Methods and systems for using flame rectification to detect the presence of a burner flame

A burner flame detection system, comprising:

• a hot surface igniter comprising a conductive pattern connected to a conductive terminal and positioned proximal to a burner having a conductive body, the burner having an ignited state and an unignited state, such that when the burner is in the ignited state, the conductive terminal and the burner conductive body are in electrical communication with one another.

A method of determining if a burner is ignited using a conductive flame sensor comprising a conductive terminal and positioned proximate the burner, the method comprising:

• providing a flame sensing alternate current source operatively connected to the conductive terminal, the alternating current having a frequency of from about 24 kHz to about 300 kHz;
• and
• generating a rectified current from the conductive flame sensor to the burner when the flame sensing alternating current source supplies the alternating current to the conductive flame sensor conductive terminal, and the burner is in an ignited state.