On Dec 10, 7:11*pm, Molly Brown wrote:
Can anyone give me any information on when a fail safe circuit using a
thermocouple or pilot generator for a heater became standard for
household use or when it became mandatory for manufacturers of
furnaces.

I have an Adrews floor heater. Yes it’s VERY old. It doesn’t seem to
have a fail safe circuit. I am very curious as the whether it never
had it or if someone messed with it.

Yes I know all about pushing in and holding down the pilot control rod
to light the pilot but this rod isn’t going down or up, it only
turns.
Yes I know I should replace the entire heater and I am in the process
of replacing it now or very soon. I am simply curious about its
operation that is all. Any historic information you can give would be
greatly appreciated. Thank you.

conversion burners installed in the 1950s had thermocouple protection.
but I dont know how early it started, except I checked out a really
ancient water heater from the 20s, that had no thermocouple

On Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:17:34 -0800 (PST), "
wrote:

On Dec 10, 7:11Â*pm, Molly Brown wrote:
Can anyone give me any information on when a fail safe circuit using a
thermocouple or pilot generator for a heater became standard for
household use or when it became mandatory for manufacturers of
furnaces.

I have an Adrews floor heater. Yes its VERY old. It doesnt seem to
have a fail safe circuit. I am very curious as the whether it never
had it or if someone messed with it.

Yes I know all about pushing in and holding down the pilot control rod
to light the pilot but this rod isnt going down or up, it only
turns.
Yes I know I should replace the entire heater and I am in the process
of replacing it now or very soon. I am simply curious about its
operation that is all. Any historic information you can give would be
greatly appreciated. Thank you.

conversion burners installed in the 1950s had thermocouple protection.
but I dont know how early it started, except I checked out a really
ancient water heater from the 20s, that had no thermocouple


Some had flame sensors instead of thermocouples. (CaDS - cadmium
disulphide) photocells.