Heater check out list for heater failures
Almost all furnaces built after 1978 have intermittant type pilots.
Ca banned them requiring electronic spark or hot surface ignitors, followed by induced draft motors, pressure switches or centrifigal switches that "prove" a induced draft exists, allowing the pilot sequence to commence.
electronic spark type units have a high voltage low amperage spark that is AC. Fire rectifies electricity that passes through it meaning AC becomes DC ! Fire is a terrible conducter however as a result , the DC signal is only milliamps/volts signal strength. the DC prescence is proof a flame exists for pilot, and safe to commence to mainburners.
As long as pressure switches stay closed, safeties and limits stay closed
and the DC signal to the ignition module is not broken, the furnace will run.
The normal sequence of operation is upon a call for heat from the thermostat a 24 volt signal is sent to W white (heat circuit) at the low voltage terminal board on furnace.
from there depending on unit and age the heat circuit may include a circuit board, but it still has the typical limits and safetys reqired for operation
its just not using electromechanical relays to control fan and induced draft motor etc.
for the induced draft to begin ,all limits, safetys in heat circuit must be closed.
induced draft begins and a proving switch, either pressure or centrifigal close allowung the pilot to begin, a spark or hot surface ignitor is energized and a pilot flame established,modern types use flame rectification to prove a flame, older Carrier, Payne,types have a 3 wire switch in the piloyt assembly that is a bi metal that expands and contracts clicking open and shut, allowing pilot or main burners, depending if cold or hot.
pressure switches are attached with tubing to the induced draft wheel housing and sense pressure differential and close upon induced draft running, the orifices that the tube attaches to on induced draft housing often plugs or is restricted causing pressure switch to fail to close, or waver on open and close , open , close, .
if you can run the fan in the on postion , you have both high and low voltage to the furnace.
if you dont have fan control check power, breaker , fuses.
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