A thermocouple is a security machine that shuts off the fuel provide to a water heater if the pilot mild goes out. In case you’re having hassle together with your water heater, one of many first issues you need to test is the thermocouple. This is methods to check a water heater thermocouple:
First, you may want to collect a number of instruments. You will want a multimeter, a pair of pliers, and a small screwdriver. After you have your instruments, you can begin the testing course of. First, flip off the fuel provide to the water heater. Then, take away the thermocouple from the water heater. Watch out to not harm the thermocouple once you take away it. After you have the thermocouple eliminated, you can begin testing it.
To check the thermocouple, you may want to make use of the multimeter. Set the multimeter to the millivolt setting. Then, contact the probes of the multimeter to the terminals of the thermocouple. If the thermocouple is working correctly, the multimeter will learn between 20 and 30 millivolts. If the thermocouple just isn’t working correctly, the multimeter will learn 0 millivolts. If the thermocouple just isn’t working correctly, you will have to interchange it.
The right way to Check a Water Heater Thermocouple
A thermocouple is a security machine that shuts off the fuel provide to a water heater if the pilot mild goes out. Over time, thermocouples can develop into defective and have to be changed. Listed here are the steps on methods to check a water heater thermocouple:
- Flip off the fuel provide to the water heater.
- Take away the thermocouple from the water heater. The thermocouple is often positioned close to the pilot mild.
- Join a voltmeter to the thermocouple. The voltmeter needs to be set to the millivolt scale.
- Maintain the thermocouple within the flame of a lighter or match. The voltmeter ought to learn between 20 and 30 millivolts.
- If the voltmeter doesn’t learn between 20 and 30 millivolts, the thermocouple is defective and must be changed.
Individuals Additionally Ask
What are the signs of a defective thermocouple?
The most typical symptom of a defective thermocouple is that the pilot mild won’t keep lit. Different signs embrace:
- The water heater won’t warmth up.
- The water heater will cycle on and off continuously.
- The water heater will produce a yellow or orange flame as a substitute of a blue flame.
How can I stop my thermocouple from failing?
There are some things you are able to do to forestall your thermocouple from failing:
- Hold the pilot mild clear. A unclean pilot mild could cause the thermocouple to overheat and fail.
- Don’t overtighten the thermocouple once you set up it. Overtightening can harm the thermocouple.
- Examine the thermocouple commonly for indicators of injury. In case you see any cracks or breaks within the thermocouple, it needs to be changed.
Can I change the thermocouple myself?
Sure, you possibly can change the thermocouple your self. Nevertheless, if you’re not comfy working with fuel home equipment, it’s best to name a professional technician.
