!1# Learn How Wolf Appliance: January 2012

!: How Hot Surface Igniters Work

Hot Surface Igniters were invented in 1969 and are made of advanced ceramic materials. This invention relates generally to electronic oven control circuits and, more particularly, to an electronic oven control circuit for a gas oven having a hot surface igniter. Gas oven control systems which utilize hot surface igniters, resistive elements which are heated by the application of electrical current, are widely used because of their durability and reliability.

While they cannot be bent or reshaped they are known to be fairly fragile and can be damaged during transit or even installation if the proper precautions are not taken.

Hot surface igniters do weaken and will eventually generate less heat than they normally could and should be replaced when this occurs. Hot Surface Igniters can be purchased from your local appliance service center or HVAC service center however should be installed by professional service personnel.

If you have an appliance that is failing it is most likely not due to faults in the igniter itself, it may be exposed to excessive voltage, the appliance may be operating at too high a temperature, or the igniter may have been damaged prior to installation. If the hot surface igniter is glowing red hot but the appliance does not fire you should call for professional service.

The two most common problems with hot surface igniters are breakage and premature burnout. They can also quit part way through cooking, in other words the oven may cycle a couple of times and then it just sits there with the red glow from the igniter.

The hot surface igniter is generally positioned in the path of flow of a fuel gas or gas/air mixture, this flow being controlled with an electrically actable valve. As the gas passes the hot surface igniter, the gas is ignited and heat is produced. The electrically operated valve is energized to a level which causes it to open only when current passed through the hot surface igniter has heated it to a sufficient gas ignition temperature.