Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim H
Part of the pilot light circuit is a safety for the main gas valve. If the flame detector, be it a thermocouple, infrared, etc. cannot sense a pilot flame it also cannot sense the main flame, and if it cannot sense the main flame, you run the risk of dumping gas through an orifice that does not burn. In essence, you allow a small gas leak.
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Agreed.
However, if the main burners are wide open without ignition, the gas leaking could probably be characterized as more than "small".
I've got a mild explosion out of a propane barbeque when the burners are open and the damn thing won't light off...........until it's good and ready.
I don't really see the risk with the infrared heater, however.........the gas cannot accumulate in any one place..........outdoors.........to present much of a risk. However, take the unit indoors and that's an entirely different discussion.