A flame sensor is a safety device used in gas appliances, such as furnaces and water heaters, to detect the presence of a flame. When the flame is lit, the sensor generates a signal that tells the appliance to continue supplying gas. If the flame goes out, the sensor will stop the gas supply, preventing a gas leak.
Checking a flame sensor is an important part of maintaining a gas appliance. A faulty flame sensor can lead to a gas leak, which can be dangerous and even deadly.