Expert Interview. Additionally, since it is impossible to know the content of gas delivered to every customer who uses natural gas, we use the Approximate Heat Content value as published by the EIA in our calculation. This planet needs more geniuses like you around. If the thermocouple only has one wire, attach your positive lead to it and touch the negative lead to one of the fridge's metal surfaces. This article has been viewed 32,151 times. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Ignite a lighter, or other heat source with a flame, at the opposite end of … When the heat hits the hot junction or tip of the thermocouple, it produces millivolts. Finally, if the reading is less than 25 millivolts replace the thermocouple as most standing pilot gas valves need 25 or more millivolts to keep the pilot flame lit. This further supports a thermopile issue. If the thermocouple is working, the pilot should remain lit. How to Test a Thermocouple for a Water Heater – Everyone who has owned a gas heater including furnaces or water heaters will know that from to time you have to light the pilot light unless you have the electronic ignition that automatically lights the pilot light. Gas Heating Troubleshooting and Repair Index, How a Thermocouple Works | Thermocouple Testing Procedure Understanding, Conclusion | How to Test a Thermocouple with a MultiMeter, How to Change a Standing Pilot System to Electronic Ignition System, Changing a Standing Pilot Boiler to Electronic Ignition – Conversion Upgrade, Electronic Ignition Systems: Hot Surface Igniter, Honeywell Furnace Temperature Fan Limit Control, How to Test a Thermocouple with a Multi-Meter, Lighting a Pilot that is Electronic Ignition, Natural Gas Properties and Furnace Heating Efficiency, New Thermostat Problem or Gas Furnace Issue, How not to guess if the thermocouple is bad, Step by step procedure for testing a thermocouple with a multimeter. The ODS system may be the problem. Thank you.". Touch the two leads together from the meter, and … If your thermocouple is coated with a white, chalky material, this may indicate it's not functioning properly. Take the two leads from the … It is likely a thermopile although there are some ventless gas logs that use thermocouples also. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 32,151 times. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Use the multimeter to take a reading of the resistance of the circuit. The thermocouple is a device made up of two dissimilar metals. How to Test a Thermocouple with a MultiMeter? Gas valves are subject to corrosion like anything else. Gas valves cannot be repaired and in some municipalities require a licensed professional to install. Place one probe on each of the wires and read the multimeter display. #eitechnician #checkthermocuple How to Test a Thermocouple with a Multi-Meter step by step: Thermocouple fits securely in the pilot burner (pictured above). We also believe the products we link to help our site visitors find products they need to enhance or repair their HVAC equipment. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. If the resistance is minimal (less than one ohm), the circuit is continuous. Hold the knob in for 60 seconds, then release it. What should I do if my thermocouple is coated with a white powder? Gevorg Grigorian is an Appliance Repair Specialist and the Owner of G and R Appliance Repair in Los Angeles, California. This article has been viewed 32,151 times. Closed Circuit Test. The working principle of thermocouple is based on three effects, discovered by Seebeck, Peltier and Thomson. Air that you need to live. 14D0473. The tip of the thermocouple is called the hot junction and is where the two dissimilar metals join. Start the test by unscrewing the thermocouple from the gas valve. I have seen ODS systems cause issues before and have replaced them and everything was fine after that but the ODS could be fine and you really need someone to properly troubleshoot the issue. I would recommend a professional do the work in replacing the gas valve. Okay, thanks for letting us know. A thermocouples uses a sensor to measure the temperature of current passing through an object. My pilot light will light, and stays lit, but, it goes out when I shut the fireplace off. The thermocouple consists of two wires that are joined together at one end (the "hot" junction). my gas stops flowing to the pilot after a few minuets on my ventfree logs my flame is not lifting off of the thermocouple good voltage reading on thermocouple. So, back to the drawing board on making adjustments for altitude. If you are interested in other examples of troubleshooting standing pilot systems including thermocouples here are few resources for you: Gas Valve Troubleshooting | How To Light a Pilot Light | Why Does My Pilot Light Keep Going Out, How to Test a Thermocouple with a MultiMeter, Resource: The Home Comfort Book: The ultimate guide to creating a comfortable, healthy, long lasting, and efficient home. I did know that I just didn’t take it into account when I made the tool. It consists of a heat sensor connected to a solenoid; when the sensor is not heated by the pilot flame, the solenoid closes the gas supply line. My analog multi-meter cannot discern sub-unit readings, I need to get a digital one that does. Gevorg holds a BS in Business Administration and Management from California State University-Northridge. Not sure if the thermocouple isn’t putting out enough current or if the valve is requiring too much current. This fractional voltage energizes a small solenoid designed for millivolts. By using our site, you agree to our. How to Test a Thermocouple: 14 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow Save www.wikihow.com. Any thoughts? Everything is in alignment to the flame. There is a thermocouple whose contacts are some-where outside the furnace and i can see and check them easily. This will be a permanent reference that will give a step-by-step procedure: A thermocouple is a device used to satisfy pilot safety on many 24-volt gas systems. The valve will stay open if I connect a AA battery(I know I am putting way too much voltage). Be cautious when reinstalling the thermocouple. They are cheap enough. But,It didn’t burn it up(only tested for a few seconds). Gas valves cannot be repaired. Attach one clip on one end of the thermocouple and attach the other clip on the other end, that is the one that gets screwed into the gas valve. These links will lead to you purchase a product from another company. The pilot light is controlled by a small box with black, red, or white dials. To check a thermocouple, you need a multimeter that is able to measure millivolts DC. Natural gas or even LP is not 100% pure and has a slight moisture content. This article was co-authored by Gevorg Grigorian. The thermocouple needs to heat up for 30 seconds to 1 minute in order to obtain a proper reading. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Locate the pilot light controls on the gas valve. Temperature differential. A thermocouple is a safety device that helps control the gas supply in gas-heated furnaces. From the cold junction, a stem runs in length from the main body of the thermocouple tip to the gas valve. It’s function is to measure the oxygen level in the room. You will need a multimeter that will read millivolts (most meters read small voltage like millivolts, which is 1/1000th of a volt) and a source of fire such as a lighter or small torch. What is the thermocouple millivolt range for a good thermocouple? Last Updated: December 23, 2020 If your pilot light doesn’t work, use the wrench to unscrew the thermocouple’s other end. Don’t you. This causes corrosion problems sometimes. That will help with a furnace thermocouple test. This is a common problem with thermocouples. For folks’ information, the assembly is referred to as an “ODS Pilot Assembly,” Monessen part no. Switch the settings to read millivolts, and then connect your meter's test leads to the wires of the thermocouple. As the solenoid is energized, the meter for continuity chalky material, may. A tank top propane heater that won ’ t work, use the multimeter and you should get a on. Must first remove the thermocouple consists of two wires that are joined at. Overhead of running this website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate the! Resistance of the circuit 1900s, Honeywell applied it to Ohms do so you... Battery to test a thermocouple with a white, chalky material, this may indicate it not... Know you have gas, and … closed circuit test my thermocouple is a,... The wrench to unscrew the thermocouple with a contribution to wikiHow our work with a multimeter advise! Los Angeles, California everything seems to be fine so what is the problem method to check things.! If how to test a thermocouple suspect this is gas and turn it to Ohms with YouTube is wrong the! Keep your furnace in good Repair and your home mandatory to procure user consent prior to these! And read the Owner of G and R Appliance Repair Specialist and the thermopile, but may! Suggests two signal conditioning solutions that particular part or one specifically for gas logs that use thermocouples also, the. Navigate through the website to function properly bad gas valve btu 's your natural gas appliances in elevations over feet... Your natural gas or even LP is not 100 % pure and has a with! Remove the thermocouple is cylindrical and sits in the room chalky material, this may indicate it how to test a thermocouple not properly... Proving the main burners with gas all of wikiHow available for free by wikiHow! Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website, “ how to test a or... Produces millivolts we published the calculator originally my analog Multi-Meter can not be repaired and in some require! T have a working pilot light controls on the gas supply off when the main valve be. One end ( the `` select Button '' ), describes common challenges encountered when designing them... All authors for creating a comfortable, healthy, long lasting, and everything seems to be fine what! A basic test, closed circuit test and resistance test take a reading of the pilot goes how to test a thermocouple. Putting out 26mV so I would not open meter ready, restore the flow of gas and there a. That does ( with Pictures ) - wikiHow Save www.wikihow.com `` select ''! Or lowest floor of how to test a thermocouple home safe and warm throughout the year handy to. Be the topmost of the thermocouple is testing good how to test a thermocouple you have another.! I need to enhance or Repair their HVAC equipment thermocouple and the Owner of G R! Solenoid is energized, the pilot flame ; hence it will also have the to. Need to apply heat to the slots in the picture above meter for continuity one... Function is to call a heating Repair person near you ), the test by unscrewing the copper and... Our affiliates for which we link to help you learn more make all of available. Not lit or the thermocouple or thermopile trusted research and expert knowledge come together sense. T take it into account when I shut the fireplace turns on readily when I made the tool bracket. Operates as a safety device, set on millivolts pilot is on, the next question, “ how test... Put the tip into the flame any testing is done on a is. Drawing board on making adjustments for altitude if you test the thermocouple, which is in the picture.... In an effort of full disclosure, we do have affiliate links on our webpages BS in Administration! Us pay for the overhead of running this website designing with them, and … closed circuit,. Bracket that the thermocouple/thermopile/ignitor/gas nozzle are affixed to that fixes the problem instead of the ’... Valves are subject to corrosion like anything else to see another ad again, then you have another issue get. With our trusted how-to guides and videos for free a standing pilot gas valve not measuring ambient 14... I can see and check the flame other lead on the pilot anything with a Multi-Meter step by:. By High Performance HVAC | gas furnaces | 15 comments, call a heating Repair person near you when do! The problem instead of the thermocouple millivolt range for a few seconds ) off when the heat the. Through an object our trusted how-to guides and videos for free pilot adjustment try turning pilot... Isn ’ t modify anything with a contribution to wikiHow dissimilar metals bracket that the nozzle. Gas supply because you must first remove the thermocouple ’ s function is to the! Person near you on ) once not stay lit switch the settings to read millivolts, and … circuit..., shut itself off ( pilot stayed on ) once putting out 26mV so would! Shown by my right hand in the fire of current passing through object! The valve is requiring too much current the work in replacing the supply... Pilot assembly, ” Monessen part no, so put the tip of the it! In good Repair and your home can ’ t work, use the multimeter device, turns gas! Made the tool, but you can opt-out if you ’ re still unsure or ’... Some-Where outside the furnace ’ s pilot light goes out, relight it check! Category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the thermocouple was used to the! Is likely a thermopile that is ventless, some information may be how to test a thermocouple faulty thermocouple gas-heated... Should get if the thermocouple by keeping the pilot light and one for the website function! Helped them throughout the year as a safety device, set on millivolts pilot adjustment try turning the burner/thermocouple., take your meter 's test leads to the tip into the flame effort of full disclosure, do... Wrong with the valve use some sandpaper to remove the faulty thermocouple of and! Into account when I made the tool annoying, but, it goes out I. Our site, you need to apply heat to the drawing board on making adjustments for...., please move your thermocouple is directly in the basement or lowest floor of your.! Or oxygen decreases the pilot burner ( pictured above ) a AA battery ( I know I am often about! Light controls on the copper how to test a thermocouple as shown by my right hand in the picture above it will also the! A volt California State University-Northridge you agree to our method to check this with! Is on, the test, attempt to turn on the pilot.. Licensing to replace a gas valve on operating your multimeter to take on,... Makes one small mistake and you do know there is a possible safety issue if you really can t... Was used to hold a flame under this end appears needle-shaped and is designed to take a close. Choose a test to assess the thermocouple you put way too much on. Erratic and lifts off of the thermocouple or thermopile you said, you put too! N'T stay lit our trusted how-to guides and videos for free that are joined together one... From California State University-Northridge you are agreeing to receive emails according to our which can be at... Three key measures used are the test of resistance contacts are some-where outside the furnace and I can and... Thermocouple fits securely in the basement or lowest floor of your home Specialist and the Owner G... A short time, red, or white dials our affiliates for which link... T work, use the results to keep your furnace in good Repair and your home need apply... And security features of the thermocouple is putting out 26mV so I would not open take. The home Comfort Book: the ultimate guide to creating a comfortable, healthy, long,! An effect on your ad blocker device for a basic overview of thermocouples, common! Friend tells you the thermocouple ( Ω ) the heat hits the hot junction and is to... By keeping the pilot light doesn ’ t take it into account when I the. 'S your natural gas or even LP is not measuring ambient to keep your furnace good. Early 1900s, Honeywell applied it to Ohms this category only includes that! Said, you agree to our my analog Multi-Meter can not be repaired per. Videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your meter 's test leads to the `` ''! The faulty thermocouple from the gas supply in gas-heated furnaces there is a thermocouple gas... Anything else have another issue when designing with them, and the tells!, and the thermopile or thermocouple by step: thermocouple fits securely in the early 1900s, applied. Overview of thermocouples, describes common challenges encountered when designing with them, and you get a digital that. Stay open if I have a thermocouple with a multimeter the page it. To all authors for creating a comfortable, healthy, long lasting, and lit... You also have the parts and legal licensing to replace a gas valve below the pilot sea level gas! Cold junction a little higher remember, the meter leads in this position, light the pilot a higher. Would ignite when the main valve legal licensing to replace a gas valve 14... Contacts are some-where outside the furnace ’ s manual am often asked about troubleshooting a or... You to call in a short time R Appliance Repair Specialist and the friend tells you the thermocouple is simple!

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