Gas Water Heater Thermocouple Issues

The most common problems.

Gas water heater thermocouple issues. The other less common problem would be the gas valve. Thermocouples are used as safety devices that will shut off equipment by shutting down the lp or natural gas fuel supply on some gas fired heating equipment such as gas fired furnaces gas fired heating boilers and gas fired water heaters. When the pilot is not lit the gas valve will not turn the gas on. First try relighting the pilot following the directions pasted on the tank.

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. 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. It is important to make sure that there are no leaks on your water heater after you replace the thermocouple. It senses when the pilot light is on.

The gas water heater thermocouple is a safety device. Gas hot water heater troubleshooting usually leads you to the thermocouple. When you see water that appears to be leaking from the bottom of a gas water heater it could be because of condensation try turning up the thermostat a leaking or loose drain valve or the t p valve draining some water through the overflow pipe due to tank overpressurization. Use the dishwashing liquid solution to check the connections around the pilot light and burner.

Reinstall the access covers and slowly turn up the temperature until the burner is lit. A worn out thermocouple is one of the most common gas water heater problems when thermocouples wear out the pilot light goes out the burner won t light and you will have no hot water. A bad gas valve will not allow any gas to go to the burner or pilot light. Open the gas supply to the unit and light the pilot.

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. 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. If simple relighting or replacing the thermocouple or flame sensor does not restore the water heater to good operation then the problem is more serious and probably requires service from a plumber or appliance technician. Make sure the problem is not your water heater pilot light before you attempt this repair.