Furnace Pilot Light Thermocouple

A thermocouple is a safety device that helps control the gas supply in gas heated furnaces.

Furnace pilot light thermocouple.

If the pilot light goes out the thermocouple will lose its voltage and the gas line to your furnace will be closed. This is all done as a safety feature so there are no gas leaks. The thermocouple is a gas furnace component located near the pilot light burner. For a basic test attempt to turn on the pilot light again.

In these systems the pilot will only light in the case of hot surface igniters the igniter surface heats when the thermostat makes a command for heat. It contains a metal rod that is placed very close to your pilot light s flame. In furnaces and water heaters and in some ranges and dryers the pilot light is accompanied by a safety device called a thermocouple a heat sensor that turns the gas off if the pilot flame is extinguished. Depress the button or knob for about 30 seconds.

The thermocouple detects the pilot light as it can sense the heat the pilot light creates. In this episode of repair and replace vance shows how to replace the thermocouple. When it stops working the furnace s pilot light also turns off. If the pilot light won t stay lit the thermocouple may be faulty and should be adjusted or replaced.

It is a safety device that shuts off the gas if the pilot light goes out or the electric igniter fails. Newer gas appliances have igniters that start the pilot light as needed. If you re having trouble locating the pilot or thermocouple double check to make sure your unit actually has a standing pilot light. This maintains gas flow to the pilot until the thermocouple gets hot enough to open the main gas valve.

A thermocouple is a safety device that s used to detect whether or not your furnace s pilot light is lit. When the thermocouple detects the pilot light is off it will shut down the gas flow. Standing pilot lights are common in older furnaces but many newer furnaces have intermittent pilot lights or hot surface igniters. This rod is connected to your furnace s gas valve.

If you re still unsure or don t have a working pilot light test the thermocouple with a multimeter. Light the standing pilot. If your furnace pilot light won t stay lit then it might be an easy fix.