Furnace Pilot Light Thermocouple

This rod is connected to your furnace s gas valve.

Furnace pilot light thermocouple.

Depress the button or knob for about 30 seconds. A thermocouple is a safety device that helps control the gas supply in gas heated furnaces. This maintains gas flow to the pilot until the thermocouple gets hot enough to open the main gas valve. It contains a metal rod that is placed very close to your pilot light s flame.

This is all done as a safety feature so there are no gas leaks. When your pilot light is lit the heat from the flame sends a voltage through the thermocouple that keeps the gas line open. The thermocouple detects the pilot light as it can sense the heat the pilot light creates. 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.

The thermocouple is a gas furnace component located near the pilot light burner. Newer gas appliances have igniters that start the pilot light as needed. A thermocouple is a safety device that s used to detect whether or not your furnace s pilot light is lit. If you re having trouble locating the pilot or thermocouple double check to make sure your unit actually has a standing pilot light.

The function of the thermocouple in your gas furnace is to check to see if the pilot light is on or off. For a basic test attempt to turn on the pilot light again. If you re still unsure or don t have a working pilot light test the thermocouple with a multimeter. If your furnace pilot light won t stay lit then it might be an easy fix.

It is a safety device that shuts off the gas if the pilot light goes out or the electric igniter fails. If the pilot light goes out the thermocouple will lose its voltage and the gas line to your furnace will be closed. When the thermocouple detects the pilot light is off it will shut down the gas flow. Light the standing pilot.

When it stops working the furnace s pilot light also turns off. Standing pilot lights are common in older furnaces but many newer furnaces have intermittent pilot lights or hot surface igniters. If the pilot light won t stay lit the thermocouple may be faulty and should be adjusted or replaced.