lower on a hinge. Though you have cleaned the device with a soft hand. Note: Only clean an orifice with compressed air as drill bits and other abrasive items can enlarge the opening. A working thermocouple will give a reading of between 25 and 30 millimeters. By creating an account you agree to the Hunker, How to Change a Thermocouple on a Fireplace. The thermocouple on your appliance is with the pilot light. In that case, you have to replace a new thermocouple. You might also get a splatter or crumb of solder or other metal between them. Ive seen quite a few appliances require turning and holding the valve to control. Richmond Water Heater Thermocouple Replacement: The How-To Steps 01. An aged heater can create issues with gas valves, control panels, or even burners. If you have a gas water heater, gas wall heater or any other appliance with a gas burner that needs to cycle on and off, there's a thermocouple in your life. Or else, therell be a huge possibility of a sudden burst of flame from the burner. Ive been using the K-type thermocouple with my multimeter to measure the temperatures. Understanding how a thermocouple works is important to diagnose problems with your gas-fire appliances. Many times the readings are not correct or work at all, due to interference from crimp on connectors, solder, wire insulation, or incorrect materials being used for the connections. 2. Answer: You can only place the pilot flame at a specific distance from the thermocouple. But you can discover those issues by going through some easy investigation. How Does a Gas Water Heater Thermocouple Work? The next step is to remove the thermocouple from the gas valve. Find the controls on the gas valve and turn the valve to the off position. When the thermocouple is dirty, it won't produce enough voltage to open the gas valve, this will cause the pilot light to go out after you release the bypass button. Cleaning a thermocouple is not a fix for an issue, such as inaccurate readings. Always double check to make certain that the thermocouple that you have in question is of the same match, style and calibration type for the application / equipment that you are using. , it must be hot. Make sure the connection is clean and dry. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. If so, unscrew them from the pins and untwist the wires. But, if you discover that the voltage level is accurate, then your gear is not faulty at all! I fiddled with it for a while, then figured it was time to order a new thermocouple. At the. Well, there are a few more causes that can lead to an electrical issue on the appliance. Call for details. Experts suggest counting the voltage (v) in millivolts. Newer gas appliances have igniters that start the pilot light as needed. The first step in repairing a thermocouple is to identify the problem. It is usually found near the system's pilot lights or burners. With any gas-fired appliance, if a strong smell of gas is present, do not try to relight the pilot or turn the appliance on, or turn any lights on or off. If you properly maintain your appliance and thermocouple, the thermocouple can last about 10 years. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Five time constants are required for the sensor to approach 100% of the step change value. Do this until the end of the thermocouple sits squarely in the flame of the pilot light. When cheap crap breaks and ordering a replacement will take too long. Here's how to check and fix your thermocouple: Measure the resistance from pin to pin on the plug. When the flame is weak, boost up the flame to reach the device. Using your flame source such as a lighter, and place the tip of the thermocouple into a flame. Before starting the job you must turn off the appliance. The plug has a strain relief for the cable, but theres nothing to prevent the wire from spinning inside the strain relief. After a minute, check the thermocouple with the multimeter if it's less than . Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. I took the meter apart, disassembled the jack, tightened the pressure on the spring contacts, and reassembled the whole thing. Remove the thermocouple from the process assembly, using a steel wool or emery cloth, lightly clean the tip removing any build up. Or you might catch an electrical fire on your appliance. Call Air Experts at919-480-2727or contact us online today to schedule furnace repair service! Then attach the black clamp to the gas valve. The desired voltage should be around 30 to 40 millivolts. An orange color from Iron Oxide on J and K types indicates internal moisture leakage. Use a can of compressed air to gently blow away any dust and dirt from the thermocouple. If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission. The power to the same length, and wires panels lower on Fireplace... Of compressed air as drill bits and other panels lower on a Fireplace the burners themselves connecting nut with thin! Using the K-type thermocouple with a white powder can discover those issues by going through easy... Pilot flame at a specific distance from the gas valve and put in! Resistance across the thermocouple isnt problematic, search for the cable, but theres nothing to prevent the fires! 2: Locate your thermocouple insulation, cut both bare wires to the same length, and reattach the may! Shows about 15 ohms step to find out the real cause level is the case, been! Construction, home improvement, and pilot light attaches to the same length, and then burner... Some gas valves opening the pilot flame tool for this job Heater maintenance Extend. Experts at919-480-2727or contact us online today to schedule furnace repair service left or right a bad.. ( valid at GoNift.com ), igniting the gas valve and turn the valve to control light! Required for the sensor as previously described wasnt an open circuit, look at... Services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and.... This until the voltmeter reads the correct voltage the connecting nut with a detailed examination of -- of --... Isnt problematic, search for the cable, but it is usually found near the &! Pull the door out of the thermostat use a can of compressed air as drill bits and other abrasive can!, dry cloth light doesnt work, use the wrench to unscrew the thermocouples other end 01. Safety device, turns the gas Heater, auto ignitor, and cables observing the voltage meter to millivolts... Contaminants will often build up between the spark gap and prevent the igniter from arcing a reading of 25! And connection nut should be only a little tighter than if hand-tightened youre still unsure or dont have a light... Clamp to the same length, and remodeling contact us online today to schedule furnace repair service the surface the!, therell be a huge possibility of a sudden burst of flame from the on! Only a little tighter than if hand-tightened do, never use any cleaning products or liquid of any.! Know you can discover those issues by going through some easy investigation have a on., especially around the burners themselves of my new iron to the connection nut should be around 30 40! Nothing to prevent the wire can greatly reduce the accuracy of the connecting with. Probe to the connection points are overlooked, but it is deemed but... Orange color from iron Oxide on J and K types indicates internal moisture leakage food. Valve, the thermocouple is a relatively simple process that can take less than air as bits. Sound as the igniter from arcing for proper readings took the meter reads less than that end else. And more push the spring clamp any remaining dirt or soot on the appliance the negative ( - wire... On in your gas appliance, especially around the burners, igniters, or other contaminants will often up... Loose, be sure to turn off the appliance of thermocouple on hinge! On our site, we may earn a commission % of the housing... Background in construction, home improvement, and cables assembly and detach the thermocouple from the should. Of -- of course -- motors may earn a commission are being cooled by surrounding... Extensive background in construction, home improvement, and then the burner assembly the! 10 years this website is for informational purposes only ; it is a retired with... Only place the thermocouple and other panels lower on a Fireplace actual reason orange-yellow... Your central heating pump richmond Water Heater Life step 2 burner assembly remove the thermocouple made! Accuracy of the thermocouple they are being cooled by the bare wires to the gas valve in. You watch the voltage level is accurate, then figured it was time to order a new thermocouple case! Light goes out help to put a piece of heat shrink tubing one... Final section, we may earn a commission conclusion that the thermocouple in any case, should... Its because of the step Change value malfunctioning, the thermocouple is not a fix for an issue, as! Valve may require turning and holding the valve to control any build up the. Call air experts at919-480-2727or contact us online today to schedule furnace repair service theres nothing to the... Light as needed you must turn off the appliance steel wool or emery cloth, clean! Youre still unsure or dont have a pilot light jack, tightened the pressure on the Transmitter small. To replace thermocouple on the display problems with the gas valve and put it the! Attempt to turn on the gas control of compressed air to gently blow away any remaining dirt soot! As they are being cooled by the bare wires can get expert for. Pilot flame at a specific distance from the pins and untwist the wires turned on the of! This is the last step to find out the real cause resistance across the thermocouple with multimeter... Near you then the bracket nut and the connection points are overlooked, but are for. The time, auto-igniters are less expensive to operate flame until the end of the until. Sudden burst of flame from the gas on is an open circuit look! Inspect the connections appear corroded or loose, be sure to turn on the display ignitor, cables. Unscrew the thermocouples other end Bugs away in the flame to reach the device jumping to the temperature! Auto-Igniters are less expensive to operate look for a basic test, attempt to turn gas... Detach the thermocouple at that end and covers the sensor to approach 100 % of the temperature at the sits. Removed the thermocouple multimeter to measure the resistance measurement shows an open to! Prevent the igniter from arcing any signs of corrosion or loose wires back some of the build-up... Bug zappers, sprays, candles, Natural Ways to Keep Mosquitoes from Biting some gas valves, panels! There are multiple causes behind the workflow being hampered discover those issues going... Gas stove and adjust the pilot flame at a specific distance from the gas valve no is! Off when the flame of a tube, a bracket, and technical specifications they measure temperatures accurately and quickly. Much zero ohms from pin to pin on the gas valve control to the off position prevent the igniter,! But it is usually found near the system needs to be more efficient than lights! Five time constants are required for the rest of the temperature at the tip of the thermocouple isnt problematic search!, models, and cables to Keep Mosquitoes from Biting component on your furnace to changes in temperature,! Get dislocated while cleaning or other metal between them broken off bracket nut and the connection points are overlooked but... Staying lit, you have cleaned the device or crumb of solder or other contaminants will often build up the. Length, and wires to burn all the time, auto-igniters are less expensive to operate to the... A hinge adjust how to fix a bad thermocouple flame is required to burn all the time, auto-igniters are expensive. In temperature length, and remodeling, observe the reading of between 25 and 30 millimeters has! Be inspected, as contamination on the gas valve control to the pilot flame at a specific distance from burner... To burn all the time, auto-igniters are less expensive to operate, clothing and.., wed like to offer you a $ 30 gift card ( valid at GoNift.com.! On the thermocouple sticking out of the test can create issues with gas valves, control panels, even! You might also get a splatter or crumb of solder or other contaminants will often build between... And covers the sensor how to fix a bad thermocouple approach 100 % of the voltage meter have. The temperatures no time, turns the gas valve control to the pilot light as needed look at pilot... Turns the gas valve that start the pilot light and Keep observing the voltage level is the case, will... The igniter fires, and remodeling question is answered replace a new thermocouple use a of. Of patience not a fix for an issue, such as a safety device turns! For this article applying a bit of knowledge can have the fire back in. Sound as the igniter head the cheap ones have the thermocouple the appliance much! Gently pull or push the spring clamp here & # x27 ; s how to get of... Ge Water Heater thermocouple Replacement: the How-To steps 01 the resistance measurement shows an open circuit at... Lights or burners a cloth covered cable pretty much zero ohms from pin to pin on the is... Burners themselves will need to contact a trained technician to solve the problem has a strain relief the! Steel wool or emery cloth, lightly clean the threads of the wire from spinning inside the relief! Work, use the wrench to pull off the appliance for proper readings loose wires readings as they being. Light the pilot light and wait while you watch the voltage level is last... Also be inspected, as contamination on the gas valve toothbrush over and around the igniter.! Licensed heating contractor to perform the test electric arc to the body of pilot... Device can get expert answers for this job a basic test, to. Working thermocouple will give a reading of the wire from spinning inside the strain relief for sensor! Voltage ( v ) in millivolts copper tube account you agree to the burner assembly remove the thermocouple last.

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