Identify which gas valve system you have

by G&S Mechanical Services:

With emphasis on service and repair not replacement

    I get many inquires about problems with the pilots on gas furnaces. Unless you have a newer furnace with an electronic or electric ignition system you probably have a standing pilot. That is a system where the pilot is always burning and is used to light the main burner.

    There are two basic systems used with standing pilots, the first is the thermocouple system that uses two dissimilar metals to provide electricity to hold open the pilot valve on the gas valve, once you light the pilot. The main valve is operated by 24 volts from a transformer.  The second system is called a Milli Volt system. The pilot heats a larger device that generates a bit more electricity, enough to operate the main valve too. The theory is that if the pilot is not lit then the main burner won't work and you don't need a 24 volt transformer. This system is used a lot on Swimming pool heaters, mobile home and RV furnaces because they will work with out utility power. There is a neat floor furnace available that doesn't need any power.

    If you have problems with the pilot won't stay lit after you release the button or knob then replace the thermocouple. If you still can't get the flame to stay try another thermocouple then replace the gas valve (sorry there is nothing else that can be done).

If you have: You will have: You will not have:
"Standard standing pilot" with thermocouple. The gas valve is opened by 24 volts ac. pilot on all the time, thermocouple. Power required to open the gas valve. hsi, combustion blower (they exist), gas flowing if the pilot goes out.
"Millivolt system". meaning the gas valve is opened by the millivolt generator and not a transformer. Pilot on all the time , millivolt generator, millivolt gas valve.  hsi, combustion blower, possibly no transformer.
"Intermittent pilot", The pilot is lit by a spark then the main burner comes on after it senses the pilot. The gas valve has the designations PV PV/MV MV. A control box made by Honeywell, Robertshaw, or White Rodgers. A flame sensing rod, a high voltage lead.  A hsi ignitor. Probably not a combustion blower. 
A pilot that is lit all the time.
"Cycle Pilot" almost identical to "intermittent pilot" except uses a mercury flame sensor instead of a control module. Pilot relight module. Mercury flame sensor. Same gas valve as an Intermittent pilot system. Thermocouple.  Gas valve control module. Hsi Ignitor.
A pilot that is lit all the time.
"Carrier/Bryant Glow Coil" Lights the pilot with a glow coil and then the heat from the pilot switches power to the main valve. Mercury flame sensor or pilot switch. Glow coil that lights the pilot, same gas valve as intermittent pilot. Hsi, thermocouple, possibly no control module. 
A pilot that is lit all the time.
"General Electric Gas Furnace" with original gas valve. Gas to the pilot all the time, a pilot switch that sends power to the main valve when the pilot is detected. Anything to shut off the gas if the pilot goes out. Replace this this thing with a standard standing pilot valve.
Old furnace with a standing pilot A separate pilot tube connected to the gas pipe that supplies gas to the pilot. Just a solenoid type main valve, with a thermocouple operated safety. Anything to shut off the gas if the pilot goes out.
"Hot Surface Ignition" An ignitor heats up and 
s the gas. The flame is sensed through "flame rectification" Used on most modern furnaces. 		 Flame sensor rod that feeds either a control box or a proprietary control module. Combustion blower on a condensing furnace. Any kind of pilot at all.
Pilot tubing, gas valve with a pilot outlet.
"Direct Spark" Almost identical to HSI except you have a high voltage spark lighting the gas instead of  a hot element. Flame sensing rod, Gas valve with no pilot connection.
 The same stuff as hsi system above.		 The problems of failure that you have with hsi. These are used on roof top unit and other applications where servicing is difficult.


Standard standing pilot 24 volt gas valve. Notice the connection for pilot tubing on the left and thermocouple in the center closest to you. This is the most common
Image of standard standing pilot gas valve (4 inches wide). Notice pilot tube connection on left side of valve and thermocouple connection in center of valve. Only standing pilot systems have a pilot position on the valve knob (you must push to light the pilot).
If you have an electronic (intermittent pilot ) system The valve will have the designations MV MV/PV PV (main valve pilot valve and common) and no connection for a thermocouple. Hot surface ignition and direct spark valves will not have a pilot tube connection.		 Standard thermocouple for standing pilot system. Note the Milli-Volt Thermopile image below
Image of standard standing pilot thermocouple. Notice the connection on the end is the same as the connection on the gas valve to the left. This device is used on all standing pilot systems including water heaters and commercial gas equipment except Millivolt or some General Electric furnaces they have a special gas valve that has a pilot gas output but no thermocouple connection just a main valve (proven pilot). if you need to replace one of these turds, replace it with a standing pilot valve or an intermittent kit.

Image of Millivolt thermo-pile. Notice the Cabling and the lugs on the end of the wires make this guy unmistakable.
Image of Millivolt Thermo-pile, the wire ends give it away for sure. If you need to replace one of these my personal preference is to convert it to a standard standing pilot 24 volt system. Unless you have no AC power.

Newer furnaces will have intermittent pilot, hot surface ignition (HSI) or direct spark. The intermittent system uses a gray control box made by Honeywell, Robertshaw, Johnson controls, Fenwall, or White-Rodgers to spark the pilot and detect that it is lit, these boxes are very reliable but when they fail you are looking at at least $100 for the box. The biggest nuisance with electronic control modules for gas is that many times they don't just fail they act weird instead. A real problem
    Another system is called cycle pilot. The pilot is lit by a pilot re-light module and a mercury flame sensor allows the main valve to open. This same module can be added to a furnace that has a nuisance pilot that blows out frequently.
    Proven pilot has a mercury sensor in the flame to allow the main valve to open (used on general electric).
    Hot surface ignitor are being used more and more today. The major advantage is the controls are cheaper. They just need a flame sensor to detect the main burner and open the main valve. The problem with them is the ignitor burns out and you are cold until you can get another one. when they fail you can either replace the ignitor or convert the sensor board to direct spark. If the sensor board fails I would just convert it to single wire direct spark, that way you eliminate future problems with the ignitor (you need a different one for every brand of furnace). To test an ignitor connect a 120 volt bulb (about 25 watts) in its place or use a multi-meter. If you get 120 volts but the ignitor doesn't glow then it is bad. When replacing it be careful not to touch it with your fingers. Oil on you skin can shorten it's life.
    Standing pilot is the most reliable and fool proof but intermittent, HSI or direct spark is good for situations where lighting the pilot is a nuisance or property damage could result from a failure.
Picture of Hot Surface Ignitor (HSI). From Carrier furnace. This one is Burned out.
Image of hot surface ignition  (HSI). This one is broken.
It is a good idea to get a few of these and keep them near the furnace so when they burn out on the coldest day of the year when it is snowing you will have a spare.

<NEXT>Read about an intermittent pilot system with images and more gas burner stuff <NEXT>

 Read a shorter version with more links at the Other Gas Valve page.
 Read more that I have written on this subject at the freegas page
 and the question page .
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 Scott Meenen
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Written By:  Scott Meenen N3SJH of:
G&S MECHANICAL SERVICES.
Specializing in Mechanical, Controls and Electrical Modifications Of
Heating, Air conditioning, Refrigeration, Cold storage,
Ice Production and Food preservation.
Anything having to do with Heat and Energy.
Serving Maryland, DC, and Northern VA.

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                 This text written by: Scott Meenen

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