Precise positioning stops backlash

• With mechanical controls, backlash causes hysteresis in the fuel:air ratio, which wastes energy and costs money
• Using ETC controls, you can set fuel valves and air damper positions precisely to ± 0.1 angular degrees eliminating backlash and saving fuel

Backlash is sometimes called: play or, slop or, end-float or, slack.

As mechanical linkages age their joints wear and any reversal of the burner’s modulation has to first take-up this backlash before the linkage can operate its fuel valves.  Backlash causes the relationship between fuel and air damper to vary and creates a small inefficiency in combustion.

Electronic fuel:air ratio control uses individual servo motors to drive fuel valves and air dampers making linkages redundant and removing the cause of backlash.

Replacement of badly worn linkages by installation of electronic control can effect a 0.5% to 1.0% energy saving.