Gas Fireplace Thermocouple Vs Thermopile

The thermocouple on your gas fireplace is a heat sensitive device that keeps the pilot gas tube open while the pilot is lit.

Gas fireplace thermocouple vs thermopile.

Thermocouples are also used in homes offices and businesses as the temperature sensors in thermostats and also as flame sensors in safety devices for gas powered appliances. Cleaning the thermocouple is a pretty simple process but should only be done when the fireplace is turned off and is completely cool. We describe how to find the thermocouple if one is used on your heater and how the thermocouple is replaced. As the heat reaches the second junction of the thermocouple it generates electrical voltage.

Thermopile a thermopile is an electronic device that converts thermal energy into electrical energy. In heating systems a thermocouple is one junction of metals that when heated by a pilot flame generates approximately 25 mv and holds open an electromagnetic valve to allow gas to pass as long as there is a pilot. Gas fireplaces and fireplace inserts use thermocouples and thermopiles primarily to generate electricity. Thermocouple fireplace by will gish.

Thermocouples on heating appliances. This article describes thermocouples safety devices used on gas fired heating equipment. A second valve in the valve train. The thermocouple on a gas fireplace may eventually become clogged with dirt and soot which can reduce the effectiveness of the thermocouple and may eventually prevent the fireplace from lighting as expected.

When turned on the pilot in a gas stove generates heat which travels through a thermocouple. It does this by generating a small electric current on the order of.