how to fix a bad thermocouple

To bypass the thermocouple: Move the tilts switch wire aside. Regularly inspect the connections for signs of corrosion or loose wires. How To Clean a Thermocouple. The thermocouple is made up of a tube, a bracket, and wires. It's also a good idea to pull the pilot tube completely out and poke a needle in the flame orifice. The pilot should heat the top 7/8" of the thermocouple with a clean (blue) flame. Wipe away any remaining dirt or soot on the thermocouple with a clean, dry cloth. How To Replace Thermocouple On Ge Water Heater, Your email address will not be published. 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. You can run into problems if you choose the wrong type of thermocouple . Once youve identified the problem and cleaned and tightened the connections, its time to test the thermocouple. Now that is working again, it shows about 15 ohms. Here's how to check and fix your thermocouple: Measure the resistance from pin to pin on the plug. Additionally, be sure to keep the thermocouple free of dust and debris, as this can interfere with the functioning of the device. Turn the appliance off. The thermocouple will sit so that the tip of the thermocouple is directly in the pilot lights flame. In that case, you have to replace a new thermocouple. Start at the cable connector for the controller and work your way towards the tool. If the thermocouple is malfunctioning, the most likely culprit is a loose connection. The job of the thermocouple is to keep the pilot lit. 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. Step 1 Replace a thermocouple to fix a pilot light Thermocouple Unscrew the thermocouple lead along with the two gas tubes. Looking at the pilot light and the thermocouple, most of the thermocouple should be in the flame of the pilot light. A few simple maintenance steps could have your igniter up and running again quickly. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. You should be done in under 20 minutes. Overtightening it can prevent the flame from lighting. Sometimes youll notice tour appliances arent lighting or lighting sporadically. Connection from the thermocouple to the valve. The No. You should also turn the appliance off before working around the pilot light and burner. But cleaning the device wont fix any technical issues. The thermocouple doesnt have wires. The first step in repairing a thermocouple is to identify the problem. Thermocouples are essential components in many heating, cooling, and combustion systems. There are all sorts of methods out there. Just using the probe had twisted the wires around inside the strain relief and shorted them. 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 Step 3: If the pilot flame won't stay lit after several tries, it should be adjusted by a professional. Firstly, turn off the appliance and bring out the thermocouple delicately. It's a usually reliable device that works in conjunction with a standing pilot, which is the little flame that, like the Olympic torch, burns while the appliance is in operation. 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. Then, when the pilot is burning brightly, release the reset button. Soot, spilled food, or other contaminants will often build up between the spark gap and prevent the igniter from arcing. 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. Once this check is done, turn the meter back to volts. A thermocouple is a device that produces a small electric current when it is heated. 1 millivolt is equal to 1/1000 of a volt. Locate the thermocouple on the gas control thermostat. It is being used in a broad range of applications. Once you have located the thermocouple, do a visual inspection. This article was co-authored by Gevorg Grigorian. Categories Electrical, Home Improvement, Wiring, How to Ground a Pool Pump [Explained in 5 Steps], How to Connect Galvanized Pipe Without Threads [Explained]. So, I have prepared a broad discussion to find out the actual reason. Working with response times. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); How to Fix a Thermocouple on a Water Heater? Finally, put back the thermocouple inside the box. Be cautious when reinstalling the thermocouple. Use the chart below to make sure that the positive and negative connections are in the proper order. You may have to wiggle it a bit before it comes loose. The thermocouple, which operates as a safety device, turns the gas supply off when the pilot light goes out. There may be a broken wire in the plug if you find an open circuit from pin to pin. Often a thermocouple that is operating sporadically needs to be appropriately positioned. If the Leads on your thermocouple are reversed, the temperature measured will show to be varying in the opposite direction relative to ambient temperature. Learn about the Maintenance and Handling of Thermocouples, Email: After about a minute, when you're sure the probe has gotten hot, place one lead on the shaft of the thermocouple and the other lead on the connector. You can test this yourself using a multimeter, but you may need a helper to keep the pilot flame burning while you do it. For a thermocouple, which does not have connectors, place one meter lid on the copper "tube", and the other lid on the metal end of the copper tube, while the flame is heating the thermocouple. If your appliance wont light or only lights sporadically, the most common problem is build-up on the igniter. Your thermocouple voltage should be between 25mV and 30mV. Auto-igniters tend to be more efficient than pilot lights. That was odd. Ensure The Position And Sanctity of Thermocouple, Step 2: Bring out The Thermocouple from The Gas Valve. Therefore, inspecting and testing your thermocouple should be part of your furnace maintenance. The welded end of the thermocouple probe should protrude at least 1.5 inches (0.0381 meters) into the kiln chamber. You'll need a lint-free cloth, some emery cloth sandpaper, and a screwdriver. A thermocouple lasts for an average of 10 years, and you need to replace yours if there is too much rust on it. Turn on the power to the device, and then set the voltmeter to the thermocouple setting. While putting it back together, I put a small piece of heat shrink tubing over one of the wires inside the plug. Once youve purchased the replacement thermocouple, simply disconnect the old thermocouple and connect the new one in its place. [email protected]. Multiple connections should be avoided in order to improve accuracy. If a water heater pilot won't light at all, the thermocouple probably isn't the problem. If the connections appear loose or corroded, then you will need to clean them and tighten them. Then attach the black clamp to the gas valve. Remove the thermocouple by unscrewing the copper lead and connection nut (first) and then the bracket nuts. Depending on the heaters age, there may be problems with the gas valve, the controls, or even the burners themselves. First, lose the connection of that copper tube. "How to Repair Major Appliances" A few steps are involved in this test but shouldnt be a problem for most homeowners. Most problems with this type of valve are due to thermocouple problems. 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. 0 seconds of 3 minutes, 6 secondsVolume 0%. The Red wire is generally the negative (-) wire in thermocouples, harnesses, and cables. How To Install A Thermocouple On A Water Heater. Required fields are marked *. Compatible Thermocouple Calibration Type? Hence, you have to locate the thermocouple first to identify the problem in it. The only way for that to be possible (lower resistance at the plug than at the thermocouple) was for there to be a short in the wiring in the plug. By using our site, you agree to our. I fiddled with it for a while, then figured it was time to order a new thermocouple. Performing a few simple inspections and maintenance may solve your thermocouple problem without the need to install a new thermocouple. They will replace the thermocouple when they do this. 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. Unscrew the thermocouple from the gas valve and have a helper hold the gas control knob to keep the pilot burning. Lets be apart from here. Step 1. It can result in overrunning your central heating pump. Following a few steps and applying a bit of knowledge can have the fire back on in your gas appliance in no time. Or you might catch an electrical fire on your appliance. Remove The Burner Assembly 04. If your thermocouple is coated with a white, chalky material, this may indicate it's not functioning properly. Yes, you can clean a thermocouple, but the task must be done with a light touch. If you have a K-type thermocouple that came with your multimeter or if you bought one of the many cheap K-type thermocouples from Amazon or wherever, it may some day quit on you. Then attach a voltmeter between the thermocouple and the gas valve. Ive seen quite a few appliances require turning and holding the valve to control. Remove the thermopile wiring connector from the gas control. Use an 8mm wrench to pull off the thermocouple. A gas water heater in Boise, Baton Rouge, Buffalo or Boston uses a thermocouple that includes a probe attached to a copper tube that screws into a port on the gas valve. 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 in a standing pilot furnace. To know if you have a bad thermocouple, set a multimeter to read millivolts and test the thermocouple. On his retirement, he started a remodeling and home repair business, which he ran for several years. Your voltage meter has two probes, one red and one black. Ive explained everything regarding how to tell if a thermocouple is bad. The proper place for the device is in the flame of the pilot light. Your email address will not be published. If there is no reset button or gas valve, simply hold a lighted match to the pilot orifice. When cheap crap breaks and ordering a replacement will take too long. 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