Gas Hot Water Heater Thermocouple Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting a water heater thermocouple.

Gas hot water heater thermocouple troubleshooting.

Building mechanical systems oil gas heating water heaters gas burner flame safety water mild chemicals gases dry areas engines hospitals food industry. 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. You will not have hot water supply in your plumbing system. The danger with a gas hot water heater is the gas itself.

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. The thermoucouple is a simple replaceable part on your hot water heater. Some common problems for all types of hot water heaters are pressure relief valves leaks sediment drain valves anode rods and dip tubes. If it is not behaving as it should replacing it is the only option.

The thermocouple found in older water heaters that have permanently lit pilot lights or the flame sensor found in newer water heaters is a simple device that senses the heat in the pilot light flame. How to diagnose and repair a faulty atmospherically vented gas fired water heater. Example tank is a john wood 40 gallo. Troubleshooting low performance insufficient hot water pilot light problems improper gas combustion issues with the pilot light thermocouple gas burner venting and other common issues.

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. Thermocouple repair replacement. To test if the problem. 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.

A general troubleshooting discussion is provide in the article identifying and repairing water heater problems. Type k chromel alumel are the most widely used general purpose thermocouple 200 c to 1350 c 330 f to 2460 f. Gas hot water heater troubleshooting guide will assume that the gas unit was correctly sized professionally installed per codes and manufacturers. Common problems and how to fix them.

For gas powered water heaters the thermocouple serves as a safety device to detect if the pilot light is burning. There are no adjustments or parts that can be repaired or replaced.