Gas Heater Pilot Light Keeps Going Out

The number one reason why the pilot light keeps going out is the thermocouple.

Gas heater pilot light keeps going out.

The pilot tube supplies gas to the pilot light for combustion. Hold it down for at least 30 seconds in order for the thermocouple to get warmed up. Thermocouples work by producing a small amount of voltage when it is heated. The thermocouple is the copper rod the pilot flame directly hits.

Repair technicians will need to replace the thermocouple. This is the pilot flame that provides the heat. But if the thermocouple has a fault it may think the pilot light is out when it isn t and shut off the gas which will in turn cause the pilot light to go out. If you have a natural or propane gas water heater chances are the pilot has gone out.

Sometimes it s referred to as the flame sensor it s a safety mechanism that shuts the gas off should the pilot go out. When the water heater pilot light goes out first try relighting it following the directions on the water heater label. Thorough cleaning should do the trick. To find out if you need a new one turn the gas valve to pilot and then depress the override button.

But if the orifice is dirty or restricted the pilot light won t light properly. When the pilot light goes out the loss of current shuts the valve and stops gas flow. Gas heaters whether they warm up air or water in a home rely on a pilot light to trigger the flame of the actual heater. The thermocouple also contains wiring that goes to the gas valve and makes electricity to light the pilot.

Either the thermocouple is going bad or it is dirty and needs to be cleaned. Which means the thermocouple will shut off the gas flow to your furnace as a safety measure. Sometimes the tube might be partially clogged and supplying very little gas for combustion no wonder your pilot light keeps going out. The flame will go out if the tube is clogged with dirt or debris.

The water heater pilot light is a small flame that ignites the gas burner on your water heater.