Technical Manual - Page 15
Cracked Ceramic Spark Electrode
Itʼs important to determine whether the spark electrode is faulty. Physical impacts and high heat
can cause the ceramic post to fracture or crack. If this occurs the spark can shoot through the
ceramic insulation and will normally go to ground on the burner head rather than through the fl ame
/burner spreader ring.
Faulty Burner Grounding
From the spark electrode / burner spreader ring to earth ground it is important that you have a
strong connection. This can be interrupted in many different ways.
Soiled spark electrode
Soiled burner spreader ring
Soiled burner head
Corrosion between the burner head and burner tube.
Normally this will appear as a brownish stain and can be easily cleaned with a small wire
brush.
Any of these conditions can interrupt current fl ow. We recommend frequent cleaning with a stiff
plastic or soft wire bristle brush using pure alcohol or a window cleaning solution that contains
alcohol. It is commonly thought that simple igniter cleaning
is enough, it is not. You have to clean all three conductive
components to ensure good continuity. A small amount of
grease or oil can act as an insulator and prevent the spark from
fl owing properly.
The burner head and burner tube connection has to be tight.
The fastening ring that holds them together has to be seated
properly in order for the two components to properly pass
electrical current.
Poor house ground
If you have thoroughly diagnosed the spark system and continue to have erratic sparking do not
dismiss the home ground as the culprit. Many older homes that are being remodeled do not have
adequate ground systems in place to handle todayʼs demands. A quick diagnostic tool is a 20-foot
piece of 16-gauge wire with alligator clips on each end. This can be used a temporary {jumper}
to a known ground source. If the problem is eliminated when you connect the {jumper} you have
to suspect the home ground as the culprit. When tested, the Neutral and ground should share
less than 20 volts.
Erratic Sparking
It is common to fi nd one or a series of burners that will only spark occasionally. As with the
previously described scenarios check all possible ground faults. This is the number one cause of
erratic sparking, not spark modules as is more commonly thought. If you have made certain that
you have a strong fl ame current / fl ame placement / solid ground; replace spark module.
Burner Fastening Ring
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