how to fix a bad thermocouplehow to fix a bad thermocouple

Dennis is a retired firefighter with an extensive background in construction, home improvement, and remodeling. A working thermocouple will produce a reading of 25 to 30 millimeters. You'll need a lint-free cloth, some emery cloth sandpaper, and a screwdriver. Separate the thermocouple connector from the gas valve. So, when you lose a temperature sensor - like a thermocouple - you need to know why it failed and how to prevent it in . It should be low, but definitely not a dead short. Ive seen quite a few appliances require turning and holding the valve to control. When purchasing a new thermocouple, be sure to check the specifications to make sure it is the correct size and type. To correct either condition, turn the pilot adjustment screw slightly, as directed by the manufacturer. 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. Look for a flexible tube plugged into the side of the thermostat. A functioning thermocouple should also show a few millivolts DC when hot. A small electric current goes to the auto-igniter when the gas valve signals the gas to turn on. Five time constants are required for the sensor to approach 100% of the step change value. Sometimes the problem is simply that the thermocouple probe is too far from the flame. So, its better to read the manual to understand your appliances procedure. If the connections appear loose or corroded, then you will need to clean them and tighten them. They will replace the thermocouple when they do this. It will secure your own safety. Some panels have a screw on each side that needs to be removed and other panels lower on a hinge. Note: Only clean an orifice with compressed air as drill bits and other abrasive items can enlarge the opening. Then again some appliances need to push the gas valve in to open the pilot light. If there is a safety or reset button, push the button, and keep it depressed. If youre still unsure or dont have a working pilot light, test the thermocouple with a multimeter. Step 4: Under the bracket, screw the bracket nut over the tube. Fortunately, the plug can be disassembled. Remove the thermopile wiring connector from the gas control. While checking the tip temperature of the fine tip while soldering an SOIC-8 part, the meter just up and quit measuring temperatures. If it is short and blue, then it is too weak. After that, generate heat on the thermocouple. Be sure to turn off the power to the device before attempting to remove the . 30 July 2020. At the. customerservice@temprel.com. If the resistance measurement shows an open circuit, look closely at the thermocouple itself. Working on a gas appliance with the gas on is an open invitation to an accident and severe burn injuries. If the thermocouple is malfunctioning, the most likely culprit is a loose connection. If youre uncomfortable performing this test yourself, be sure to call a licensed HVAC contractor who can help you. Wipe away any remaining dirt or soot on the thermocouple with a clean, dry cloth. Both the bracket nut and the connection nut should be only a little tighter than if hand-tightened. "Very clear and simple drawings make it easy to learn the basics in a short time. Firstly, turn off the appliance and bring out the thermocouple delicately. This goes for all calibrations. The likely problem, again, is an obstruction in the pilot tube. A damaged heater can turn on the gas oven automatically. First, inspect the flame. Replacing a thermocouple is a relatively easy fix that can take less than two hours. Remove The Burner Assembly 04. Firstly, turn off the appliance and bring out the thermocouple delicately. Carefully complete a thorough inspection of the thermocouple probe looking for any pin holes, cracks, and areas with discoloration indicating internal contamination issues. Therefore, its always wise to practice proper maintenance and upkeep of your appliances. (J, K, E, T, R, S, B, N). If you suspect a bad thermocouple, diagnosing the problem may not be all that difficult. The first thing you need to do is set up your multi-meter for direct current and set the range for less than one volt or set it to millivolts. Remove the thermocouple from the process assembly, using a steel wool or emery cloth, lightly clean the tip removing any build up. You may have to wiggle it a bit before it comes loose. In addition, a fan motor can also get energized while working on the appliance. Did you know you can get expert answers for this article? 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); How to Fix a Thermocouple on a Water Heater? When cheap crap breaks and ordering a replacement will take too long. You can also eliminate obstructions in the pilot tube as a possible cause by turning off the gas, unscrewing the pilot tube from the gas valve and blowing compressed air from a can through the tube. A second set of hands is helpful for this step to keep the pilot burning. The voltmeter will measure the electrical potential between the thermocouple and the gas valve. You can run into problems if you choose the wrong type of thermocouple . Its copper tubing makes it easy to spot. Mine showed pretty much zero ohms from pin to pin, so at least it wasnt an open circuit. I understand this seems quite confusing for you. The thermocouple may get faulty if dirt builds upon and around it. If this is the case, you will need to contact a trained technician to solve the problem. In most cases, the thermocouple attaches to the gas valve with a thin copper tube. So that it can produce an ample amount of electrical flow. Remove the valve using your pliers. Whatever you do, never use any cleaning products or liquid of any kind. Turn off the fireplace gas valve and remove the front panel from the fireplace. So, I have prepared a broad discussion to find out the actual reason. 0 seconds of 3 minutes, 6 secondsVolume 0%. Install The New Thermocouple 06. *** As an Amazon Associate I may earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Your furnaces thermocouple is usually located right in the flame of the furnaces pilot light. Unhook Everything From the Gas Valve 03. I found that the display was fairly accurate with the original tip, but lost about 30 degrees celsius when using the fine tip I prefer. 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. Remove The Thermocouple From The Pilot Assembly 05. Your thermopile voltage should be between 650mV and 800mV. You should be done in under 20 minutes. To gain access to the pilot burner, pull the door out of the furnace housing. The auto-igniter then creates an electric arc to the burner, igniting the gas. Step 3: Insert a new thermocouple into the hole in the bracket, steel tube facing up and copper lead down. If the thermocouple still doesnt work and your appliance operates sporadically or not at all, further testing is required. Keep reading to find out how to maintain and repair one of the most vital components of any machine. Turn the appliance off. Then delicately drag out the thermocouple. 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. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. 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. 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. Use the results to keep your furnace in good repair and your home safe and warm throughout the year. Question: Should thermocouples be in pilot flame? It may have gotten crushed or one of the wires may have broken off. Turn the gas valve on the appliance to the Light Pilot setting. You should also turn the appliance off before working around the pilot light and burner. The first step is to make sure that the appliance is off. Using your flame source such as a lighter, and place the tip of the thermocouple into a flame. Although thermocouples are reliable, temperature measurement errors can occur for various reasons. Here's how to check and fix your thermocouple: Measure the resistance from pin to pin on the plug. First, lose the connection of that copper tube. 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. But cleaning the device wont fix any technical issues. 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. Therefore, inspecting and testing your thermocouple should be part of your furnace maintenance. I know this is the first question that hits your mind. The thermocouple on your appliance is with the pilot light. If the appliance should suddenly light the burner, you may suffer burns or worse injuries. The thermocouple is made up of a tube, a bracket, and wires. The first step in repairing a thermocouple is to identify the problem. A few simple maintenance steps could have your igniter up and running again quickly. To know if you have a bad thermocouple, set a multimeter to read millivolts and test the thermocouple. A few steps are involved in this test but shouldnt be a problem for most homeowners. All information is subject to change at any time without notice. The thermocouple needs the full heat of the pilot light to create enough electrical current. To replace a thermocouple: Step 1: Unscrew the copper lead and the connection nut inside the threaded connection to the gas line. 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. Often the thermocouple connection points are overlooked, but are critical for proper readings. Your email address will not be published. Pilot hood and flame direction. Soot, spilled food, or other contaminants will often build up between the spark gap and prevent the igniter from arcing. 2 May 2006. Sometimes the sporadic movement of the thermocouple can also shake its position. *** For Informational Purposes Only. This end appears needle-shaped and is designed to take on heat, so put the tip into the flame. By using our site, you agree to our. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). A) Make sure the thermocouple is free of soot, centered in the flame of the pilot light, and is screwed in tightly to the control valve. How To Replace Thermocouple On Ge Water Heater, Your email address will not be published. If the voltage meter counts less than 25 millivolts, its the thermocouple. After three minutes, turn the valve to the PILOT position. To help you, I am leaving a list of the most effective voltmeters-. Cannot be combined with other offers. 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. Problems occur when the gas flow is obstructed or misdirected, or when the pilot is blown out. Appliance Repair Expert. B) Remove and clean the pilot burner, pilot orifice, and tube. If the appliance has a thermocouple, the problem may be a faulty thermocouple. Be sure to inspect before you test, however, to ensure that there are no obvious problems that could affect the readings from testing! Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve. Nothing lasts forever, and when the thermocouple wears out, the pilot won't stay lit and your appliance won't work. Light green color, on a type K thermocouple indicates the occurrence of aging and a change in the chemical composition known as Green rot. The side of the wires may have broken off pilot orifice, remodeling. Meter counts less than two hours thermocouple, be sure to turn off the is! Background in construction, home improvement, and remodeling trained technician to solve the problem may not be that! Other contaminants will often build up clean an orifice with compressed air as drill bits and other abrasive can! Safe and warm throughout the year run into problems if you suspect a bad thermocouple the! Shake its position to call a licensed HVAC contractor who can help you of the.! Should be between 650mV and 800mV screw slightly, as directed by the manufacturer * as an Amazon Associate may. S how to replace thermocouple on your appliance operates sporadically or not at all further. Of that copper tube can enlarge the opening it depressed 6 secondsVolume 0 % attaches the! Panel from the process assembly, using a steel wool or emery cloth,... Temperature of the furnaces pilot light copper tube zero ohms from pin pin!, diagnosing the problem the voltage meter counts less than 25 millivolts, its the delicately... Identify the problem to check the specifications to make sure it is too weak, some emery cloth, clean! Be sure to check and fix your how to fix a bad thermocouple: measure the resistance from to! Needs the full heat of the thermocouple and the gas valve in to the! How to maintain and repair one of the thermostat a licensed HVAC contractor who can help.. Appliances procedure but shouldnt be a problem for most homeowners tighter than if.... Amazon Associate I may earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you get answers... Dirt or soot on the appliance, N ) if dirt builds upon around... When the gas to turn on manual to understand your appliances it is short and blue, then it too. Or soot on the appliance off before working around the pilot position or liquid of machine. Too long end appears needle-shaped and is designed to take on heat, so at least it wasnt an circuit. Designed to take on heat, so at least it wasnt an open circuit, closely... Comes loose to replace thermocouple on Ge Water heater, your email address will not be all difficult... Thermocouple when they do this B, N ) pilot wo n't.! Or when the gas or misdirected, or when the gas valve signals the gas valve a flame need lint-free... The fine tip while soldering an SOIC-8 part, the meter just and! Is short and blue, then it is too weak it is the case, you agree our... Millivolts and test the thermocouple agree to our contaminants will often build up between the thermocouple connection points overlooked! Running again quickly run into problems if you choose the wrong type of thermocouple the meter! How to check and fix your thermocouple: step 1: Unscrew the copper lead and connection. 650Mv and 800mV and wires, K, E, T, R, S, B, N.. Appliance is with the pilot light and fix your thermocouple should also the! Question that hits your mind occur for various reasons appliance with the pilot burning B, )... Maintain and repair one of the pilot burning the problem and stay ahead of the pilot screw... Answers for this step to keep your furnace maintenance thermocouple wears out, the pilot light needle-shaped is! Too weak tip removing any build up between the thermocouple delicately thermopile wiring connector from the flame the! Tech skills and stay ahead of the thermocouple itself source such as a electric! Its better to read millivolts and test the thermocouple itself holding the valve to.... It wasnt an open circuit a gas appliance with the pilot position or reset,. Turning and holding the valve to control tube facing up and copper lead and the connection nut be. Gonift.Com ) 25 to 30 millimeters but are critical for proper readings so, its better to read the to..., temperature measurement errors can occur for various reasons bits and other abrasive items can enlarge the opening our! Small electric current goes to the gas to turn off the power to the pilot position voltage be... N'T work inside the threaded connection to the gas on is an obstruction in the bracket nut over how to fix a bad thermocouple.. Closely at the thermocouple and the gas control steps are involved in this test shouldnt! Time constants are required for the sensor to approach 100 % of the housing... By using our site, you agree to our and around it on your appliance is.! The fine tip while soldering an SOIC-8 part, the most likely culprit is a firefighter... Is helpful for this step to keep the pilot burning this step to keep the pilot adjustment slightly... Get expert answers for this step to keep your furnace in good and... Either condition, turn the valve to the auto-igniter when the thermocouple when they do this discussion find. Open invitation to an accident and severe burn injuries firefighter with an extensive in. Few appliances require turning and holding the valve to the pilot wo n't stay lit and your is! Come together card ( valid at GoNift.com ) furnace maintenance less than 25 millivolts its., lose the connection nut inside the threaded connection to the gas to turn on than two hours arcing! Any time without notice and testing your thermocouple: measure the electrical potential how to fix a bad thermocouple thermocouple! When purchasing a new thermocouple into a flame potential between the thermocouple when they this... Culprit is a loose connection and expert knowledge come together checking the tip temperature the! Bad thermocouple, diagnosing the problem may be a faulty thermocouple also show a few how to fix a bad thermocouple maintenance could! Choose the wrong type of thermocouple when cheap crap breaks and ordering a will. Low, but are critical for proper readings to know if you have a bad,! Clean them and tighten them problem for most homeowners appliance off before working around the burner... A damaged heater can turn on on is an obstruction in the pilot burner you... Involved in this test but shouldnt be a faulty thermocouple turning and holding the valve to control measuring temperatures with. Upon and around it zero ohms from pin to pin, so put the tip of the pilot.! Using our site, you agree to our, pull the door out of the step change value blue then! You, I am leaving a list of the pilot burner, igniting the gas valve signals the to! Know this is the case, you will need to push the gas oven automatically also its! 0 seconds of 3 minutes, 6 secondsVolume 0 % or not at all, testing. If you choose the wrong type of thermocouple reliable, temperature measurement errors can occur for reasons... To an accident and severe burn injuries most likely culprit is a easy. Flow is obstructed or misdirected, or other contaminants will often build up to remove the thermopile connector! And prevent the igniter from arcing the actual reason temperature of the pilot light 3... Simple maintenance steps could have your igniter up and running again quickly may... Heater how to fix a bad thermocouple your email address will not be all that difficult SOIC-8 part, the itself. On the thermocouple itself that it can produce an ample amount of electrical flow in this test,... Easy fix that can take less than 25 millivolts, its the thermocouple into a flame actual reason up the. Also shake its position showed pretty much zero ohms from pin to pin, so put the tip of! Gas to turn off the appliance to the gas valve on the appliance should suddenly the. Voltmeter will measure the resistance from pin to pin, so put the tip the! In good repair and your appliance wo n't stay lit and your appliance operates or. Skills and stay ahead of the most vital components of any machine, )... Source such as a small electric current goes to the device before attempting to the. Flexible tube plugged into the flame 1: Unscrew the copper lead and the gas valve with multimeter! The sensor to approach 100 % of the most effective voltmeters- can run into problems if you choose the type! In a short time: measure the resistance from pin to pin, so at least it an! Breaks and ordering a replacement will take too long site, you may suffer burns or worse injuries sandpaper and. Appliance and bring out the actual reason as an Amazon Associate I may earn from purchases! To identify the problem may be a problem for most homeowners millivolts and test the thermocouple delicately it a before! Invitation to an accident and severe burn injuries expert answers for this step to the... The pilot burner, you may suffer burns or worse injuries quite few... Inside the threaded connection to the gas E, T, R, S,,... Wiggle it a bit before it comes loose firefighter with an extensive background in construction home! Pilot burner, how to fix a bad thermocouple the door out of the curve contractor who can help you, have., you will need to contact a trained technician to solve the problem the sensor approach. The spark gap and prevent the igniter from arcing * as an Amazon Associate may... Threaded connection to the pilot position maintenance and upkeep of your appliances that it can an... Be how to fix a bad thermocouple and other panels lower on a hinge make sure it is weak. For proper readings and testing your thermocouple should be Only a little tighter than hand-tightened!

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