Are water heater thermocouples universal?
Are water heater thermocouples universal?
A thermocouple uses two types of metal to create an electrical current that the gas valve can sense. From an operational perspective the thermocouples for a water heater are all pretty much the same. However, there are two variables, the length and the fittings used to install them, see below.
How do you know if your water heater thermocouple is bad?
A worn out thermocouple is one of the most common gas water heater problems. When thermocouples wear out, the pilot light goes out, the burner won’t light, and you will have no hot water.
How much does it cost to replace a thermocouple on a water heater?
The cost to replace the thermocouple on a water heater is $100 to $325. The thermocouple detects whether the pilot light is lit and signals the gas control valve to turn on the gas flow. Thermocouple replacement is the most common repair needed for gas tank water heaters.
How do I choose a thermocouple?
How to choose a Thermocouple
- Determine the application where you will use the thermocouple sensor.
- Determine the temperature ranges the probe will be exposed to.
- Determine how important a fast response time is.
- Consider any chemical, abrasion or vibration resistance.
- Consider any installation requirements.
How long should a water heater thermocouple last?
In effect, new thermocouples were installed into contaminated tubes, causing the degradation of the sensors and generating greater than a 100°F shift in accuracy. In this scenario, thermocouple life, which should have been close to one year, was shortened to within a week.
What causes a thermocouple to go bad?
The presence of oxygen causes a reaction in the thermocouple that can wear down the part and make the wires become thinner and more brittle. Oxidation can be caused by a small amount of oxygen making its way into a sealed environment and reacting with the pure metal of the thermocouple.
How much does a plumber charge to replace a thermocouple?
Calling a professional plumber to install a new thermocouple should only be up to $150. If you do the work yourself, you will only pay the price of the part which is about $20. The thermocouple is responsible for sensing that the pilot light is lit and triggering the gas control valve to continue providing gas.
Can you bypass a thermocouple on a water heater?
Realistically, you have just disabled the thermocouple, but you can also reach in and unclip it from its holding bracket where it meets the pilot light. In most cases it will be held on with a gravity clip, but some are held on with a screw that must be removed with a small screwdriver.
Which thermocouple is best?
Type N – Nicrosil-Nisil: This thermocouple has very good thermoelectric stability, which is superior to other base metal thermocouples and has excellent resistance to high temperature oxidation. The Nicrosil-Nisil thermocouple is ideally suited for accurate measurements in air up to 1200°C.
What does the thermocouple do on my water heater?
The thermocouple is part of the pilot burner assembly and connects to the gas control valve on the outside of the water heater. It is a simple device that converts the heat from a burning flame into a small electrical current , allowing it to work like a switch to control the flow of gas from the gas supply valve .
Do all water heaters have a thermocouple?
Not all gas water heaters have a thermocouple. Some newer models have an advanced temperature control system. Essentially, it is a microprocessor that constantly monitors and controls burner operation and maintains consistent and accurate water temperature levels.
How do you replace thermocouple on hot water tank?
To change the thermocouple on a hot water tank you remove the whole burner assembly. Turn off manual gas valve to water heater on gas pipe. On the bottom of the gas valve that is mounted on the water tank, undo the thermocouple nut and gas piping nut that goes to the burner assembly.
Where is the thermocouple on a gas water heater?
The thermocouple on a gas water heater is inside the burner assembly, next to the pilot tube.
