What Does A Thermopile Do

October 29, 2023 Post a Comment

What does a thermopile do

Thermopile is a an important device that converts thermal energy into electric energy. The purpose of a thermopile in a gas fireplace is to detect thermal radiation, for gas burner safety control.

Is a thermopile the same as a thermocouple?

The main difference between Thermocouple and Thermopile is their method of measurement. The thermocouple is a thermoelectric instrument, while the thermopile is an instrument that modifies thermal energy into electrical output.

Why does my fireplace have a thermocouple and a thermopile?

The thermocouple more or less acts like a sensor for gas flow and supplies gas to the pilot light through the gas valve. The thermopile, on the other hand, opens up the gas valve when the fireplaces are turned on.

How do I know if my thermopile is bad?

A healthy thermopile in an open circuit test will read between 650 to 850 millivolts or somewhere in between. If the open-circuit test reads below 400 millivolts, then the thermopile likely requires service or replacement.

How do I test my gas fireplace thermopile?

Make sure the unit on/off switch wall switch while thermostat or remote is in the off position to

Why does a thermopile fail?

If the thermopile does not generate the correct voltage, the heater may fail to provide you hot water. So, this is what the thermopile voltage low error means. The error means the thermocouples in the collection cannot generate enough current to power the control panel that we mentioned.

How much power does a thermopile produce?

Thermoelectric generators have been developed to harness some of this lost energy and produce up to 750W (about 1hp) of useful power. While these incredibly durable solid-state devices are useful, they tend to require high cost materials.

What voltage does a thermopile produce?

A thermopile is used for a standing pilot system and generally produces around 600-750 millivolts. This voltage is used by the gas valve to keep the pilot valve solenoid internal to the main gas open and also provides the voltage needed to run the gas valve and safeties.

How close should the thermocouple be to the pilot light?

When working properly in most gas appliances, the pilot flame should hit the upper 1/2 to 3/8 of the thermocouple.

Do all gas fireplaces have thermopile?

All gas fireplaces, except those with electric ignition, have a pilot to start the flame. The pilot will not work without a thermopile or thermocouple. There would be no light that ignites the burner.

What would cause a gas fireplace not to ignite?

One of the most common reasons a gas fireplace won't turn on is often an extinguished pilot light. A strong downdraft, an interruption in the fuel line, or a build-up of soot and dust can cause the pilot light to flame out.

How do I know if my thermocouple is bad on my gas fireplace?

Light the pilot and observe the quality and size of the flame. It should be mostly blue, burn steadily and be large enough to engulf the thermocouple probe. If it's yellow or orange, undersized and unsteady, the pilot tube is probably clogged, and it needs to be cleaned.

Can a thermopile be cleaned?

Yes, you can clean a thermocouple, but the task must be done with a light touch. Remove the thermocouple from the process assembly, using a steel wool or emery cloth, lightly clean the tip removing any build up.

Will a pilot light stay lit with a bad thermocouple?

The thermocouple is a safety device designed to shut off the gas valve if the pilot light goes out. Although, if your thermocouple is old, worn, damaged, wrongly positioned, or malfunctioning, it could be wrongly shutting off the gas valve as well as preventing your pilot light from staying lit.

How much does it cost to replace a thermopile?

The part is rather small and inexpensive, but replacing it requires the expertise of a professional plumber for safety reasons. Having a thermocouple replaced usually costs $125-200, while the part itself is about $15-25.

How long does a thermocouple last on a gas fireplace?

The thermocouple usually lasts for ten years. However, if it malfunctions, the pilot will not light, and the fireplace will not operate. As a result, a thermocouple is a crucial component in the operation of a fireplace.

Why does my pilot light go out when I release the pilot light knob?

If you're able to light the pilot light, but it goes out when you release the control knob, the thermocouple probably needs replacing. The thermocouple is a safety device that shuts off gas flow if it senses the pilot light is out, but when damaged it loses its regulatory ability.

How much does it cost to replace a thermocouple on a gas fireplace?

When replacing a thermocouple or thermopile with the help of a professional, you can expect to pay between $150 and $250.

How many millivolts does it take to open a gas valve?

Under load 550 is good. Alot of valves require min. 350mv to open burner.

Can a thermopile work intermittently?

In electrical circuits, the most unreliable points are electrical connections. So, if in a thermocouple circuit any of the connections suffer from corrosion or lack of intimate metal-to-metal contact, intermittent operation will result.