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A thermocouple is a safety device that when heated by the pilot light produces a small electoral current that holds the gas valve (to the pilot) open. Should for any reason the pilot light go out, gust of wind, service interruption , water splash....whatever. The thermocouple will cool off, stop producing current and the gas valve will close. For example, your water heater is in your basement. A strong wind blows down the stairs and blows out the pilot. Or a few inch's of water flood you basement over topping the pilot. With nothing to stop the flow of gas to the pilot light pan, gas would continue to flow unburned in to the room. Then any ignition source could cause a catastrophic explosion.
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoA thermocouple is a device that senses heat and passes an electrical signal to a controller.
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How do you change the thermocouple on a reliant 606 water heater?
$387.
How do you replace a thermocouple on a hot water heater with pictures?
There are many pictures of this on Google.
Where is the pilot located on the gas water heater?
Right below the thermocouple if applicable
How much is a hot water heater thermocouple cost?
$6 to $10 depending on where you are and where you get it from.
Hot water heater pilot wont light?
THERMOCOUPLE or defective gas valve
How much to replace thermocouple on water heater?
Usually less than 1 hour work, ( but nobody will bill one hour) Part costs less than $10 and any competent handyman can do it.
Will your gas water heater work during a power outage?
The only power used by a gas water heater is the small current generated by the thermocouple that keeps the gas valve open. It comes on mechanically when the water temperature drops. You don't need house current.
Does an electric heater do the opposite of a thermocouple?
In effect it does. Electricity applied to the heater produces heat. Heat applied to the thermocouple produces electricity.
Why does water heater pilot light go out when gas is turned on?
low back, spillage, or a bad thermocouple.
Cleaned orifice on hot water heater pilot still goes out?
Sounds like you need a thermocouple.
Why is the pilot light keep going out on your hot water heater?
Spillage excessive condensate bad thermocouple draft
How do you operate water heater is it gas or electirc or both?
It is one or the other. The thermocouple on a gas heater generates a very small current that keeps the gas valve open. A few micro volts. The thermocouple is the small tube that sits in the flame of the pilot light.
