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I was deep-cleaning my Indesit gas-oven. I believe that the parts seen in pictures of that imgur-link are called "thermo-couples". One of them is for the grill, the other for the actual oven. They seem to be identical, though I'd appreciate if someone could confirm that.

One of them seems to be a little damaged, and I just have a couple of questions about it...

The close-up pictures labeled as "D" show the damaged one is a little frayed where its head meets its lead (both picures of "D" are just different angles of the same thing).

Also, the close-up picture labeled as "C" shows that the head of the damaged one is a little crooked.

Is this damaged thermo-couple still safe to use? I doubt I would be able to find anyone to repair it. If it isn't safe to use, then I could just not use the grill, and use the other one with the oven, so long as they are indeed indentical.

Transistor
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william
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1 Answers1

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Warning: I'm an electrical engineer and have no training in gas ovens.

I suspect that those thermocouples are part of the normal safety circuit rather than temperature control. gas oven safety circuit

Figure 1. Image source: Desired Creations.

  • To set the system the red button on the safety valve is pressed by hand and the pilot light is lit.
  • After a few seconds to allow the thermocouple to heat up the button can be released and the current from the thermocouple will hold the valve open by an electromagnet coil (a solenoid).
  • In the event that the pilot light goes out current will fall and the safety solenoid will release1, shutting off the gas to the oven.

In your case, a failure of the thermocouple by short-circuit or open-circuit would cause the gas to shut off.

Again, check this with someone who knows what they're talking about - but understanding the theory above should help you in your conversation.

1 The valves are designed for reliability but if the valve were to stick then this is a potential failure mode.

Transistor
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