Gas Fireplace Thermocouple Vs Thermopile

Cleaning the thermocouple is a pretty simple process but should only be done when the fireplace is turned off and is completely cool.

Gas fireplace thermocouple vs thermopile.

Gas fireplaces and fireplace inserts use thermocouples and thermopiles primarily to generate electricity. 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. Thermopile a thermopile is an electronic device that converts thermal energy into electrical energy.

This entry was posted in diy and tagged diy gas fireplace gas valve pilot light thermocouple thermopile won t light on october 21 2012 by steve jenkins updated 2117 days ago disclaimer as with all my diy posts anything you decide to do as a result of reading this post you do so at your own risk. 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. 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. Thermocouples on heating appliances.

The thermocouple on your gas fireplace is a heat sensitive device that keeps the pilot gas tube open while the pilot is lit. This article explains what a thermocouple or thermopile is how these devices work where they are installed and what goes wrong with thermocouples. As the heat reaches the second junction of the thermocouple it generates electrical voltage. 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.

We describe how to find the thermocouple if one is used on your heater and how the thermocouple is replaced. Thermocouple fireplace by will gish.