What type of igniter is used in an intermittent pilot system to light the pilot?

In an intermittent pilot system, a hot surface igniter is utilized to light the pilot. This type of igniter is made of a material that becomes extremely hot when an electric current passes through it, allowing it to ignite gas at the pilot light. The hot surface igniter creates a reliable ignition source, efficiently initiating combustion once the gas is released to the pilot burner.

The hot surface igniter operates independently, meaning that it doesn’t rely on the presence of an external flame or pilot to function, which is a key characteristic of intermittent pilot systems. Once activated, it heats up quickly to ignite the gas and can cycle on and off, enhancing safety and energy efficiency during operation.

In contrast, the other options do not serve the specific role of igniting the pilot flame. An electronic igniter generates a spark for ignition rather than heating up to ignite gas directly. A flame sensor’s role is to detect whether a flame is present and ensure proper safety functions but is not used for ignition. A thermocouple is primarily a safety device that generates a small voltage in response to temperature differences and is also not responsible for lighting the pilot itself.