If the fire or pilot light ever goes out on the thermocouple it stops producing this small amount of current.
Water heater automatic pilot light.
While holding the gas knob or button down light the pilot.
Occasionally a standing pilot light will need to be relighted or a thermocouple will need to be replaced.
You ll want to turn the knob past pilot to the off position.
If your heater has a built in piezo electric spark pilot igniter look for a red or.
If you have a new style water tank with a built in ignition switch press this button.
A small heat sensing device known as a thermocouple makes sure gas flow is delivered to the main furnace burners only when it is warmed by the pilot light.
The water heater pilot light is a small flame that ignites the gas burner on your water heater.
The most common reason for this problem is because the pilot light is not on.
Unlike older pilot lights which have to be lighted by hand automatic pilot lights now commonly found in most home furnaces are regulated by a thermostat and only ignite when needed.
But these are easy and infrequent repairs.
While older pilots burned constantly wasting gas automatic pilot lights come on long enough to ignite the gas supply and then shut off.
You should hear a clicking noise until the pilot burner lights.
How to light an automatic water heater the first step is turning off the gas by first looking for the knob labeled on off pilot.
While holding down the pilot gas valve or the red button with one hand you will use your other hand to quickly light the pilot.
That keeps a solenoid in the gas valve open via a pilot light that stays lit 24 7.
When your furnace fails to ignite the first place to look is the pilot light.
When heat is applied to a thermocouple or thermopile they produce a very small amount of electrical current.
The flame keeps the thermocouple or thermopile hot.
Amazon does sell replacement parts if needed http amzn to 2etlvlf the instructions are written in the unit but sometimes it s just nice to watch it being.
Depending on the model of water heater you have you may have a red or black igniting button or you may need to light it manually with a long lighter.