Electric ignition is a convenient addition to gas stoves

What is electric ignition

This is a convenient additional function when the gas is ignited by the operation of a piezoelectric element or an electric candle. Electric ignition allows you to ignite gas safely and protects users from the possibility of getting burned, as there is no need for lighters or matches.

In some publications the name piezoignition or piezoignition appears; there is no difference in design, they are simply called as convenient, and the basis is that the spark is provided by a piezoelectric element. This scheme is used on budget models; the user has to use both hands to ignite the burner.

What it is?

Electric ignition of a gas stove is a convenient innovation that can be seen on most modern stoves. Outwardly, this is an ordinary button, which is located on the front panel, near the handles that turn the burners on and off. Its task is to light the burners without using additional means in the form of matches, electric or gas lighters. Electric ignition can have two types.

• Automatic. The essence of auto-ignition is that, using special piezoelectric elements, the burner is ignited when the corresponding handle is turned.
• Mechanical. The mechanical version uses a button, which triggers the same reaction.

In order to clearly understand the essence of what is happening, it is necessary to understand the intricacies of the operating principle of electric ignition, which will look like this:

• pressing the button causes a reaction in the form of voltage, which is applied to the capacitor area;
• next includes charging the capacitor;
• the subsequent action will be to increase the level on the thyristor;
• upon reaching the desired limit, the process of discharging the capacitor starts;
• at the output you can observe the voltage that triggers the spark gap;
• the spark that results will be the factor that makes it possible to ignite the burner.

All stages occur instantly, so you can turn on the stove in just 1–2 seconds. The peculiarity of modern stoves is that voltage is supplied to the burner that turns on. Whereas in the old modifications the discharge went to all burners, and the one to which gas access was open was turned on. A pure gas stove cannot have mechanical electric ignition, since it runs on electricity, so modern stoves have a cord on the back that must be plugged into an outlet to create conditions for using the corresponding function. Having such an assistant seems like a blessing, but each device always has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Types of electric ignition

The mechanical or semi-automatic option is that when you turn the regulator that turns on the gas supply, you must simultaneously press the start button so that the device installed inside ignites the gas-air mixture. This function is not entirely convenient, since you need to work with both hands.

Automatic ignition works differently: when you turn the handle of the gas regulator, it is ignited automatically, a spark is given by a special candle located next to the burner. There is a small nuance: before turning, you need to lightly press the switch, this closes the electrical circuit, and a spark jumps between the candle and the burner body, igniting the gas.

The main advantages and features of stoves with electric ignition

Many consumers are accustomed to using matches or lighters to light their old, but still quite reliable products from the last century. Today, almost all models of modern gas stoves are equipped with a mechanical or automatic ignition device, so the outdated method is considered a rudiment. Buyers should be aware that this function does not affect the final cost of the product.

Among the advantages of stoves with electric ignition, experts note the following nuances:

1. Now the user does not need to buy extra matches or look for a reliable lighter that can function for a long time - using such a stove is much more convenient.
2. Automatic ignition protects you from possible burns when gas flares up.
3. If the user has been using a similar electric product for a long time, then getting used to the control of a gas stove with automatic ignition will be quick.

There is only one negative quality: in the event of a sudden power outage, which happens quite often in some regions of Russia, you will not be able to light the gas; this function does not work without voltage in the network, so a box of matches should be kept in stock.

Mechanical electric ignition

The mechanism of action is as follows:

1. The regulator turns (it turns on the gas supply).
2. The start button is pressed.
3. The gas-air mixture is ignited.

The inconvenience is that you need to work with both hands.

Advantages of mechanical electric ignition:

• There is no need to purchase matches in reserve.
• Ease of use.
• Protection from possible burns (if gas flares up).
• Quickly get used to controlling a gas stove.

Negative point - if the electrical power is turned off, the stove can only be lit with matches or a lighter . It is also important to be careful if there are small children. They can easily turn on a household appliance. Therefore, you need to use the stove in such a way that the baby does not understand the switching mechanism.

Reasons for ignition failure include:

• The button becomes dirty from drops of grease (this can lead to a short circuit)
• If dirt gets on the candle , this leads to its rapid heating or cooling, then the integrity of the ceramic shell is damaged;
• Unit transformer burnout (occurs due to operation for a long period of time)
• Broken contacts (this is the main reason for the circuit to malfunction)
• Carrying out wet cleaning.

How to understand that the ignition is broken:

• Pressing the button does not ignite the gas.
• Electrical discharges do not stop even after the button is released.
• The presence of clicks without the appearance of a spark.
• Triggering of the circuit breaker in the panel.

How to fix electric ignition yourself:

1. You need to make sure that the burners themselves are working. To do this, the gas is ignited in them one by one (using an ordinary match).
2. Carrying out a careful inspection of all elements responsible for ignition.
3. Disconnecting the device from the electrical network.
4. Cleaning candles from dirt. If water gets on the buttons during the process, you should wipe them with a cloth and then dry them with a hairdryer.
5. If the contacts are burnt, they must be cleaned to a homogeneous metal (the procedure is carried out using fine-grained sandpaper.

It cannot be said that electric ignition is an essential function. But today all new models are produced with this function. It’s quite difficult to find a regular stove, and besides, its price is not that low.

Requirements for a stove with electric ignition

Each model of a modern gas stove must have an electrical connection for automatic ignition and oven lighting to work. The connection cord is included. If there is no socket nearby, then it is necessary to draw a separate line with a wire with three cores and a cross-section of at least 1.5 mm, and install a 16 A circuit breaker, such as an RCD or a regular circuit breaker, on the common panel.

To carry out the work, it is better to invite a professional electrician from the housing office, so that later there will be no problems due to overload of the electrical network in the apartment.

Which electric ignition is better, mechanical or automatic?

Electric ignition is a convenient thing; it helps those who like to cook on a gas stove, but do not want to use matches. The device allows you to turn on the gas supply without effort. Many modern stoves are equipped with this function.

Automatic electric ignition

Automatic electric ignition helps light the gas simply by turning the handle. There is no need to press additional buttons. The principle of operation is simple: first of all, you need to press the switch slightly and then turn it. What happens at the moment of switching on: the circuit closes, then a spark is created between the electrodes. She is the one who lights the burner. The mechanism can be examined carefully if you remove the flame cutter cover from the burner. The location of the electric ignition is in a small recess on the side.

The main advantage is the ability to work with one hand. In addition, the function allows you to light the flame in the burner quickly and safely. You just need to turn the lever. It is he who will supply the gas.

Similarities between devices

The similarities are given below:

1. In order for any type of electric ignition to work, it is necessary to connect the stove to an electrical network.
2. The need to install a grounded outlet.
3. A stable voltage is required . If there are problems with voltage in the house, then it is better to purchase models that are most resistant to various surges. Domestic options are most adapted to such working conditions.
4. The need to install separate wiring if there is no grounded outlet. In this case, a three-core wire is required, with a cross-section of at least 1.5 mm (in diameter). In addition, the electrical panel must be equipped with a 16A .
5. Possibility of operating a gas stove without electricity . You just have to use matches or a lighter. Therefore, a power outage will not lead to starvation of the entire family.
6. The need to replace the transformer in case of ignition failure.
7. Composite electronic elements are sold in specialized stores.
8. The most vulnerable parts are brass contacts ; they fail after a while.
9. Possibility of independent connection of the stove.

Device differences

The differences are presented in the table.

For what purposes are they best suited?

When buying a hob, you should give preference to a model with automatic electric ignition. This will avoid having an extra button and maintain a beautiful appearance. Gas stoves can be selected with any type of electric ignition. The additional button is not visible and does not take up space.

For safe operation of the stove, it is necessary to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations, which are specified in the instructions.

Impact piezo ignition circuit

Universal shock ignition of gas using piezoelectric elements was used on domestic gas products back in Soviet times, but today it is practically not used. Its operating principle is based on a shock pulse when the user presses a button. The main components of the design: body, rod with striker, piezoelectric element, powerful spring and electrical wiring.

Similar mechanisms were installed on gas products in the last century. The device was rigidly fixed to the body of the product, because when the button was pressed, users made significant efforts, at which point the firing pin was cocked and then hit the head of the piezoelectric element strongly, resulting in the generation of a spark with a voltage of 10-15 thousand V.

Its power was enough to ignite the gas, but this is not dangerous for the user, since the current strength is very low, it will only pinch the fingers. This scheme was subsequently abandoned.

Scheme of modern electric ignition

It is electric ignition with the participation of candles that is used in all luxury models; the circuits used are different, but the basis is identical. Power is always supplied from a standard electrical network with a voltage of 220 V. The operating principle of the circuit will be clear only to specialists - there are so many specific names such as resistors, primary and secondary windings of a transformer or induction coils.

It is enough for users to know that when the switch is turned, the electrical circuit is closed at the same time; the starting spark plug creates only on the burner where access to gas is open. Home craftsmen can get acquainted with a detailed diagram of the installed ignition in the operating instructions.