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In this short podcast, Bryan explains the basics of flame sensing, also known as flame rectification.

Flame sensing/rectification is a form of proving flame. When you can\u2019t prove flame, your furnace might be dumping unspent gas into the heat exchanger, which can cause an explosion.

Flame sensing rods are common in hot-surface (HSI) and intermittent-spark (ISI) ignition. These rods stick out into the flame and connect to the furnace board. The flame creates a path between the rod and ground, which allows a very small current to flow to the board. Without a flame, there is voltage but no path, so the board can\u2019t sense a current and will shut the gas valve off to try again.\xa0

Sensing rods can fail when they short out due to a cracked insulator, are physically broken, aren\u2019t placed in the flame, or get covered in silica or carbon. If the furnace or burner assembly isn\u2019t properly grounded, then the flame sensor also won\u2019t work.

Flame sensing rods are often confused with thermopiles or thermocouples; the latter devices generate voltage and have a coating that can rub off with improper cleaning. Flame sensing rods don\u2019t have either of these features, so you can clean these by any means necessary (without breaking them or creating grooves or pits).

To test a flame sensing rod, begin by making sure the furnace is properly grounded. Then, make sure the rod is in the right spot and that the burner assembly is in good order. Get a microamp meter (with a resolution that reads tenths of microamps). Then, connect your leads in series with the flame rod.\xa0

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