Water Heater Pilot Light Thermocouple Replacement

A thermocouple or flame sensor is a device used to control gas flow in gas water heaters on older style heaters with standing pilot lights the device is typically called a thermocouple while on newer units with electronic ignition the same or virtually the same device is called a flame sensor for our purposes we ll refer to both devices as the thermocouple.

Water heater pilot light thermocouple replacement.

Since almost all major brands of atmospherically vented water heaters have switched from a thermocouple to a t. The thermocouple is the brain of your water heater. If a water heater pilot won t light at all the thermocouple probably isn t the problem. How to replace a thermopile on a water heater.

By james carey morris carey. The thermocouple is a thermoelectric device that shuts off the gas if the pilot light goes out. Reliance water heater pilot assembly 100109295 9003542005 replacement part natural gas compatible with reliance a o. Replacement is an easy diy repair.

A thermocouple senses the heat of the pilot and allows gas to flow to the burner. The thermocouple is triggered by an electric current produced by the pilot light. 104 plumbing plus universal pilot burner for gas appliances multiuse for gas water heater space heater fireplace furnace easy mount heavy duty long lasting pilot assembly for thermocouple 4 4 out of 5 stars 11. Rather than trying to unfasten the thermocouple inside the water heater s burning chamber it s easier to remove the whole burner and thermocouple.

The procedure for lighting a standing pilot always includes lighting the flame then manually holding in the gas valve to keep the flame burning and give the thermocouple time to heat up. If you have a gas water heater with a pilot light that won t stay lit it s probably due to a failed thermocouple. A bad thermocouple will shut off gas to both the pilot and the. The flame should be blue and steady.

Tank type gas water heaters use a pilot light to ignite the gas burner when the water in the tank needs to be heated. In simple terms it s a short piece of tubing that runs from the gas controller to the pilot. Remove the burner assembly and detach the thermocouple. If your hot water heater suddenly stops working chances are a bad thermocouple has shut off the gas to the pilot light.

Usually the first warning. It s easy to replace and a new one costs 5 to 10. Once you re done put it back and light your water heater. 1 cause of pilot lights that won t stay lit is a worn out thermocouple.