04-20-2009, 08:38 AM
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Deity
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Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Saint Regis Falls, NY, USA.
Posts: 4,980
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Thanked 102 Times in 102 Posts
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the thermocouple generates a millivolt voltage that is applied to the pilot valve inside the main valve. there is a tiny electro magnet that holds the pilot valve spool open when it's energized. if you ever saw a hot water heater where you have to hold a button "down" for three minutes, this is a case where the thermocouple needs to heat up and generate a voltage for the pilot valve.
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