Gas stove thermocouple

Many gas stoves are equipped with an electric ignition system. To control the flame of a gas stove, there is a special device - a thermocouple.

Thanks to the thermocouple, the gas supply stops if suddenly the flame on the gas burner goes out. The thermocouple is installed not only on gas stoves, but also on other gas devices, such as boilers. This device is used not only for domestic purposes, but also in the energy industry, in the field of gas and oil production; it is also often used by pharmacists and biotechnologists.

The principle of operation of this device is that it can measure the temperature of the device in which it is installed. The principle of operation is a sensor that detects whether the burner has gone out or is still working.

A universal thermocouple has several components.

1. The base of the device consists of completely different types of metal, they are connected by soldering. Metals can be of two types, such pairs are often used as alloys of chromel and constantan, iron and constantan, aluminum and chromel, nichrosil and nisil, as well as copper and constantan. It is worth noting that the simplest and cheapest metals are used for the gas stove - these are aluminum and chrome.
2. The device has a screen with digital symbols, in case of temperature change, it receives indicators in the form of numbers.
3. The device has the power to open the solenoid valve when needed.
4. The electric current that comes from the device prevents the solenoid valve from closing. This provides an opportunity to stop the gas supply to the equipment if the flame has gone out.

In addition, there are two types of thermocouple sensor.

1. The sensor can be grounded. This is the most common type of device. It is produced by welding two metal ends, thus forming a common unit, at the end it has a special rod. This type of device responds very quickly. The fact is that the sleeve device is in direct contact with the outer shell. Despite most of the advantages, a device of this type has one disadvantage - it is the increased sensitivity of the device. If electrical interference occurs, the device immediately responds to it.
2. The thermocouple can also be ungrounded. In this case, the two metal ends are also welded, but they are not joined together. An example of such a device is a multimeter with a thermocouple. The advantage of this type of device is that it is not as sensitive as the first type, because it is equipped with a special cover - mineral insulation separating the two elements of the device.

Many foreign-made gas stoves have a thermocouple component such as a gas control sensor. This device is often naughty and shuts off the gas supply when it is completely inappropriate. For example, if a little water gets on the gas stove or there is a draft in the kitchen, the sensor will work and cut off the gas supply. A thermocouple in a gas stove is installed near the gas burners and in the oven.

First you need to determine what is the reason for the poor performance of the sensor. It may either not work at all, or work intermittently, turn off the gas supply for no reason.

Sometimes the thermocouple only needs to be fixed or the dirt removed.To clean the thermocouple, take a piece of sandpaper and run a few times under the flame splitter structure.

There are two simple ways to check if your sensor needs cleaning.

1. Press the button and trigger the electric ignition. If the burner is on, but as soon as you release the button, it goes out, then the contacts do not work. They need to be cleaned or corrected.
2. After you lit the burner and released your hand, after a few seconds the flame went out - you need to check the contacts.

Only a specialist should replace the device, as it is very dangerous. If the mount is leaking, then any breakdown of the device will spark, which will cause the gas stove to explode. To avoid a fire in your home, do not replace the thermocouple yourself, but ask a specialist to do it.

To replace the device, you will need to buy a new thermocouple from a specialist retailer. When choosing this device, choose only a high-quality device that will serve you for many years. Before buying a new appliance, consult with a specialist who will advise exactly the sensor that is right for your gas stove or column.

Replacing a thermocouple sensor on a gas boiler is a little more complicated. In a gas boiler, a thermocouple made of chromium and aluminum or chromel and copel is most often used, less often an iron constant is used. All these metals are designed for high temperature conditions, such sensors are often used in the foundry industry.

The gas boiler control system includes a solenoid valve and a thermocouple.

To replace a device, you need to follow a series of sequential steps.

1. Using a wrench, unscrew the nuts that secure the thermocouple to the solenoid valve, then you need to get one of the ends of the thermocouple.
2. Inspect the connectors. If they have various contamination or oxidation, they must be cleaned. To do this, you need fine-grained sandpaper.
3. Check the thermocouple sensor with a multimeter. To do this, attach one of the metal ends of the device to a multimeter, and heat the other with a lighter or burner. The multimeter reading should be within 50 mV.
4. After that, if the indicator matches the data, you need to collect it in the same sequence. If not, then most likely it will have to be replaced.

Replacing a thermocouple in a gas stove oven is done differently. First you need to remove the cover of the gas stove, it is on the opposite side from the one where the oven tap handle is located.

Remove the cap, but first clean it with sandpaper. If the terminal is removed, the cap rotates freely. When you see the center valve, check it. If it is defective, it must be replaced. Remove the terminal by pulling it down with your fingers. Remove the cap and close the valve on the gas riser, now you can connect the burner and check the operation of the device.

After that, using a wrench, unscrew the nut and diagnose. Check valve and thermocouple separately.

The safety of your home is a serviceable thermocouple sensor. The thermocouple must be checked and adjusted several times a year. To do this, invite a wizard who will make a safe and accurate analysis of the device.

When checking the thermocouple readings, consider the measurement quality of the device itself by systematically checking its operation.

The reasons for the incorrect operation of the thermocouple:

• incorrect soldering of two metal rods;
• presence of electrical noise;
• you smell gas, there is a leak;
• thermoelectricity is heterogeneous.

To resolve these issues, during device installation, you should:

• choose a thermocouple with thick and large wire;
• avoid temperature drop;
• prevent tension and vibrations of the metal wire;
• use a sensor that has an operating temperature spread.

You need to check the health of the thermocouple by following the step-by-step instructions.

1. The thermocouple has two ends. When checking, one of them must be heated with a flame from the igniter, and the second must be fastened with a nut to the thread of the valve (electromagnetic).
2. The next step is to separate it from the boiler. Then you need to provide a stable flame. A gas burner is also used for this purpose. But experts advise using a candle flame.
3. The tip of the device is immersed in the flame and should be approximately 1 cm above the flame. Here you need to remember that the fire heats the device to almost half, so it is better to hold it by the tip.
4. Next, a tester is used that determines the millivolts. It is connected to the output contact and to the body of the thermocouple itself.
5. If the thermocouple is working properly, then 30 seconds after heating the result will be from 17 to 25 mV. But if this indicator does not exceed the minimum threshold, then this means that it is faulty.

You can find out how to replace a thermocouple on a gas stove below.