Kitchen Gas Appliances - FYI: Gas Appliance Parts Information...Page 2
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Sharp Advice
12-19-01, 05:31 AM
Gas Appliance Parts Information Continued:
Magneto Function:
By it's own very design, having a spring always attempting to force the disk onto the orifice and close off the gas supply, while at the same time an electromagnet is holding the disk open, it is an actual automatic fail safe safety system.
Magneto Locations:
Magnetos, built into the base of the temperature control units of tank type water heaters, can be replaced as an individual part. They are usually covered with a red plastic cap. Removing the cap will expose the threaded hex nut. The magneto can then be unscrewed out of the thermostats body and a replacement reinstalled.
Exception:
the above may not true with gas valves used on most other appliances. There are some gas valves used in certain types of appliances where the magneto is an internal part of the gas valves body and it is not a seperate nor replaceable part.
Thermocouple Function:
In order for a thermocouple to operate correctly, the tip of it must be exposed to an all blue pilot flame. A thermocouple produces current proportional to the amount of heat it receives. The hoter it is, the more current it produces, up to it's maximum voltage.
Pilot Generator Function:
A pilot generator also produces dc electrical current. The pilot generator part is inserted into a pilot assembly. The assembly is designed to allow flames to burn completely around the entire circumference of the pilot generators element.
Each flame exist on this circular assembly must be cleared of any restrictions to allow the flames to burn very hot. In doing so, the flames can burn all blue and correctly heat the generator. In doing so, the generator can produce it's maximum amount of dc electrical current.
Facts:
The thermocouple or pilot generator is the most likely part to fail in an appliance using either one of these parts. In the case of a thermocouple, a failure will cause a complete shut off of gas out of the gas valve. The pilot will go out and the appliance totally fails to operate.
In the case of a pilot generator, most often, depending upon how the appliance is designed to operate and how the specific safety device operates, the pilot will remain lighted but the appliance will fail to function. This happens when the generator isn't heated hot enough or the electrical producing current capacity is over loaded.
A thermocouple and a pilot generator are both subjected to wear from constantly being heated. Therefore, there electrical producing capacity deteriorates with time and age. On the positive side...:) both parts are one of the easiest and least expensive replacement parts to replace.
The only differences between thermocouples is their length. Be sure to purchase a replacement of the same length as the existing part. Replacements are available at all hardware stores. The package contains a various assortment of holding clips etc. and the package contains complete installation instructions and pictures.
The magneto is not likely to ever be a problem. However, if you correctly install a new themocouple, it is heated properly by the pilots flame and the appliances pilot still does not remain on, suspect the magneto head, as another possibly defective part.
A replacement magneto head is available at local appliance retail part stores and selected hardware stores in some areas. Closely follow all installation instructions and do not over tighten this part upon installation. Be sure the threads both on the part and those inside the gas valve body are cleaned. Do not apply oil or any other compounds on either of these threads. Metal to metal contact is important to the functioning in many applications.
Water Heater FYI's:
On some very older model gas appliances, a special type of thermocouple is used. It will have a device attached or built into the tubular extension, about mid way down the length of the metal lead. This device is one part of the "High Limit Temperature Safety Device." The other part is built into or attached to the appliance.
The part attached to or built into the thermocouples tubular lead will have two places to attach the wire leads coming from the gas control valve or from the high limit sensor. If the existing thermocouple has this type of safety device, purchase an exact duplicate thermocouple.
Both the thermocouple and the pilot generator perform the same basic functions. They each produce dc electrical current. Pilot generators simply produce more current then a T-Couple. Therefore they are able to operate larger appliance and one or more safety devices at the same time without becoming over loaded.
Pilot generators are made in three different element sizes. Each size produces a higher amount of current for it's intended purpose. Therefore, pilot generators are more versatile.
Pilot generators are most often found on decorative fireplace appliances, such as artifical decorative gas logs. They can also be used on gas valve controls used in wall mounted heaters, floor furnaces, pool and spa heaters, boilers, direct vent heaters, etc. Many older model forced air heating furnaces have pilot generators.
Cautionary notes to the above:
Do not attempt to install the standard type of thermocouple directly into a gas valve that already has a seperate internal temperature High Limit Safety Device.
Do not bypass nor remove the external safety device on the thermocouple.
Do not remove nor damage any external wires extending out of the control or the appliance safety unit.
Doing any of the above will bypass that much needed high limit safety device and the protection the safety device affords.
Sincerely,
Tom_Bart....Company Enterprises.....TCB4U2B2B
Energy Conservation Consultant &
Gas Appliance Diagnostics Technician.
Disclaimer:
All information provide above is offered as basic part descriptions, functions, purposes and solely for basic educational understanding purposes only. Information contained within this topic is not intended to be used as appliance parts problem diagnostics, repair instructions, etc.
Magneto Function:
By it's own very design, having a spring always attempting to force the disk onto the orifice and close off the gas supply, while at the same time an electromagnet is holding the disk open, it is an actual automatic fail safe safety system.
Magneto Locations:
Magnetos, built into the base of the temperature control units of tank type water heaters, can be replaced as an individual part. They are usually covered with a red plastic cap. Removing the cap will expose the threaded hex nut. The magneto can then be unscrewed out of the thermostats body and a replacement reinstalled.
Exception:
the above may not true with gas valves used on most other appliances. There are some gas valves used in certain types of appliances where the magneto is an internal part of the gas valves body and it is not a seperate nor replaceable part.
Thermocouple Function:
In order for a thermocouple to operate correctly, the tip of it must be exposed to an all blue pilot flame. A thermocouple produces current proportional to the amount of heat it receives. The hoter it is, the more current it produces, up to it's maximum voltage.
Pilot Generator Function:
A pilot generator also produces dc electrical current. The pilot generator part is inserted into a pilot assembly. The assembly is designed to allow flames to burn completely around the entire circumference of the pilot generators element.
Each flame exist on this circular assembly must be cleared of any restrictions to allow the flames to burn very hot. In doing so, the flames can burn all blue and correctly heat the generator. In doing so, the generator can produce it's maximum amount of dc electrical current.
Facts:
The thermocouple or pilot generator is the most likely part to fail in an appliance using either one of these parts. In the case of a thermocouple, a failure will cause a complete shut off of gas out of the gas valve. The pilot will go out and the appliance totally fails to operate.
In the case of a pilot generator, most often, depending upon how the appliance is designed to operate and how the specific safety device operates, the pilot will remain lighted but the appliance will fail to function. This happens when the generator isn't heated hot enough or the electrical producing current capacity is over loaded.
A thermocouple and a pilot generator are both subjected to wear from constantly being heated. Therefore, there electrical producing capacity deteriorates with time and age. On the positive side...:) both parts are one of the easiest and least expensive replacement parts to replace.
The only differences between thermocouples is their length. Be sure to purchase a replacement of the same length as the existing part. Replacements are available at all hardware stores. The package contains a various assortment of holding clips etc. and the package contains complete installation instructions and pictures.
The magneto is not likely to ever be a problem. However, if you correctly install a new themocouple, it is heated properly by the pilots flame and the appliances pilot still does not remain on, suspect the magneto head, as another possibly defective part.
A replacement magneto head is available at local appliance retail part stores and selected hardware stores in some areas. Closely follow all installation instructions and do not over tighten this part upon installation. Be sure the threads both on the part and those inside the gas valve body are cleaned. Do not apply oil or any other compounds on either of these threads. Metal to metal contact is important to the functioning in many applications.
Water Heater FYI's:
On some very older model gas appliances, a special type of thermocouple is used. It will have a device attached or built into the tubular extension, about mid way down the length of the metal lead. This device is one part of the "High Limit Temperature Safety Device." The other part is built into or attached to the appliance.
The part attached to or built into the thermocouples tubular lead will have two places to attach the wire leads coming from the gas control valve or from the high limit sensor. If the existing thermocouple has this type of safety device, purchase an exact duplicate thermocouple.
Both the thermocouple and the pilot generator perform the same basic functions. They each produce dc electrical current. Pilot generators simply produce more current then a T-Couple. Therefore they are able to operate larger appliance and one or more safety devices at the same time without becoming over loaded.
Pilot generators are made in three different element sizes. Each size produces a higher amount of current for it's intended purpose. Therefore, pilot generators are more versatile.
Pilot generators are most often found on decorative fireplace appliances, such as artifical decorative gas logs. They can also be used on gas valve controls used in wall mounted heaters, floor furnaces, pool and spa heaters, boilers, direct vent heaters, etc. Many older model forced air heating furnaces have pilot generators.
Cautionary notes to the above:
Do not attempt to install the standard type of thermocouple directly into a gas valve that already has a seperate internal temperature High Limit Safety Device.
Do not bypass nor remove the external safety device on the thermocouple.
Do not remove nor damage any external wires extending out of the control or the appliance safety unit.
Doing any of the above will bypass that much needed high limit safety device and the protection the safety device affords.
Sincerely,
Tom_Bart....Company Enterprises.....TCB4U2B2B
Energy Conservation Consultant &
Gas Appliance Diagnostics Technician.
Disclaimer:
All information provide above is offered as basic part descriptions, functions, purposes and solely for basic educational understanding purposes only. Information contained within this topic is not intended to be used as appliance parts problem diagnostics, repair instructions, etc.