How to Install a Butt-Welded Thermocouple
Installing a butt-welded thermocouple in a water heater is necessary to keep the water heater working properly. The butt-welded thermocouple is very similar to other style of thermocouples and is designed to send an electronic signal to the ignitor to shut off the flow of gas if the pilot light has gone out or is not working properly. The butt-welded thermocouple can be installed in about 30 minutes with some basic tools. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Screwdriver
- Nut driver
- Needle-nose pliers
- Ignitor
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Instructions
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1
Shut off the gas supply to the water heater by turning the shut off valve on the gas line so the valve is running at a 90 degree angle to the line before attempting to install the butt-welded thermocouple. Flip the breaker switch for the water heater to the "off" position at the breaker box.
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2
Turn the gas control valve dial on the water heater to the "off" position and unfasten the screws that secure the cover plate onto the bottom of the water heater with a screwdriver. Remove the cover plate and disconnect the thermocouple assembly from the water heater with a nut driver.
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3
Slide the thermouple assembly out of the base of the water heater and disconnect the thermocouple from the assembly with the nut driver. Disconnect the retaining clip from the wire connector with needle-nose pliers and remove the thermocouple from the assembly.
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4
Attach the electrical wire of the new butt-welded thermocouple to the wire connector and fasten it to the assembly with the retaining clip. Connect the new thermocouple to the thermocouple assembly with the nut driver and slide the assembly into the base of the water heater.
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5
Secure the thermocouple assembly to the water heater with the nut driver and open the gas line at the shut off valve by turning the valve so it is running parallel to the gas line. Flip the breaker switch to the "on" position at the breaker box and set the gas control valve dial to the "pilot" setting.
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6
Hold the control valve dial down while lighting the pilot light with an ignitor and continue holding the dial down for 1 minute. Lift the control valve dial up slowly and turn the dial to "on."
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7
Secure the cover plate to the bottom of the water heater with the screwdriver.
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Tips & Warnings
To avoid electric shock, always turn off the circuit breaker to the hot water heater before attempting to install the butt-welded thermocouple.
