Are water heater thermocouples universal?

Are water heater thermocouples universal?

Universal Thermocouples. Universal thermocouples, as the name implies work on most water heaters. They are available online and in home supply stores for a reasonable cost. The length and the thread type are the two concerns when purchasing one.

How do I know if my thermocouple is bad on my water heater?

A worn out thermocouple is one of the most common gas water heater problems. When thermocouples wear out, the pilot light goes out, the burner won’t light, and you will have no hot water.

What size thermocouple do I need?

Universal thermocouples come in lengths from 15 to 36 inches. An 18 or 24 inch will suffice for all residential water heaters using universal kits. Almost all older waters heaters and many of the newer style units with a sealed burner compartment and a viewing window will use this thermocouple.

Can you clean a thermocouple on a water heater?

You can use Emery cloth sandpaper to gently clean any debris or build-up from the end of the thermocouple. If present, you should also clean off any corrosion where the power wire connects to the thermocouple terminal. Be aware, you may need to detach the thermocouple from the burner assembly to clean it thoroughly.

Can I replace a thermocouple myself?

Burner assembly The No. 1 cause of pilot lights that won’t stay lit is a worn-out thermocouple. Rather than trying to unfasten the thermocouple inside the water heater’s burning chamber, it’s easier to remove the whole burner and thermocouple assembly.

How do I know what kind of thermocouple I need?

When selecting a thermocouple, the following items need to be considered: temperature range, reaction time, abrasion / vibration resistance, chemical resistance, calibrations, installation and compatibility. There are many types of thermocouples available in several different calibrations.

Will a pilot light stay lit with a bad thermocouple?

A thermocouple senses the heat of the pilot and allows gas to flow to the burner. A bad thermocouple will shut off gas to both the pilot and the burner so the pilot light won’t stay lit.

Are thermocouples interchangeable?

Commercial thermocouples are interchangeable, economical, and supplied with standard connectors. Unlike most other temperature measurement devices, external form of excitation is not required for thermocouples because they are self-powered.

How do I choose a thermocouple?

How to choose a Thermocouple

1. Determine the application where you will use the thermocouple sensor.
2. Determine the temperature ranges the probe will be exposed to.
3. Determine how important a fast response time is.
4. Consider any chemical, abrasion or vibration resistance.
5. Consider any installation requirements.

Does cleaning a thermocouple work?

The best way to clean your thermocouple is to use either a piece of steel wool or the coarse side of a sponge to gently clean off any soot or other remnants. You can use a pencil eraser to clean between the threads of the screw that connects the thermocouple to the control valve of your system.

How long does a thermocouple last on a water heater?

In effect, new thermocouples were installed into contaminated tubes, causing the degradation of the sensors and generating greater than a 100°F shift in accuracy. In this scenario, thermocouple life, which should have been close to one year, was shortened to within a week.

How much should a plumber charge to replace a thermocouple?

Thermocouple Replacement Cost Calling a professional plumber to install a new thermocouple should only be up to $150. If you do the work yourself, you will only pay the price of the part which is about $20.