But if you don’t want to pay for a service call and you think the only problem is the transformer, you can test it with a screwdriver. You need enough mechanical ability to figure out how to get to the transformer to test it.
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Shut off the power to the oil burner. Either turn off the breaker or unplug it.
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Open the inspection panels to the burner, find the transformer and loosen it to where you can move it around. Position the transformer so that you can see the high voltage terminals and touch them with the screwdriver. Leave the wiring attached.
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Disconnect the power to the motor so no oil will come out while you check the transformer.
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Return the power to the oil burner and turn it on.
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Place a screwdriver with a well-insulated handle to the output terminals of the transformer so that it is touching one terminal but not the other.
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Move the screwdriver so that the gap between it and the terminal it's not touching varies from a half of an inch to an inch and makes an arc. The arc should hold at least three-quarters of an inch with a good transformer. A shorter arc or no arc at all indicates a weak or defective transformer.
The Drip Cap
- Although your oil furnace burns fossil fuel, it still needs electricity to light the flame.
- But if you don’t want to pay for a service call and you think the only problem is the transformer, you can test it with a screwdriver.
- Either turn off the breaker or unplug it.
- Open the inspection panels to the burner, find the transformer and loosen it to where you can move it around.