What is the function of the stack switch on an oil furnace?

The stack control of the oil furnace, located in the stack, is a safety device that monitors the operation of the oil burner. If the burner fails to ignite, the stack control shuts off the motor. Frequently, however, a furnace shutdown is caused by a malfunctioning stack control rather than by the burner.

Where is a stack switch mounted in the oil burner system?





flue vent connector

A “stack relay” is a primary heating system safety control mounted on the flue vent connector close to an oil fired heating boiler, furnace, or water heater.

How do you dispose of an old oil burner?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Turn the tap on it off at the tank. Turn the furnace on and that can burn whatever excess oil is in this just in the oil line and then what we do is we unhook it and drain that into a container.

What is the oil burner emergency switch?

NFPA 31 for oil burners requires the “emergency switch” to interrupt the BURNER SUPPLY CIRCUIT, not the appliance power circuit. It is NOT the same as the “service switch” on the unit itself. The switch must be located outside of the room where the burner is installed.

What is the most common cause of puff back?





An oil furnace or a boiler fueled by oil is the most common device that experiences puff backs. This problem occurs when unburned oil at the bottom of the furnace is heated. Unburned oil accumulates due to improper ignition timing, leaving a residue of oil that failed to combust after each ignition cycle.

How do you adjust the electrodes on an oil burner?

Adjusting Electrodes

  1. Use a wrench or screwdriver to loosen holder to adjust or position electrodes. setting the gap between the tips.
  2. Set gap at 1/8″ setting electrode tip 1/8″ forward of nozzle tip.
  3. Set electrodes 1/8” forward from end of nozzle. …
  4. Set electrodes about ½” from center of nozzle to center of electrodes.


What is the switch on the side of a boiler?

Generally, the disconnect switch looks exactly like an ordinary wall switch used to control light fixtures. In order to ensure safety while working on the furnace, you can shut off the power to the furnace’s circuit at either the circuit breaker or the disconnect, or both.

What does the red emergency switch do?



These emergency switches should have a red wall plate. The most common is a power cutoff for the furnace located away from the appliance, say, at the head of the basement stairs. If there’s a problem, it cuts off power and stops fuel pumps, igniters, fans, the works, so they don’t make the problem worse.

What is the switch on the side of my furnace?

It is mounted on the side of the furnace. The switch will allow you to shut off the electricity to the furnace without having to go to the main service panel to switch off the circuit breaker.

Where is safety switch on furnace?

A furnace pressure switch is a safety device located near the draft inducer motor of a gas forced-air furnace. It is a round-shaped switch that is fairly easy to identify once you have removed your furnace’s front cover.

Should the red emergency switch be on or off?



The switch should be in the ON position. The emergency shutoff switch looks just like a light switch, so it may have been accidentally turned off. That can happen quite often. Check your electrical box: Look for blown fuses or any tripped circuit breakers.

What would cause a furnace not to kick on?

If your furnace is not turning on you should first check if the filter is clean. Dirty filters cause insufficient airflow and can prevent the furnace from starting. Other reasons it won’t start can stem from improper thermostat settings, forgetting to turn on the gas line, or faulty pilot light.

Why is my oil furnace not igniting?

Possible causes: The furnace could need resetting. Other possible causes include a faulty connection in the thermostat, a pilot flame in need of cleaning, a switch that’s been turned off or problems with a gas valve.

How do I make my furnace kick on?

What would cause my furnace not to kick on?

  1. Check your circuit breakers.
  2. Check your thermostat settings.
  3. Ensure your furnace filters are clean.
  4. Check your pilot light.
  5. Check your blower motor.
  6. Check the furnace ignition switch.



How do you fix a furnace that won’t ignite?

If your gas furnace initiates the start cycle but does not fire up, it’s likely because of a faulty, damaged, or dirty ignitor/sensor. This is a very common furnace problem—you can try to clean the sensor and replace the ignitor.

Can I manually ignite my furnace?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: So the mirror is optional but of course some kind of a light a flame you do have to have to light the thing. So that is how to manually light a furnace.

How do I know if my oil furnace ignitor is bad?

Your furnace won’t run: The most obvious sign that your ignitor is bad is that it won’t ignite, and this generally manifests itself in your furnace failing to run when you activate it. One word of caution, though: this can also be caused by other issues, some of which are electrical.