Why automatic ignition of a gas stove constantly clicks and spontaneously triggers: breakdowns and their repair

Modern gas stoves satisfy the end user in almost all respects. Most designs of such household appliances are invariably equipped with an automatic flame ignition system.

However, despite all the perfection of modern gas stoves, the potential owner of such equipment still has to deal with defects. In particular, over time, a defect often manifests itself when the self-ignition of a gas stove constantly clicks, regardless of the user's actions. Why is this happening? Consider the causes of such a breakdown and possible methods of repair on their own.

Differences in circuit solutions of the ignition system

Before trying to find out the reason for the incomprehensible "behavior" of a home gas stove or trying to do it yourself, it is advisable to get acquainted with the principle of the functioning of the auto-ignition mechanism.

According to available information, there are two design options for such devices:

1. On an electromechanical basis.
2. Based on electronic automation.

The first option involves a double user action, when you must first activate (turn) the gas supply handle, and then activate (press) the ignition button. Such schemes are somewhat simpler than fully automatic schemes, but inferior in ignition efficiency.

The button control system for automatic ignition of a gas stove is a convenient modern function that excludes the use of "old-fashioned" methods - igniting matches

The second option for igniting a gas stove is more convenient. Here, it is enough for the user to lightly press the gas supply handle slightly inside the landing socket and turn it by a certain angle. The ignition efficiency of an electromechanical circuit is inferior to a fully automatic system.

Both versions of gas stove ignition systems also differ in circuit electrical solutions. The first design is characterized by an electric circuit, where a high-voltage capacitor and a simple electric arrester are used.

Another configuration of igniting a gas stove is the so-called combined configuration, where the functions of the button and the flame level control dial are combined in a single design

The moment of activation (pressing) of the button by the owner of the gas stove leads to a voltage supply to capacitorwhose charge on the secondary winding of the step-up transformer breakdown voltage is formed for the arrester. Accordingly, on the arrester is formed spark, contributing to the ignition of gas.

The fully automatic design contains a slightly different circuit, where in addition to the high-voltage capacitor there are electronic components such as:

• diodes;
• thyristors;
• transistors.

Such a scheme works according to a somewhat complicated version, due to which a higher-quality ignition spark is obtained at the output. And also there is more convenient control for the user.

This is what a classic spark gap (candle) looks like under gas stoves. It is thanks to this component of the design of the gas burner that an electric spark is formed that sets fire to gas at the moment of switching on by the user

The ignition unit of the gas stove itself, as a rule, is carefully packed, and getting to the electronics is quite difficult. We recommend that you familiarize yourself with device and principle of operation gas stove.

However, what to do when the electric ignition of a household gas stove is constantly clicked, regardless of the adjustment knob? We will talk about this later.

Reasons to turn on electric ignition

As it turns out, taking into account practical experience, spontaneous clicks of a gas stove lighter in most cases are not connected in any way with the electronic circuit of the ignition unit.

One of the many designs of lighter buttons for gas stoves. Traditionally, a plastic case and a metallized contact group are ideal conditions for the formation of oxide junctions. However, there are better, but more expensive designs

The reasons for the appearance of an uncontrolled spark lie elsewhere. Often the place of formation of such a defect is internal area of ​​the button ignition control.

Reason # 1 - moisture inside the control button

Surely the owners of gas stoves had to deal with uncontrolled firing clicks on a gas stove after washing and cleaning household appliances.

Most likely, during the washing process, a certain amount of water fell on the ignition control button, as a result, part of the moisture penetrated inside.

Inside view of one of the lighter button designs. With this arrangement of conductors, even a small amount of moisture, soot, soot, etc. enough to cause a short circuit between the contacts

Considering that a high discharge voltage is supplied through the ignition button circuit, a small amount of moisture is sufficient for an uncontrolled spark to appear on the gas plate discharger.

Usually defect uncontrollable spark lighters in such cases disappears after some time. The moisture inside the button dries up, the short-circuit factor disappears, respectively, spontaneous clicks cease.

The picture shows a simple way to get rid of the defect of spontaneous arcing of the ignition system, obtained due to moisture. Warming up the appliance for some time with all hotplates helps to get rid of uncontrolled clicks.

Often, the correction of a short circuit defect due to “water that has gotten after washing” helps to ignite all burners of the gas stove for about 15-30 minutes.

Reason # 2 - junction formation

The junctions formed inside the ignition button can have different shapes.The formation of a junction can be promoted by the same moisture that has got inside the button after washing. Usually such a "water" junction is formed due to the periodic penetration of water.

Over and over again, deposits accumulate, and eventually an oxide junction is formed. In addition, grease, soot, and dust can accumulate inside the button housing. All this is also short circuit forerunners between contacts.

With this development, you have to disassemble the gas stove:

• remove the top panel;
• open the front subpanel;
• remove the ignition button (s).

Or in the case of more modern gas stove designs, you need to get to the designs disk management devices, simultaneously performing the functions of a button and a regulator of gas supply to the burners.

An embodiment of the mechanism for switching on automatic ignition and adjusting the flame level of the burner, where two functions are combined in one design. It is more difficult to remove such systems for cleaning or repair than a separate button

After the part is removed from the gas stove body, the deposits are cleaned, after which everything is collected in the reverse order. However, this work is a prerogative. gas company specialists. Inexperienced in such matters, the user of the gas stove to disassemble the device is not recommended.

Reason # 3 - mechanical bonding of the contact group

The mechanical connection of the contact group of the ignition button of the gas stove should also be attributed to the category of causes associated with a short circuit. Such a defect, as a rule, can occur on plates that have been in operation for a sufficiently long time. True, the same malfunction on new devices is not excluded, where the quality of components leaves much to be desired.

A mechanical connection is formed by any of the contacts of the button, which simply breaks off, for example, due to physical wear. The broken part is shifted from the attachment point and forms an electrical connection with another contact. In fact, the effect of the ignition button is turned on - that is, the spontaneous operation of electric ignition on the burners of the gas stove.

With such a malfunction, the only way out is a complete replacement of the component.

How to check the performance of the lighter?

In order not to in vain dismantle a potentially serviceable component, it is advisable to first perform a short circuit test (short circuit).

It is not difficult to do this with a measuring device - a tester that supports the possibility of measuring resistance in the "mOhm" range.

Procedure for testing a lighter button for a short circuit using a classic electrical measurement tool. Testing should be performed with the option of measuring resistance in the range of "mOhm"

On almost all gas stove models, the ignition controls are connected by conductors through the connectors. Therefore, each control is easily disconnected from the circuit for testing. After removing the plugs with conductors from the connectors to the released contacts, the buttons connect the tester probes and control the reading on a scale.

If a short circuit is formed inside the button housing through an oxide junction, resistance measurements in the mOhm range will show some value in any case. When the instrument readings equal to the absolute reference point (maximum resistance "mOhm"), there is no short circuit defect.

We also have other articles on the site about stove breakdowns and burner problems:

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

Concluding the review of the defect of the constantly clicking gas stove, as well as the possibilities of correction, we recommend that you read the thematic video below:

In some cases, the elimination of the defect is quite possible on its own. However, theoretically and in accordance with the rules, any malfunctions of gas stoves are the prerogative of special (gas) services. This approach is conditioned, first of all, for reasons of general fire safety, and not just directly the owner of household appliances.

Have you recently eliminated the cause of spontaneous firing in your stove? Share your experience with other visitors to our site, leave your comments and recommendations, add unique photos taken during the repair of the ignition button - the feedback form is located below.