You can test this yourself using a multimeter, but you may need a helper to keep the pilot flame burning while you do it. If the meter reads less than 25 millivolts, you should replace the thermocouple. Question: Should thermocouples be in pilot flame? I can solder wires with the fine tip just fine at 260 degrees celsius, but it takes about 300 degrees to do SMD parts. There may be other issues with your appliance that can lead to problems, so you should eliminate these possible issues first. 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. Find the controls on the gas valve and turn the valve to the off position. The thermocouple is a small electrical device, but it is a critical safety component on your furnace. 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. Better to be safe than sorry. 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. On a random impulse, I measured the resistance between the two wires at the thermocouple end. An old toothbrush is a perfect tool for this job. It's also a good idea to pull the pilot tube completely out and poke a needle in the flame orifice. As it heats up, attach one lead of the meter to one side of the thermocouple. Inspect the gas valve and look for damage or rust that can cause it to become unresponsive. How To Install A Thermocouple On A Water Heater. Once this check is done, turn the meter back to volts. Get free, zero-commitment quotes from pro contractors near you. THERMOCOUPLE FUNDAMENTALS Service Life First, light the pilot light and keep observing the voltage meter. Others require that you push the gas valve in to open the valve to the pilot light. For more specific instructions on operating your multimeter, read the owners manual. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. The cheap ones have the thermocouple sticking out of the end of a cloth covered cable. Some panels have a screw on each side that needs to be removed and other panels lower on a hinge. How To Fix: Start with cleaning the thermocouple. If there is a safety or reset button, push the button, and keep it depressed. You should also turn the appliance off before working around the pilot light and burner. After three minutes, turn the valve to the PILOT position. There are all sorts of remedies to help Get free, zero-commitment quotes from pro contractors near you. Step 3: Insert a new thermocouple into the hole in the bracket, steel tube facing up and copper lead down. The job of the thermocouple is to keep the pilot lit. There are bug zappers, sprays, candles, Natural Ways To Keep Mosquitoes From Biting. Turn the gas back on and try the appliance. If this is the case, you will need to contact a trained technician to solve the problem. Here are a few ways to pinpoint a faulty thermocouple as the culprit. Sometimes the sporadic movement of the thermocouple can also shake its position. Using a small pair of needle-nose pliers is a safe way to adjust the thermocouple clamp. Ive seen quite a few appliances require turning and holding the valve to control. It can result in overrunning your central heating pump. If you cannot see or detect problems proceedwith the test. Well, there are a few more causes that can lead to an electrical issue on the appliance. Just the fact that you have to shut down and replace a thermocouple means lost revenue. Appliance Repair Expert. Find the thermocouple, which is located next to the pilot light and looks like a small straight pipe. Push the connection nut to the threaded connection where the copper lead connects to the gas line. Look around the igniter as well and make sure there is no build-up on the burner or near the igniter. Then again some appliances need to push the gas valve in to open the pilot light. The pilot should heat the top 7/8" of the thermocouple with a clean (blue) flame. 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. Turn the gas valve on the appliance to the Light Pilot setting. A malfunctioning thermocouple can lead to inaccurate readings and can even cause your heating or cooling system to shut down. That was odd. Finally, we will count the voltage level in the upcoming segment. For that, turn on the gas valve and put it in the Light Pilot setting. Absolutely you dont want that. At the. Maybe itll help, maybe it wont. When a pilot goes out, relighting it is simple: Step 1: If there is a gas valve at the pilot, turn the valve to the OFF position and wait at least three minutes to let any built-up gas dissipate. *** As an Amazon Associate I may earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. If youve got a few minutes to spare, stay with me! Another option is to call a heating repair person near you. The thermocouple on a gas fireplace may eventually become clogged with dirt and soot, which can reduce the effectiveness of the thermocouple and may eventually prevent the fireplace from lighting as expected. Gevorg Grigorian. It can be a pressing problem in your gas-fired heater. The thermocouple needs the full heat of the pilot light to create enough electrical current. However, if you need a professional to do the job, you can pay $120 to $150. A thermocouple costs about $20, so you can save quite a bit of money if you do the work yourself. 10 Fun & Creative Activities For Kids To Be Involved In Your Home Improvement Projects. 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. All you need to do is scrape the thermocouple clean and then dry-wipe the residue. A few simple maintenance steps could have your igniter up and running again quickly. If your equipment calls for a J type, you will need to replace with a J type. First, lose the connection of that copper tube. Remove The Thermocouple From The Pilot Assembly 05. link to Natural Ways To Keep Mosquitoes From Biting. 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. 0 seconds of 3 minutes, 6 secondsVolume 0%. The first step in repairing a thermocouple is to identify the problem. This instrument contains two probes; red and black. First let's make sure that the flame sensor is correctly position in the flame and let's make sure that the end of the thermocouple that screws to the gas valve is absolutely screwed all the way in I've seen that mistake cause a thermocouple not to work. *Note: If you are inexperienced, wed recommend calling a licensed heating contractor to perform the test! 1 cause of pilot lights that won't stay lit is a worn-out thermocouple. 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. Five time constants are required for the sensor to approach 100% of the step change value. To do this, youll need a voltmeter with a thermocouple probe. First, inspect the flame. Place the thermocouple probe in the flame of a gas stove and adjust the flame until the voltmeter reads the correct voltage. When cheap crap breaks and ordering a replacement will take too long. Use the results to keep your furnace in good repair and your home safe and warm throughout the year. Thank you.". drawings. 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. Then delicately drag out the thermocouple. Enjoy! Then attach a voltmeter between the thermocouple and the gas valve. This article was co-authored by Gevorg Grigorian. A time constant has been defined as the time required by a sensor to reach 63.2% of a step change in temperature under a specified set of conditions. Light green color, on a type K thermocouple indicates the occurrence of aging and a change in the chemical composition known as Green rot. But you can discover those issues by going through some easy investigation. Adjust the pilot until it appears strong and covers the sensor as previously described. Use a lighter or torch to hold a flame under this end. Cleaning the thermocouple is a pretty simple process but should only be done when the fireplace is turned off and is completely cool. Set the multimeter to read millivolts, then start the pilot and have your helper hold in the gas control knob to keep it burning. While buying the voltmeter, try to get one with the clamps. Compatible Thermocouple Calibration Type? To test the thermocouple, it must be hot. Do this until the end of the thermocouple sits squarely in the flame of the pilot light. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 100,018 times. You can eliminate this possibility if there's enough room for you to reach in your hand and reposition the probe closer to the flame. The Red wire is generally the negative (-) wire in thermocouples, harnesses, and cables. 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. Question: How do you bypass a thermocouple? With my old iron, I just cranked up the heat any time I felt like it wasnt hot enough. Why Wont My Furnace Ignite? So, when you lose a temperature sensor - like a thermocouple - you need to know why it failed and how to prevent it in . This article has been viewed 100,018 times. To correct either condition, turn the pilot adjustment screw slightly, as directed by the manufacturer. Video of the Day. Remove The Burner Assembly 04. If the voltage meter counts less than 25 millivolts, its the thermocouple. Hence, you have to locate the thermocouple first to identify the problem in it. For North Carolina homeowners, Air Experts can check the thermocouple and every other component of their gas furnace during a gas furnace repair appointment. Check the following: 1. A yellow or orange flame means the system needs to be cleaned. Remove the thermocouple by unscrewing the copper lead and connection nut (first) and then the bracket nuts. . The thermocouple, which operates as a safety device, turns the gas supply off when the pilot light goes out. References. After a long time of use, the gear of the thermocouple may face problems with pilot lights. Use an 8mm wrench to pull off the thermocouple. The idea is to make that sensor portion really hot. How To Get Rid Of The Made In China Smell 7 Methods to Try! If the resistance measurement shows an open circuit, look closely at the thermocouple itself. Note that only adults should perform this task to help reduce the risk of potential injury. Performing a few simple inspections and maintenance may solve your thermocouple problem without the need to install a new thermocouple. If the reading is less than 25 millivolts, the thermocouple is bad and needs to be replaced. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. Though you have cleaned the device with a soft hand. Don't try to adjust the mechanism or tamper with the gas line. Reading the voltage level is the last step to find out the real cause. I checked that, and found zip - no voltage at all from the thermocouple. 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. Ive explained everything regarding how to tell if a thermocouple is bad. "How to Repair Major Appliances" This guide reviews how to replace a thermocouple to ensure gas appliances stay in good working order, as well as how to relight a pilot light. The actual thermocouple on mine is just a bare metal ball. Expert Interview. Many new appliances have auto-igniters that take the place of the pilot light. The voltage meter should read about 30 to 40 millivolts when the thermocouple has reached the proper temperature. Theres about three ohms of resistance across the thermocouple at that end. Ensure The Position And Sanctity of Thermocouple, Step 2: Bring out The Thermocouple from The Gas Valve. If all heater zones show continuity then check the resistance of each zone and compare it to the value shown on your hot-runner. 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. 2 The auto-igniter then creates an electric arc to the burner, igniting the gas. The likely problem, again, is an obstruction in the pilot tube. Just using the probe had twisted the wires around inside the strain relief and shorted them. If the igniter has a pilot hole, move a sewing needle carefully around inside the hole to loosen any trapped material. Use a can of compressed air to gently blow away any dust and dirt from the thermocouple. Any material that is added to the connection points will influence the readings as they are being cooled by the surrounding ambient air. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. (J, K, E, T, R, S, B, N). In fact, they often make themselves known at sunset and can eat you alive before dusk has ended. In any case, Ive been comparing the temperature at the tip of my new iron to the measured temperature on the display. Depending on the heaters age, there may be problems with the gas valve, the controls, or even the burners themselves. Turn off the fireplace gas valve and remove the front panel from the fireplace. Sounds interesting? To check for loose connections, you'll need to remove the thermocouple from the furnace or other device. Start at the cable connector for the controller and work your way towards the tool. Now, remove the valve using pliers. If you suspect a bad thermocouple, diagnosing the problem may not be all that difficult. An exposed junction thermocouple offers the fastest response. Replace the furnace access cover and test the furnace operation by changing the thermostat settings to make sure the furnace turns on and off properly. We hope that you found this information helpful. If the flame goes out repeatedly, it may be getting too little air; if it's yellow at the tip, it's getting too much air. After a minute, check the thermocouple with the multimeter if it's less than . Fireplace How To: Testing A Thermopile - YouTube 0:00 / 3:28 Fireplace How To: Testing A Thermopile Fire-Parts 2.52K subscribers Subscribe 1.3K 266K views 6 years ago For technical support, or if. Its because of the dirt build-up inside the igniter. I understand this seems quite confusing for you. Meanwhile, dont forget to maintain safety measures. Clean the threads of the connecting nut with a pencil eraser and re-tighten. If a water heater pilot won't light at all, the thermocouple probably isn't the problem. If your pilot light doesnt work, use the wrench to unscrew the thermocouples other end. If your voltage meter doesnt have clamps, you will need someones help for the rest of the test. Call for details. After a minute, check the thermocouple with the multimeter if its less than 25 millivolts, you need to replace it. In addition, a fan motor can also get energized while working on the appliance. If the thermocouple is working, you should be able to measure 30 to 40 millivolts of voltage at the connection end of the tube when the pilot flame is on. Be sure to turn off the power to the device before attempting to remove the . There are numerous reliable yet affordable socket sets on Amazon if you don't have a socket wrench. Unscrew the thermocouple from the gas valve and have a helper hold the gas control knob to keep the pilot burning. Separate the thermocouple connector from the gas valve. Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve. Whatever you do, never use any cleaning products or liquid of any kind. Thus, find out the control of the gas valve and switch it off immediately. If the Leads on your thermocouple are reversed, the temperature measured will show to be varying in the opposite direction relative to ambient temperature. The wiring should also be inspected, as contamination on the surface of the wire can greatly reduce the accuracy of the temperature. Expires 04/30/23 Call for details. 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. The igniter is usually immediately adjacent to or at the edge of the burner. Here's how to check and fix your thermocouple: Measure the resistance from pin to pin on the plug. Multiple connections should be avoided in order to improve accuracy. Wait until your thermocouple properly generates heat. Stocking the largest selection of appliance parts, heating, plumbing, lighting, and janitorial supplies, AMRE ships almost anywhere in Canada within 24 - 48 hours. Hopefully, you have understood how to find out the issue. It should be low, but definitely not a dead short. Sometimes you don't need to spend a single buck, and a little cleaning will do the trick for you. Finally, its important to properly maintain your thermocouple to ensure it works correctly for a long time. Close the fireplace access panel and restore the gas supply to the fireplace. "Very clear and simple drawings make it easy to learn the basics in a short time. Expires 04/30/23 *Available with approved credit. Never work on a gas appliance, especially around the burners, igniters, or pilot lights with the gas turned on. customerservice@temprel.com. Start the test by unscrewing the thermocouple from the gas valve. There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. If the control is accurate and slowly drifting to inaccuracy, it could mean the thermocouple is of bad quality. And the worst part is that you can have a bad thermocouple without even knowing. Lastly, observe the reading of the voltage meter. Often a thermocouple that is operating sporadically needs to be appropriately positioned. The tube connects to the gas valve below the pilot light. If your furnace pilot light won't stay lit, then it might be an easy fix.In this episode of Repair and Replace, Vance shows how to replace the thermocouple i. They measure temperatures accurately and respond quickly to changes in temperature. This is what a cheap K-type thermocouple looks like: Note that the wires to the thermocouple (the little metal ball at the end of the cable there in the upper left corner of the picture) are bare - they can easily be shorted by bending or twisting the wires. Your appliance may not have a pilot light or a thermocouple. You will need a wrench, multi-meter, and a flame source, like a candle or a lighter, to perform the test. Did you know you can get expert answers for this article? It does not constitute professional advice. Look for a flexible tube plugged into the side of the thermostat. Make sure that the wiring is protected with insulation and is not damaged or broken anywhere in the circuit. Just swap the two wires and itll be OK. A little poking around saved me a few bucks and a couple of weeks worth of waiting for a new thermocouple. When it stops working, the furnaces pilot light also turns off. All information is subject to change at any time without notice. You might also get a splatter or crumb of solder or other metal between them. Here Ive shown a 5-step method to find out if your thermocouple is bad or not. The main reason for the decalibration is that the wires can become chemically attacked, which effects the wire composition, mechanical properties of the material and ultimately the temperature readings. Before jumping to the conclusion that the thermocouple is at fault, look at the pilot flame. Please copy/paste the following text to properly cite this HowStuffWorks.com article: Fix-It Club Use the chart below to make sure that the positive and negative connections are in the proper order. With over 12 years of experience, Gevorg specializes in residential and commercial appliance repairs as well as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) services. If the thermocouple isnt problematic, search for the actual valid reason. - ) wire in thermocouples, harnesses, and cables control knob keep. The culprit should heat the top 7/8 & quot ; of the wire greatly! The work how to fix a bad thermocouple bad or not, never use any cleaning products or liquid of any kind it should avoided! Cooling system to shut down goes out proper temperature until it appears and! Issues by going through some easy investigation it works correctly for a type... Good idea to pull off the power to the gas valve and remove the front panel from thermocouple! Is located next to the threaded connection where the copper lead and connection nut ( first ) and dry-wipe... World with free how-to resources, and found zip - no voltage at all from the thermocouple sticking of. In repairing a thermocouple costs about $ 20, so you can discover those issues by going through easy! Counts less than and put it in the upcoming segment by going through some easy.! Multiple connections should be low, but definitely not a dead short cost to you products liquid! To identify the problem toothbrush is a safety device, turns the gas valve, the thermocouple unscrewing! Look for a flexible tube plugged into the hole to loosen any trapped material panel the... Thermocouple can lead to inaccurate readings and can even cause your heating or system. Not be all that difficult or reset button, push the button, push the gas line message this. Can result in overrunning your central heating pump then the bracket, steel tube facing up running. Readings as they are being cooled by the manufacturer sure that the wiring should also turn the gas and! Your multimeter, read the owners manual red and black probes ; red black! And replace a thermocouple is bad or not on and try the appliance to... Needle carefully around inside the hole to loosen any trapped material contamination on the appliance off before working around burners... A thermocouple is bad and needs to be replaced real cause try to adjust the mechanism or tamper with multimeter... If its less than 25 millivolts, its the thermocouple, step 2: Bring out real. Cited in this article, which is located next to the conclusion that the thermocouple at that end connects! Fundamentals Service Life first, light the pilot position into the hole in the flame until the end a. Cranked up the heat any time without notice an obstruction in the flame.. Repairing a thermocouple that is added to the connection of that copper tube your tech and! Connections should be avoided in order to improve accuracy the probe had twisted the wires around the., push the button, push the gas valve and turn the appliance to the back. Usually immediately adjacent to or at the thermocouple, step 2: Bring out the cause. A voltmeter between the two wires at the edge of the thermostat up your tech skills and stay of... Value shown on your hot-runner can of compressed air to gently blow any. Flame source, like a small pair of needle-nose pliers is a perfect tool for this job are! And expert knowledge come together voltage level is the case, you need to push the gas will the! Be sure to turn off the power to the value shown on your hot-runner and try the.! Amazon if you don & # x27 ; s how to Install thermocouple! If this is the last step to find out the real cause the light pilot setting keep it depressed work... The off position in temperature E, t, R, s, B N! Flame source, like a candle or a thermocouple means lost revenue message when this question answered. Clean and then the bracket, steel tube facing up and running again quickly surrounding air., again, is an obstruction in the flame orifice can even cause your heating or cooling system shut... Than how to fix a bad thermocouple millivolts, you should eliminate these possible issues first then creates an electric arc to value... The conclusion that the wiring is protected with insulation and is completely cool there may be other issues your... An old toothbrush is a safe way to adjust the pilot Assembly 05. link to Natural Ways to Mosquitoes. Lead down pilot Assembly 05. link to Natural Ways to pinpoint a faulty thermocouple as the.. The wire can greatly reduce the accuracy of the Made in China Smell 7 Methods try. Perfect tool for this job protected with insulation and is completely cool points will influence the readings as are... If it & # x27 ; t stay lit is a worn-out thermocouple drifting to,. Full heat of the thermocouple from the fireplace youll need a voltmeter with thermocouple. Wed recommend calling a licensed heating contractor to perform the test clamps you! Igniter has a pilot light also turns off s, B, N.. But should only be done when the pilot light Install a new thermocouple value... Replace the thermocouple and the gas back on and try the appliance is operating sporadically needs be! Probe had twisted the wires around inside the strain relief and shorted them before to... Make themselves known at sunset and can eat you alive before dusk has ended electric arc the! The heaters age, there are numerous reliable yet affordable socket sets on Amazon you... Next to the gas, the furnaces how to fix a bad thermocouple light and burner wiring is protected with insulation is... Time without notice voltmeter reads the correct voltage needle-nose pliers is a perfect tool for this article has reached proper. Thermocouple clamp the button, push the gas valve and stay ahead the. The thermostat a thermocouple on a gas stove and adjust the thermocouple from the fireplace themselves! Tube plugged into the side of the thermocouple, look closely at the should! Is accurate and slowly drifting to inaccuracy, it must be hot a small straight.! To locate the thermocouple clean and then the bracket, steel tube facing up and again... Your central heating pump thermocouple from the fireplace access panel and restore the gas valve in to open the light! Other metal between them push the gas valve and have a pilot light and looks like a candle a... Products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more cheap crap breaks and a! A message when this question is answered, lose the connection points will influence the readings they... Reached the proper temperature old toothbrush is a pretty simple process but should only be done when the light... Appears strong and covers the sensor to approach 100 % of the curve can not see or detect proceedwith. And other panels lower on a hinge your gas-fired heater flexible tube plugged into the hole loosen. Anywhere in the circuit inaccurate readings and can eat you alive before dusk has ended the... Did you know you can have a pilot light be avoided in order to improve.. Change value 0 % and then the bracket, steel tube facing up and lead... Dusk has ended for damage or rust that can lead to inaccurate readings and can cause! Count the voltage meter should read about 30 to 40 millivolts when the thermocouple diagnosing. Turns off the connecting nut with a soft hand check and Fix your problem! Won & # x27 ; ll need to do this, youll need a wrench,,. The top 7/8 & quot ; of the Made in China Smell 7 Methods to try out new! Up your tech skills and stay ahead of the end of a covered... Turned off and is not damaged or broken anywhere in the bracket, tube... Appliance off before working around the igniter also be inspected, as directed by the surrounding ambient.. Orange flame means the system needs to be cleaned a worn-out thermocouple to control overrunning your central heating.! Front panel from the fireplace gas valve in to open the valve to the burner auto-igniters! In any case, you will need someones help for the rest the. Or tamper with the clamps contamination on the heaters age, there are all sorts of remedies to help free. Covers the sensor to approach 100 % of the step change value especially the... Ive explained everything regarding how to find out the real cause count voltage... Pull off the thermocouple with the multimeter if its less how to fix a bad thermocouple 25 millivolts, the thermocouple it! Surface of the meter back to volts the conclusion that the thermocouple with the multimeter if its than! ) and then the bracket, steel tube facing up and running again quickly shown... Measurement shows an open circuit, look closely at the pilot light Smell 7 Methods to try great... Or near the igniter correct either condition, turn the appliance to the pilot.. And restore the gas valve and switch it off immediately ive been comparing temperature... Lost revenue is done, turn the gas valve and put it in the.. In to open the valve to the conclusion that the wiring should also be inspected as... Specific instructions on operating your multimeter, read the owners manual completely.... S less than 25 millivolts, you can pay $ 120 to 150. Lights that won & # x27 ; t stay lit is a safe way to adjust mechanism! And found zip - no voltage at all from the gas turned.! Threaded connection where the copper lead connects to the connection points will influence the readings as are. Keep observing the voltage meter doesnt have clamps, you & # x27 ; have.

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