The flame sensor consisting of a tube constructed of quartz is commonly known as what?

The flame sensor consisting of a tube constructed of quartz is commonly known as what?

• A. Flame Rod
• B. Ionization Sensor
• C. Thermocouple
• D. Spark Detector

Answer: (A)

Flame rod. This sensor detects flame by ionization: a small conductor sits in the flame, and when the flame is present ions allow a tiny current to flow, signaling the control system that a flame exists and keeping the gas valve energized. The rod is typically housed in a quartz tube to protect the electrode from heat and debris, extending the sensor’s life in the flame environment. The quartz-tube, rod-in-flame arrangement is the characteristic flame-sensing setup known as a flame rod. In contrast, a thermocouple measures heat, not flame ionization, and a spark detector isn’t used for this type of steady flame sensing; ionization is the underlying principle, but the common name for this quartz-tube configuration is flame rod.

Flame rod. This sensor detects flame by ionization: a small conductor sits in the flame, and when the flame is present ions allow a tiny current to flow, signaling the control system that a flame exists and keeping the gas valve energized. The rod is typically housed in a quartz tube to protect the electrode from heat and debris, extending the sensor’s life in the flame environment. The quartz-tube, rod-in-flame arrangement is the characteristic flame-sensing setup known as a flame rod. In contrast, a thermocouple measures heat, not flame ionization, and a spark detector isn’t used for this type of steady flame sensing; ionization is the underlying principle, but the common name for this quartz-tube configuration is flame rod.