Glow-Bar Igniter (All Gas); Oven Burner Ignition System (All Gas); Oven Components - GE Profile J2S968 SERIES Technical Service Manual

Oven Burner Ignition System (All Gas)

The oven bake and broil burners are ignited by a
glow-bar ignition system. The igniter is a Norton
style rectangular glow-bar. The bake and broil
ignition circuits consist of the electronic control,
an igniter and an oven safety valve (gas valve).
The three components are wired in series for
each cooking function.
The most important points to know about the
ignition system are:
• THE IGNITER RESISTANCE DECREASES
AS THE IGNITER SURFACE TEMPERATURE
INCREASES.
• THE SAFETY VALVE OPERATES BY
CURRENT, NOT VOLTAGE.
From a cold start, the igniter needs 30 to 60
seconds, with a minimum of 116 volts applied, to
reduce its electrical resistance enough to provide
a minimum of 2.9 amps of current flow in the
series circuit. This is the required current flow
needed for the safety valve to open and supply
gas to the burner.
The glow-bar should provide a steady current flow
of between 3.4 to 3.6 amps in the circuit. At that
point the igniter temperature is between 1800°F to
2500°F (982°C to 1371°C). The igniter will remain
energized at all times during burner operation. If
the igniter glows red but does not draw at least
2.9 amps, the fault is usually with the igniter, not
the valve.
Always check the oven shut-off valve on the
pressure regulator for a Not On condition.

Glow-bar Igniter (All Gas)

WARNING: The rectangular Norton glow-bar
igniter is NOT INTERCHANGEABLE with the
cylindrical Carborundum glow-bar igniter. The two
types of glow-bar igniters operate at different
amperage and use different gas valves.

Oven Components

Check the glow-bar circuit with a clamp-on
ammeter. If igniter glows red but circuit does not
draw at least 2.9 amps, the fault is likely with the
igniter, not the valve.
Note: If igniter glows, but ignition does not occur,
be sure the oven shut-off valve on the pressure
regulator is in the open position.
Slow ignition can be caused by one or more of the
following conditions:
1. Blockage of primary air intake: Hole beneath
the bake orifice hood must be open and free of
insulation.
2. Blockage of secondary air intake holes:
Examine oven burner box (galvanized box
surrounding oven burner) and inspect the
single row of secondary air holes beneath the
bake burner for signs of blockage. Also, be
sure items in the storage drawer do not push
against the ceiling of the drawer area. If
pushed hard enough, the ceiling will flex
upward, closing off the secondary air holes.
3. Improper alignment of orifice hood and burner:
Orifice must be pointing straight into burner
venturi.
4. Improper air/gas adjustment.
5. Blockage of burner crossover slots:
Crossover slots must be open and free of
burrs.
6. Improper installation: Failure to seal all
openings in the wall behind and floor below
range may permit substantial drafts which can
affect ignition.
7. The gas control valve should draw 5 amps
when operating. Check by measuring the
amperage in L1 to the oven control.
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