What is a roll out switch for gas furnace?

A roll-out switch is a safety feature found on a gas furnace. A furnace may have only one roll-out switch, or it may have several. The roll-out switch stops the furnace from igniting if a part of the furnace that is supposed to stay cool gets hot.

How do you tell if roll out switch is bad?

For instance, if your flames are not rolling out, but the rollout switch is tripping, then the rollout switch might be bad. Normally, a flame rollout switch will close when it’s not tripped. A bad flame rollout switch will have an open or high-resistance circuit when not tripped.

What causes a rollout switch to trip on a furnace?

Rollout switches trip because flames are burning back where they are not supposed to be. Possible causes include a stopped up vent, a stopped up heat exchanger, low gas pressure, or a cracked heat exchanger. All of these conditions are very serious and have the potential to do great harm.

Can you reset the flame rollout switch?

The flame rollout switches on some furnaces are designed so that if they trip, they cannot be reset, but must be replaced. Most furnaces, however, have a flame rollout switch (or switches) that can be reset.

What activates a flame roll out switch?

The flame roll-out switch activates when the furnace heats to a predetermined high temperature limit. Once the flame roll-out switch has been tripped, it must be reset before the appliance can produce heat again. Wait 30 minutes before attempting a furnace reset to allow the motor to cool down.

How do you unclog a heat exchanger?

Remove any dirt or debris from the heat exchanger block by using a wire brush. Also, use the brush to loosen any of the black soot or scale from each chamber in the heat exchanger. A damp cloth with cleaner specifically for gas furnaces, can also be used to remove any soot or scale.

How much does it cost to replace a flame rollout switch?

Flame rollout switches cost less than $10 to about $40, and they are easy to replace.

Can I bypass a roll out switch?

The many HVAC experts we know agree that the flame rollout switch should never be bypassed by a homeowner or renter.

Are flame rollout switches Universal?

Flame rollout switches have a simple design consisting of two metal strips with equal lengths and a reset button on the outer end. However, you should keep in mind that flame rollout switches are not universal and they only work with specific furnace models.