When troubleshooting a hydraulic safety valve, what should you confirm about the sensor tip if the pilot lights but the main burner does not ignite?

In troubleshooting a hydraulic safety valve, confirming the sensor tip's condition is crucial for understanding why the main burner does not ignite while the pilot light is operational. A bright cherry red color on the sensor tip indicates that it is functioning correctly and detecting sufficient heat from the pilot flame. This heat is necessary for the sensor to signal the main burner to ignite.

When the sensor tip reaches this bright cherry red state, it signifies that the temperature is adequate for the safety valve to open and allow gas to flow to the main burner. If the sensor is at this temperature but the main burner still does not ignite, there may be other issues involved, such as gas supply blockage, improper gas pressure, or malfunctioning ignition components that need further investigation.

The other temperature states mentioned—cold, blue, or dull red—do not indicate optimum performance for the sensor tip. A cold tip suggests that no heat is being registered, a blue color could indicate incomplete combustion or incorrect burner adjustment, and a dull red may imply insufficient heat for the valve to operate effectively. Each of these conditions would be reasons for the burner not igniting when the pilot is lit.