Intermittent Pilot Light, or IPI, will turn your pilot light on when the gas turns on to ignite your fireplace. These systems also come with a Continuous Pilot Light, or CPI, mode. CPI and Millivolt work in essentially the same way. Your pilot light remains on.
What is the difference between millivolt and IPI?
The difference between the IPI compared to the Milivolt system is that a Milivolt has a pilot light that stays on 24/7. The IPI system does not use a pilot light and instead relies on an electronic ignition switch to light the pilot after flipping on the wall switch or using the remote.
What is the difference between IPI and CPI?
IPI (Intermittent Pilot Ignition) is when the pilot light is only lit when the control board gets the call for heat, either from a thermostat or from someone flipping a switch. CPI (Continuous Pilot Ignition) is when the pilot is lit constantly.
What does IPI mean on fireplace remote?
IPI (Intermittent Pilot Ignition) – This is also sometimes referred to as “Electronic Ignition” Your pilot light is not on all the time. CPI (Continuous Pilot Ignition) – Your pilot light (blue flame down by your logs or alternate media) will be on all of the time.How does an IPI fireplace work?
An electronic igniter uses a small amount of electricity to spark the pilot light. A sensor detects an active pilot flame. If all is good, the main burner valve opens, allowing gas to flow through to the main burners. The pilot light ignites the flame on the main burners.
Can you manually light a gas fireplace with electronic ignition?
It’s easy to know how to turn on a gas fireplace with an electronic ignition wall switch. Many gas fireplaces come equipped with a wall switch control panel for activating the unit and adjusting the level of the flame. Simply push the “On” button and the pilot should ignite.
What does millivolt ignition mean?
Millivolt ignition systems use a standing pilot light. This type of ignition system does not require any external power. … The pilot light can be turned off for extended periods of non-use and them re-ignited when needed. Millivolt are the most common ignition type on the market.
Do electric fireplaces have a pilot light?
Electronic ignition fireplaces rely on battery backup or electricity to operate. With these units, you will not see a pilot flame unless the fireplace is in use.What is a standing pilot?
standing pilot is that the first one only turns on when it calls for heat. This type of system is usually found in newly-manufactured furnaces. It comes in two types: hot surface and intermittent ignition.
Should the pilot light stay on in a gas fireplace?We recommend that you turn off your gas fireplace pilot light seasonally. Turning off your gas fireplace’s pilot light can save a substantial amount of energy and money. It is important to remember that not all gas fireplaces have “standing” pilot light, or, a pilot light that is “always on”.
Article first time published onCan I leave the pilot light on my gas fireplace?
Leaving the gas on keeps this compound moving out of the tubes. Keeping the pilot light on will also keep moisture out of the unit and in turn, help prevent corrosion. … As you can see, it’s probably best in most cases to extinguish the pilot light in your gas fireplace during the months when you don’t need heat.
What is continuous pilot?
A standing pilot is the standard ignition device for most natural gas burning heating systems, and has been for many years. It’s a continuously burning flame at the bottom of the heater, responsible for starting the burners that actually generate heat for the home.
What is pilot mode on gas fireplace?
Intermittent Pilot Ignition (IPI) mode means that the pilot light will light and extinguish each time the unit is used, the ignition system will first ignite the pilot light before opening the gas valve to the main burner and igniting the fireplace.
How does a millivolt system work?
The most common type of gas fireplace uses a millivolt ignition system. The piezo ignitor is usually connected to a button that generates a spark when depressed. … The thermocouple generates about 20-30 millivolts, enough electricity to keep the part of the gas valve that controls gas flow to the pilot assembly open.
How many millivolts does a thermopile produce?
A healthy thermopile in an open circuit test will read between 650 to 850 millivolts or somewhere in between. If the open-circuit test reads below 400 millivolts, then the thermopile likely requires service or replacement.
What are millivolt controls?
1. Millivolt Gas Valve. … This small amount of electricity provides enough of a current to control an electromagnet that pulls the valve open against a spring; if the current isn’t present, the valve will snap shut and turn off the gas.
Can I use a gas fireplace without electricity?
Many gas fireplaces will work without electricity. You can run both intermittent pilot ignition fireplaces and standing pilot light systems during a power outage. IPI valve systems will normally have a backup battery system in place to ignite the flames.
What do I do if my gas fireplace won't light?
If gas is coming out of the pilot, but it still won’t light, the spark igniter could be the problem. Alleyne says to look for and clear out any debris between the igniter and thermocouple. 4. The pilot lighting, but not staying lit, indicates that the thermocouple is worn out, Worthen says.
What is an interrupted pilot?
Interrupted pilot for a gas hearth product means a pilot that is automatically ignited when an appliance is called on to operate and is automatically extinguished after the main burner operation has been initiated.
What is hot surface ignition?
Hot surface ignitor are the most commonly used electronic ignition system. It works like a light bulb filament, heating up when electricity is passed through it. Most are made from silicon nitride or silicon carbide ceramic. When the gas valve opens, the gas is ignited by the igniter.
What is a intermittent pilot?
Intermittent Pilot Ignition is an electronic system, which uses an electrode to ignite the pilot gas. In turn, the pilot flame lights the main burner gas. The term Intermittent is used because the pilot burner flame is only present when the main burner is operating.
How do you turn off the pilot light on a fireplace?
Turning off your pilot light is a simple process that will save you both energy and money. All you have to do is open the front of your fireplace, turn the Pilot knob to “off,” and then turn your gas shutoff valve to the “off” position as well.
Why are flames blue in gas fireplace?
You get a blue gas flame with a hydrocarbon gas when you have enough oxygen for complete combustion. When you do have sufficient oxygen, the gas flame appears blue because complete combustion creates enough energy to excite and ionize the gas molecules in the flame.
How much does it cost to run a pilot light on a gas fireplace?
A pilot light is a small flame that is kept lit to provide a catalyst for the main burner to be turned on when needed. The average fuel consumption of your standing Pilot light is: Natural gas is $0.60 a day = $219 a year.
How much heat does a pilot light give off?
Just how much gas does a pilot light consume? Most pilot lights will consume about 600 BTU’s of gas/hour. With 24 hours in a day, that’s roughly 14,400/BTU’s each day.
How many hours can you run a gas fireplace?
In short, you really shouldn’t let a gas fireplace on for too long—specifically more than three hours at a time.
Does the pilot light go out when the gas is turned off?
Your pilot light relies on your natural gas to stay aflame, so if your gas is shut off, your pilot light will go out. Simply turn your gas back on and either relight your pilot light yourself or call a professional.
What is spark interrupted?
Ignition Systems In an interrupted ignition system, the spark is active for a brief time at the start of the operating cycle, then turns off once there’s a flame. In an intermittent ignition system, the spark stays on while the burner runs.
