When adjusting an oil burner, a smoke gun is used to measure what?

When adjusting an oil burner, a smoke gun is employed to measure smoke density. Smoke density is a critical parameter in ensuring that the oil burner operates efficiently and with minimal emissions. The smoke gun analyzes the particulates in the combustion gases produced by the burner, providing a visual and quantitative measure of how much incomplete combustion is occurring.

High smoke density indicates that the oil burner is not burning the fuel completely, leading to higher emissions of pollutants, increased soot buildup, and reduced overall efficiency. Therefore, a proper evaluation of smoke density helps technicians make necessary adjustments to optimize the burner’s performance, ensuring a cleaner and more efficient operation. This process is crucial for compliance with environmental standards and for promoting the longevity of the burner system.

Other options relate to different aspects of burner operation—like fuel viscosity or oil pressure—which may affect performance but are not measured directly by a smoke gun. Understanding smoke density specifically addresses combustion efficiency, making it the most relevant measurement in this context.