How To Replace Thermocouple On Water Heater

If your gas water heater'due south pilot low-cal won't stay lit, in that location's a very skillful take a chance you need a water heater thermocouple replacement.

I'chiliad going to tell you what a thermocouple is, what it does, the signs that information technology has gone bad, and how to replace it. Allow's become started.

What is a Water Heater Thermocouple?

A water heater thermocouple is a sensor that turns off the gas supply when the airplane pilot lite goes out. This operational and rubber feature is also known as a flame or heat sensor and its function is to control the menstruation of gas into the burner.

water heater thermocouple replacement - diagram how it works and parts — The central parts of the thermocouple are in this diagram. To work properly, the thermocouple should barely touch the flame from the pilot light. That's why they are located so close to each other. To pull out the old thermocouple, you lot'll need to loosen the bracket nut equally shown.

How Practise You Know if Your H2o Heater Thermocouple is Bad?

A bad thermocouple is the most mutual reason for a h2o heater pilot light that won't stay lit. And it'southward not unusual for it to wear out.

Ironically, this happens sometimes due to the very nature of the device: the constant change in temperature results in a worn-out or "stressed" thermocouple. It can besides malfunction when residue or soot buildup causes the flame to be blocked.

A bad thermocouple can result from the post-obit:

A aptitude thermocouple: If the flame isn't slightly touching the thermocouple, it could be bent or misaligned. Simply curve it toward the pilot.
A dirty thermocouple: As noted above, soot or other residue can prevent it from working. To solve this problem, remove the thermocouple and clean information technology off. Caution: Always plough off the gas valve before you lot remove a thermocouple.
A broken thermocouple: This can event from wearing out. If electricity does not run through the thermocouple, it'southward cleaved. To test this, use a multimeter. If the voltage is less than 20MV, information technology is damaged and needs to be replaced. Read below for instructions on how to do that.

water heater thermocouple replacement - cleaning — A muddied thermocouple can exist cleaned. Only be gentle when cleaning. If this works, you won't have to supercede information technology.

Water Heater Thermocouple Replacement: Instructions

i. Disconnect the Erstwhile Thermocouple

Turn the gas control knob to OFF and close the gas shutoff valve.
With an open-finish wrench, loosen the nut that secures the water heater thermocouple to the control unit of measurement, then unscrew it.
Pull downwardly on the copper lead to disassemble the end of the thermocouple from the command unit.
At that place may exist a second nut attaching the thermocouple tip to the pilot subclass; unscrew it and slide it back along the copper lead.
Grip the base of the thermocouple and pull firmly, sliding it out of the pilot bracket.

water heater thermocouple replacement - shut off gas — Earlier you do anything else, plough the gas control knob to the OFF position.

2. Install the New Thermocouple

Buy an exact replacement for the old thermocouple from a plumbing supply center that carries your make or the plumber who installed your h2o heater.
Push the tip of the new thermocouple into the pilot bracket prune as far as information technology will go.
If in that location is a hexagonal nut at its tip, screw information technology to the bracket.
Run the lead out and bend it up into a gentle bend.
Screw the nut on the end of the thermocouple to the control unit of measurement by manus, then give it a quarter-turn with an open up-end wrench.
Relight the pilot (instructions for relighting a pilot on all major brands is here).
If it does non stay lit, close the gas shutoff valve, and call for service.

Terminal Thoughts

A gas water heater thermocouple replacement is a project y'all tin do yourself. Just it is of import that you follow the rubber rules: (1) turn off the gas is priority number 1, and (2) don't touch the thermocouple until it has cooled down.

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Telephone call 1-Tom-Plumber

Don't hesitate to contact us here or call us at one-Tom-Plumber (1-866-758-6237) if you need assistance safely maintaining, repairing, or replacing your gas water heater.

1-Tom-Plumber'southward certified team of plumbers and bleed technicians respond immediately to any emergency plumbing, drain cleaning, or water damage problem. We also handle the excavation of surreptitious water lines and sewer main lines. Our immediate-response team is available every twenty-four hours and night of the year, even on holidays.