When Is It Time to Clean Porcelain Insulators?

Annual Maintenance

• The furnace needs annual cleaning to run at full efficiency. As a part of the yearly maintenance, the insulators should get a thorough cleaning. Going longer than two years between cleanings could cause cracks in the insulators, according to The Property Manager website. Once the ceramic surface is compromised, it will either break or reduce the function of the furnace. If the porcelain gets covered in soot within a few months of the original cleaning, you have a problem with the fuel and air mixture.

Firing Problems

• The porcelain insulator in the furnace ensures that the spark needed for ignition reaches the fuel nozzle. When the surface is covered in a thick coating of dust or dirt, the spark runs back down the insulator instead of to the tip of the electrode, according to the website for G&S Mechanical Services. Check the insulators before replacing other parts if a failure to fire has stopped the heat output of the device. Badly damaged parts will need replacement instead of a simple cleaning.

Checking the Insulators

• When cleaning, it is critical to check the porcelain for damage. Damaged insulators will fail soon, so catching the damage early prevents service interruption. The main signs of stress and age are cracks and lines known as crazing, according to Del Mar Learning Publications. These lines are often so fine that you need magnification to see them. Use gloves or wash your hands before handling the insulator to inspect it or the oils from your skin will damage it.

Cleaning Compounds

• Using the wrong products or compounds on the porcelain insulators renders them useless. A solvent such as lacquer or paint thinner and a soft rag work best for rubbing off soot and other debris. If the dirt is stubborn, a soft plastic scrub brush works. Steel wool or brushes and abrasive cleaners damage the glazing on the surface. Once the glazing is compromised, cracks form in the material below and break the part.