My wall switch for my gas fireplace wont work anymore

Q: Jason, I have a gas fireplace that is supposed to light when the light switch is flipped to the ON position.  It worked fine for the first 8 years. but now it won't light when the switch is activated.  In order to light it I have to go to the firepalce to push the red ignitor button several times.

The pilot is burning OK , and the fire burns fine if I light it with the red ignitor. Is the thermocoupling bad? After the fireplace has been burning for a while, I can flip the switch and it will re-light ok, but if i start it cold I am back to using the red button again. - GF

A: GF, Over the last 8 years the copper contacts on your standard wall switch have corrodded a bit. In other words, they have that crusty green copper corosion junk on the contacts. Since this system works on a milliamp signal it is very sensitive to variations or resistance. You can either remove the switch from the wall socket and clean the contacts or purchase a gold or mercury contact wall switch that will not corrode over time.

Comments

[Clint Martin]

Where do I find a gold or mercury contact wall switch? I have tried some of our suppliers & they don't know where to get them.

[Jason]

Well, it looks like I am dating myself again. It appears the mercury switches have not been made since the 70's. I believe you should be able to get some gold plated contact switches though. Try Werner Electric supply house. If they dont have gold, just get a top of the line plated wall switch (not the brass, but the plated silver variety)

[central heating breakdown cover]

Try Werner Electric supply house. If they dont have gold, just get a top of the line plated wall switch (not the brass, but the plated silver variety.central heating cover

[central heating]

Here in UK where our homes are largely heated by natural gas, there is a strong push for moving off such fossil fuels and onto renewables ... such as good old wood.

It's like my dear Dad used to say - wood, it's simply stored sunshine.