Kitchen Gas Appliances - FYI: Gas Appliance Parts Information...Page 1
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Sharp Advice
12-19-01, 05:28 AM
FYI: Gas Appliance Parts Information.
Basic Information.
Posting Date: 12-19-2001.
Topics Covered:
Thermocouples, Pilot Generators, Solenoids and Magnetos.
Terminologies, Descriptions, Locations, Purposes, Functions, Facts and Cautionary notes.
Topic Intention:
Beginners Basic Educational Informational Only.
Request: This posting is NOT a Topic For Open Disscussion.
PLEASE DO NOT POST ANY QUESTIONS and or REPLIES!
Suggestion:
Select "Show Printable Version"....Print and Save....:D
Part Terminologies.
The Thermocouple:
Often times the word thermocoupLER is accidentially interchanged with the word thermocouple. Thermocouple is the correct term. Often times you'll notice the word thermocouple referred to as a T-couple. T-couple is an acceptable industry term.
A Pilot Generator:
The pilot generator is often referred to as a PG. A pilot generator should not be confused with a thermocouple. They are not exactly the same part nor are they interchangeable either in wording nor in replacement of a defective part. Each has it's own charactoristics, differences and usages.
The Magneto:
The magneto and "Mag Head" both refer to the same part. A magneto is the part in which the thermocouple screws into. The magneto is screwed into the body of many gas valves. Some magnetos are replaceable as an individual componet within a gas valve. Some gas valves contain a built in but non replaceable megneto.
The Solenoids:
A solenoid is a tiny mechanical assembly of parts which is built into and contained within the gas valve. The number of solenoids used varies depending upon the functions of the appliance.
The solenoid and it's assembly of parts are non repairable items and the assembly of parts are non replaceable items. Except on gas dryers, the two solenoids are external componets, are replaceable but non repairable.
Part Descriptions.
The Thermocouple:
A thermocouple is an electrical part that is made up of very thin strips of dissimilar metals. The metal strips are called conductors. The metal strips are connected together internally and encased into the tubular end.
The Pilot Generator:
The PG looks similar to a thermocouple, except it's elements physical size is larger then that of a thermocouple. Unlike a thermocouple, the pilot generator has two wire leads attached to it's generator body.
The Magneto:
A magneto is a small electrical current using device. The magneto is made up of a tightly wound coil of wire. When the coil of wire becomes energized with the current produced by either a thermocouple or a pilot generator, it becomes an electromagnet.
The Solenoid:
A solenoid is made up of several parts. One of the parts is a small disk with a tiny hole in the center of it. Around the circumference of the disk and encircling a centered pin is a spring. The pin goes through the center of the tiny disk. The other end of the pin projects out of the control housing and has the reset button attached to it.
Part Locations.
Thermocouple:
A thermocouple has two ends. The element end, often referred to as a bulb, is located and secured within the pilot assembly. The pilot assembly is the part where you visually see the pilot flame. The other end of the thermocouple screws into the magneto.
The Pilot Generator:
The pilot generator also is contained into a pilot assembly. The assembly differs considerately from that used for a thermocouple. The assembly is larger and is usually attached directly on one of the burners, if there are more then one for that appliance.
Magneto:
The magneto usually screws directly into the body of the gas valve. Usually but not always. There are some older appliances that have external magnetos. Older appliances, especially furnaces, are often retrofitted with external Magnetos.
Some older model ovens come factory installed with an external magneto assembly. Adding an external mangeto safety device is often done on furnaces only when a replacement gas valve containing a built in magneto cannot be obtained.
Parts Purposes:
Thermocouple:
The thermocouples tubular element end is the part which the pilot flame heats. When a thermocouples element end is heated, it produces a small amount of DC electric current. About 1/4 volt. The current is used to energize the electromagnetic coil of wire within the mag head.
Magneto:
When the magneto coil is energized by the current produced from a heated thermocouple or pilot generator, the magnetos coil of wire becomes magnetized. The magnetism in the coil of wire, will hold open the tiny metal disk off the gas valves orifice. The unseated disk will continue to keep the gas valves orifice open and allow gas flow as long as current is supplied from the pilot generator and or thermocouple.
This entire assembly of parts, thermocouple and or pilot generator, magneto and solenoid contained within the gas valve, comprise what is commonly referred to as an ASO {Automatic Shut Off} safety system.
Basic Information.
Posting Date: 12-19-2001.
Topics Covered:
Thermocouples, Pilot Generators, Solenoids and Magnetos.
Terminologies, Descriptions, Locations, Purposes, Functions, Facts and Cautionary notes.
Topic Intention:
Beginners Basic Educational Informational Only.
Request: This posting is NOT a Topic For Open Disscussion.
PLEASE DO NOT POST ANY QUESTIONS and or REPLIES!
Suggestion:
Select "Show Printable Version"....Print and Save....:D
Part Terminologies.
The Thermocouple:
Often times the word thermocoupLER is accidentially interchanged with the word thermocouple. Thermocouple is the correct term. Often times you'll notice the word thermocouple referred to as a T-couple. T-couple is an acceptable industry term.
A Pilot Generator:
The pilot generator is often referred to as a PG. A pilot generator should not be confused with a thermocouple. They are not exactly the same part nor are they interchangeable either in wording nor in replacement of a defective part. Each has it's own charactoristics, differences and usages.
The Magneto:
The magneto and "Mag Head" both refer to the same part. A magneto is the part in which the thermocouple screws into. The magneto is screwed into the body of many gas valves. Some magnetos are replaceable as an individual componet within a gas valve. Some gas valves contain a built in but non replaceable megneto.
The Solenoids:
A solenoid is a tiny mechanical assembly of parts which is built into and contained within the gas valve. The number of solenoids used varies depending upon the functions of the appliance.
The solenoid and it's assembly of parts are non repairable items and the assembly of parts are non replaceable items. Except on gas dryers, the two solenoids are external componets, are replaceable but non repairable.
Part Descriptions.
The Thermocouple:
A thermocouple is an electrical part that is made up of very thin strips of dissimilar metals. The metal strips are called conductors. The metal strips are connected together internally and encased into the tubular end.
The Pilot Generator:
The PG looks similar to a thermocouple, except it's elements physical size is larger then that of a thermocouple. Unlike a thermocouple, the pilot generator has two wire leads attached to it's generator body.
The Magneto:
A magneto is a small electrical current using device. The magneto is made up of a tightly wound coil of wire. When the coil of wire becomes energized with the current produced by either a thermocouple or a pilot generator, it becomes an electromagnet.
The Solenoid:
A solenoid is made up of several parts. One of the parts is a small disk with a tiny hole in the center of it. Around the circumference of the disk and encircling a centered pin is a spring. The pin goes through the center of the tiny disk. The other end of the pin projects out of the control housing and has the reset button attached to it.
Part Locations.
Thermocouple:
A thermocouple has two ends. The element end, often referred to as a bulb, is located and secured within the pilot assembly. The pilot assembly is the part where you visually see the pilot flame. The other end of the thermocouple screws into the magneto.
The Pilot Generator:
The pilot generator also is contained into a pilot assembly. The assembly differs considerately from that used for a thermocouple. The assembly is larger and is usually attached directly on one of the burners, if there are more then one for that appliance.
Magneto:
The magneto usually screws directly into the body of the gas valve. Usually but not always. There are some older appliances that have external magnetos. Older appliances, especially furnaces, are often retrofitted with external Magnetos.
Some older model ovens come factory installed with an external magneto assembly. Adding an external mangeto safety device is often done on furnaces only when a replacement gas valve containing a built in magneto cannot be obtained.
Parts Purposes:
Thermocouple:
The thermocouples tubular element end is the part which the pilot flame heats. When a thermocouples element end is heated, it produces a small amount of DC electric current. About 1/4 volt. The current is used to energize the electromagnetic coil of wire within the mag head.
Magneto:
When the magneto coil is energized by the current produced from a heated thermocouple or pilot generator, the magnetos coil of wire becomes magnetized. The magnetism in the coil of wire, will hold open the tiny metal disk off the gas valves orifice. The unseated disk will continue to keep the gas valves orifice open and allow gas flow as long as current is supplied from the pilot generator and or thermocouple.
This entire assembly of parts, thermocouple and or pilot generator, magneto and solenoid contained within the gas valve, comprise what is commonly referred to as an ASO {Automatic Shut Off} safety system.