In fact, the problems that affect gas furnaces typically involve the furnace's thermocouple, the pilot light, or some component of the electrical system. Turn off the main gas shut off valve that supplies the water heater. Locate the thermocouple nut and unscrew it with a screwdriver. Safety tip– don’t use cleaning products on thermocouples as some may contain flammable materials. 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. clean the tip removing any soot or build up that might have accorded due to an improper pilot flame. Reconnect your thermocouple. The thermocouple, which operates as a safety device, turns the gas supply off when the pilot light goes out. Using an eraser from a pencil; clean the threads of the nut that connects the Thermocouple to the control valve and then re-tighten. Rinse the thermocouple with a water hose. This is so that gas is not allowed to leave the gas pipe if it's not going to be burned by the flame nozzles. If you have a gas water heater, a dirty thermocouple could be to blame. The ends of this piece may be corroded, preventing power from reaching the pilot light. Lighting the pilot light on a gas heater is simple to do. The gas water heater thermocouple is the safety element that is designed to "inform" a gas control valve is the pilot flame ON or OFF, and open or close the gas to the main burner. This should clear the gas tube, at least temporarily. How to Clean the Pilot on a Wall Furnace. First, shut off the gas valve on the water heater and the gas valve on the gas line near the heater. For gas-powered water heaters, the thermocouple serves as a safety device to detect if the pilot light is burning. Troubleshooting The Thermocouple For their ease of installation and promise of even, consistent heat, vented gas furnaces are popular heating options for both residential and commercial spaces. It is comprised of two different types of metal, which react differently to heat and expand at different rates, signaling to the water heater when to turn on or off. A thermocouple that tests below 25 millivolts won’t be able to keep the pilot flame lit. This will let your heater gas travel easier and as a result, your flame will stay lit. You need to fix this problem, but you should ensure the gas is off. Cleaning the thermocouple. https://livingtheoutdoorlife.com/how-clean-thermocouple-patio-heater Sand the ends of the thermocouple with emery cloth sandpaper. Also found in certain gas space heaters and construction-site portable heaters. This is always the first step when working on a water heater. Gas valves are not serviceable; the following are simple troubleshooting and description of how gas valves operate. The gas valve will not open if the pilot flame is out and the thermocouple is cool. The thermocouple is a device made up of two dissimilar metals. In this case, it's gas, and you need to turn off the gas valve. It is a simple device that converts the heat from a burning flame into a small electrical current, allowing it to work like a switch to control the flow of gas from the gas supply valve. Find a replacement by ordering online or stopping by a home improvement center. Replace the thermocouple if it is broken. I am often asked about troubleshooting a thermocouple on gas systems. Let the thermocouple air dry. Patio heaters that won’t stay lit may be due to: If your propane tank is empty or your natural gas … You can use Emery cloth sandpaper to gently clean any debris or build-up from the end of the thermocouple. You must remove the tube from the regulator and the gas inlet at the top of the heater. This type of gas valve used a single thermocouple. But how do we clean it? Turn the thermostat to its lowest setting and put the gas control knob to the off position. Use it to unscrew the connector that holds the thermocouple to the gas valve, then unhook the probe from its clip and pull out the entire thermocouple assembly. Clear the gas pipe. Learn How To Clean And Replace Your Gas Water Heater's Thermocouple If your gas water heater isn't heating up water, the thermocouple may need to be cleaned or replaced. If your heater can’t sense the temperature of the water it’s trying to heat accurately, it won’t know how much to heat it by. Removing the thermocouple is easy and it requires only a screwdriver. You can clear the gas pipe by blowing air through it. When a thermocouple fails, the pilot light won't stay lighted. A. Thermocouple-Only: Found in: Most gas log sets with standard safety pilot knob control. Never bypass the tilt switch on your patio heater. They are joined together at the tip (Hot Junction). A gas pipe is rarely blocked, but it is still a possibility. If it's electric, cut the power. This pipe is pressure fitted and held in place by pipe clips. Turn the gas knob to the OFF setting and wait 5 minutes to clear out any gas. When the pilot goes out, this component send a signal to the gas valve to make sure that it remains closed while the pilot light is not yet lit. Figure 1: Figure 2: Thermocouple . If your pilot light stays lit for a few moments, but continues to go out after relighting, it may very well need the thermocouple replaced. The thermocouple is part of the pilot assembly where one end is always in contact with the pilot flame while the other side is connected to the gas control valve. Shut the gas inlet valve - safety first! This is such a common mistake! For instance, most of the obstructions are caused by dirt, and you can clean using sandpaper. Figure1 A gas heater with a standing pilot, which means a pilot that is always on, also has a thermocouple. It is usually located beside the unit. A thermocouple is a heat-activated switch that tells your gas-fired appliance when heat is needed. Natural gas and propane burn cleaner than fuel oil, and most gas furnaces present fewer operational difficulties than oil burners do. The gas pilot flame heats the thermocouple, which in turn allows the gas valve to open. Replacing the thermocouple is quick, and something you can easily do yourself. Pull out your patio heater thermocouple. You know you have a problem. The only tool you need to replace a thermocouple is a wrench. Water Heater Thermocouple Cleaning in 5 Steps. Then unfasten the three nuts that hold the thermocouple and the two gas tubes to the valve. The thermocouple is part of the pilot burner assembly and connects to the gas control valve on the outside of the water heater. If present, you should also clean off any corrosion where the power wire Cut the fuel supply to the water heater. Relight pilot according to manufactures recommendations. A thermocouple is a device used to satisfy pilot safety on many 24 volt gas systems. This part acts as a sensor and is connected to the pilot light. That’s why it’s essential that the thermocouple is thoroughly cleaned and maintained every few months. Well, that’s what this article sets out to cover. Once your unit is clean, put it back on the pilot assembly. Step 1: Disconnect the gas line from your heater by unscrewing the coupler that is attached to the gas inlet valve.The gas inlet valve at the bottom of the burner. Most gas furnaces use either a flame sensor or a thermocouple, sometimes referred to as a "thermal coupler." 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