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.
To replace the thermocouple on a gas water heater, first turn off the gas supply and water heater. Locate the thermocouple near the pilot light and unscrew it from the control valve. Install the new thermocouple by screwing it into place and reassemble the water heater. Finally, turn the gas supply and water heater back on to test the new thermocouple.
To replace a Honeywell water heater thermocouple, first turn off the gas supply and water heater. Remove the access panel and locate the thermocouple. Disconnect the old thermocouple and install the new one in the same position. Reassemble the access panel and turn on the gas supply and water heater to test the new thermocouple.
To test a thermocouple on a water heater, you can use a multimeter to measure the voltage output. Disconnect the thermocouple from the control unit and place the multimeter probes on the thermocouple terminals. A functioning thermocouple should produce a voltage reading within the expected range. If the reading is outside this range, the thermocouple may need to be replaced.
To change the thermocouple on a Reliant 606 water heater, you will first need to turn off the gas supply and water heater. Remove the access panel, locate the thermocouple, unscrew it from the control valve, and disconnect it from the pilot assembly. Install the new thermocouple by reversing these steps, making sure it is properly positioned and secured.
To troubleshoot and replace a faulty thermocouple in a State Select water heater, follow these steps: Turn off the gas supply to the water heater. Locate the thermocouple near the pilot light assembly. Disconnect the thermocouple from the control valve. Remove the old thermocouple from the pilot assembly. Install the new thermocouple in the same position. Reconnect the thermocouple to the control valve. Turn on the gas supply and relight the pilot light. Test the water heater to ensure it is functioning properly. If you encounter any difficulties or are unsure about any step, consult a professional plumber for assistance.
To test a water heater thermocouple, you can use a multimeter to check for continuity. Disconnect the thermocouple from the control valve and set the multimeter to the resistance setting. Touch one probe to the tip of the thermocouple and the other probe to the base. If the multimeter shows a reading of around 25-35 millivolts, the thermocouple is functioning properly.
Right below the thermocouple if applicable
$6 to $10 depending on where you are and where you get it from.
There are many pictures of this on Google.
THERMOCOUPLE or defective gas valve
The water heater pilot can go out due to issues such as a faulty thermocouple, a dirty pilot light, or a lack of gas supply.
The water heater pilot light may not stay lit after replacing the thermocouple due to issues such as a faulty thermocouple installation, gas supply problems, or a dirty pilot light. It is important to ensure proper installation and maintenance to resolve the issue.