Studio Art Kiln Booklet
2021
General Information
Replacement of kilns is based on age and condition.
Installation and electrician's costs have been charged to the receiving school or department.
A “Complete Operating Instructions” booklet will accompany the new kiln, and it will answer all questions on daily operations of the kiln and have a diagram of the electronics. You will need the “Complete Operating Instructions” booklet to understand the daily operations of the specific kiln. The ISD electrician will need the diagram of the kiln electronics for the installation of the kiln. If you are missing this booklet, go online with the manufacturer and download the booklet
When kilns are not firing, turn off the power to the kiln at the power disconnect box located near the kiln. This will save the kiln damage from power surges and save electricity.
Voltage of New or Old Kiln
We are converting to hard wiring all new kilns. Older kilns are still using wall plugs. Before purchasing a new kiln, have an electrician check the voltage of the wall receptacle. A 240-volt and 190-volt outlet looks similar. Do not assume a 240-volt is putting out 240-volt or a 208-volt is putting out 208-volt. The voltage varies with the usage in the building and with the usage in the city. The power company usually wires residential homes for 120/240 volts and school 120/208 volts. On 208 volts, a 240-volts kiln will fire at only 75% power and never reach a maximum temperature to fire clay and glaze. The new electronic kilns will shut themselves off when there are voltage issues. (i.e., it would be similar to trying to bake chicken in an electronic oven at home. Set the temperature to 375 degrees for 50 minutes, but the oven only reached 100 degrees in 30 minutes. The oven would shut off, and we would have raw chicken).
If the wall receptacle is reading 190 volts for a 240-volt kiln, then the power company may need to change the transformer to raise the voltage to the building, or the kiln may need to be rewired to match the voltage it is receiving. But before we go to the city or the cost of rewiring a kiln, we need to look at the following steps.
NEW KILN INSTALLATION
WIRING
1. Have a certified electrician check the voltage of the wall receptacle before ordering or installing a kiln.
2. Have a certified electrician install and correct any electrical needs; voltage, wiring in the wall, receptacles, separate breaker for the kiln, a power disconnect box near the kiln, electrical outlet, and outside vent.
If the voltage is low, the electrician may contact the electric company to provide more voltage to the school and possibly change the transformer.
3. Other needs will be a high heat sensor, sprinkler system, installation of a vent, separate ventilation of fresh air (air coming in and out of the room), and tile flooring.
4. Write down the exact voltage and amperage the kiln will receive. If the voltage and amperage do not match the new kiln, the kiln will not fire hot enough to vitrify the clay or glaze.
ORDERING
1. Order a kiln to match the voltage, amperage, and for hard wiring. Art Department will order the kiln and kiln furniture.
(A 208-volt kiln draws more amperage than a 240-volt kiln, and
consequently, standard cord sets on a 240-volt model is not heavy enough for a 208-volt)
2.. If the 208-volt receptacle will only produce 190 volts, call the kiln company, and they can wire the kiln to match the voltage of the wall receptacle before shipping the kiln to you. Remember that if the voltage changes on the wall receptacle (the electric company changes transformer giving the school more voltage and the wall receptacle now gives 208 volts), the kiln’s element will need to be rewired at the new voltage. The kiln elements overcome low voltage by drawing more power; however, should you ever plug the kiln into a circuit with normal voltage, the elements will pull too much power, damaging the cord set. (Overheated wires run the risk of an electrical fire)
3. Order 2” high blank bricks in the top row of the sidewall bricks with the kiln if not already part of the package. In the TnF283, it is part of the package
PREPARING THE ROOM
FOR THE KILN’S ARRIVAL
Fireproof flooring- Tile is a good choice
Air space for the kiln- The room needs to be large enough to have at least 12 inches from any wall or combustible surface. Distance will vary with the size, type of kiln, and the number of kilns in the room.
Ventilation of room- Ventilation continually brings fresh air into the room, and ventilation taking toxins and hot air out of the room is necessary. A kiln room without proper ventilation will become hot enough to overheat and short-circuit the kiln’s electronics. If the Kiln room reaches 110 degrees, F or 66 degrees C the electronics will shut down or short circuit. Kilns emit toxic fumes during various stages of the firing, and the kilns can be fired up to 2400 F degrees. This creates a volatile situation of “built-up heat” in the room with the heat from the kiln shut down. The Fire Marshall requires the kiln room door to remain shut at all times and no fresh air coming in or out of the room.
Ventilation of the kiln fumes- Kiln manufacturers are moving away from overhead vents. You must purchase a downdraft vent when a new kiln is purchased. The downdraft vent does a better job of removing fumes from the kiln room. Existing kiln vents are grandfathered in.
Installing a Kiln Vent
An electrician must install kiln vents. They will make the necessary modifications to change out the outtake vents and mount the motor to the wall. When new kilns are installed, holes will be drilled at the bottom of the kiln to pull fumes from the kiln. All installation parts are included in the purchase.
It must be vented to the outside.
Sprinkler system in compliance with the current fire codes for a high-temperature room.
High heat sensor in compliance with the current fire codes for a high-temperature room.
Working fire extinguisher within easy reach of the kiln room
Separate circuit breaker for a kiln
A Power disconnect box near the kiln (Safety feature)
Fire door meets specs of fire code
INSTALLING THE KILN
Have a certified electrician install the kiln.
The diagrams of the kiln's electronics are in the manufacturer's installation booklet, and the electricians will need as well as the kiln repair person.
Notes to Electricians
Check the wall receptacle's voltage and the kiln's voltage and amperage. They must match.
Check the side of the kiln for the rating.
Be sure we do not have a 240-volt kiln connected to a 208-volt outlet and vice versa.
Be sure we do not have a 208-volt kiln connected to an outlet carrying only 190 volts.
Check the receptacle under load.
If plugged into a wall receptacle, pull the kiln plug ¼ inch from the wall receptacle. Start the kiln. Place the voltmeter probe against each of the two hot blades of the cord plug to measure voltage. If the voltage and amperage do not match the kiln's voltage and amperage, the kiln will not fire correctly.
Check the circuit. The kiln should not be sharing a circuit with other appliances. This can reduce the voltage and slow down the firing.
Install an emergency disconnect box in the classroom to shut off power to the kilns when not in use or if there is an emergency with the kilns.
Install an electrical outlet for the kiln vent
Remember, we order the kiln to match the voltage and amperage the electrician reports to us. If the voltage changes on the wall receptacle (such as the electric company changes the transformer giving the school more voltage and the wall receptacle that was 190 volts and now gives 208 volts), the 190-volt kiln's elements will need to be rewired at the new voltage. The kiln elements overcome low voltage by drawing more power, and should you ever plug the kiln into a circuit with normal voltage, and the elements will pull too much power, damaging the cord set. (Overheated wires run the risk of an electrical fire)
Before New Kiln’s First Fire
Check List
Installation
____ electrician checked the voltage of the wall receptacle
_____ _____________ is the voltage of the wall receptacle
_____ Ordered kiln to match voltage receiving in-wall receptacle
_____ Floor under the kiln is fireproof
_____ Fresh air ventilation coming in and out of kiln room.
_____ kiln is on a separate circuit breaker.
_____ Each kiln has an easily accessible a power disconnect box near the kiln.
_____ Each kiln has a working and proper-sized kiln vent
_____ Have an electrician/kiln repair person check the voltage after the kiln is installed
______Meeting FIRE CODES (Fire extinguisher, high heat sprinkler system, etc.)
Preparing for First Firing
____ electrician checked the voltage of the wall receptacle
_____ _____________ is the voltage of the wall receptacle
_____ Ordered kiln to match voltage receiving in-wall receptacle
_____ Floor under kiln is fireproof
_____ Fresh air ventilation coming in and out of kiln room.
_____ kiln is on a separate circuit breaker.
_____ Each kiln has an easily accessible a power disconnect box near the kiln.
_____ Each kiln has a working and proper sized kiln vent
_____ Have an electrician/kiln repair person check the voltage after the kiln is installed
______Meeting FIRE CODES (Fire extinguisher, high heat sprinkler system, etc.)
First Firing
____ Leave lid raised about an inch and leave stoppers out of peepholes.
____ Set kiln to fire at the same temperature as the cones.
____ Set the speed of firing at standard.
This firing checks the accuracy of the electronics and prepares the surface of the Kiln.
Kiln Problem Solving
Most solutions will be found in the "Complete Operating Instructions" booklet accompanying the kiln. If a new booklet is needed, go to the kiln's manufacturing site and print a new one. Among many things, it will explain what each Error message means on the digital board and how to fix the problem. (such as FTH, PF1, PF3, ETH, LTde, FTC, etc).
Problem Action
1. Smells of burning wires Turn off the kiln and shut down the disconnect box. An electrician needs to check the wiring and breaker fuses.
2. Kiln will not turn on check breakers (breaker by the kiln and main school breakers). If the breakers are OK, then call the kiln repair person.
3. Only ½ the load fires to temperature. An element or fuse may have gone out, call the kiln repair person
4. Glaze ware bonded to shelf. Chisel glaze ware off the shelf. Remove any glaze drips from the shelf, lightly sand, and re-apply kiln wash.
5. Glaze drips on the bottom of the kiln or shelf. Remove glaze drips immediately. The glaze will continue to eat the fire brick with each firing. Remove glaze drops and re-apply kiln wash.
If a large hole develops, fill it with kiln cement. Let the cement dry, and then apply kiln wash.
6. Dust particles attached to glaze pieces during firing. Vacuum the kiln regularly.
7. Kiln is not reaching temperature or shuts off early. (FTH- Fire Too Hot)
Troubleshooting:
The setting is too slow. Readjust settings.
Ware is placed to close. Leave more space between ware and to the thermocouple and re-fire
Voltage should only be determined by the kiln repair person or a certified electrician.
.
Power surges caused by a storm will cause the kiln to shut off and could lead to electrical damage. Only use the kiln when there is no danger of electrical storms.
Elements will wear out over time and need to be replaced. This happens when the kiln does not reach the set temperature. Call for the kiln repair person.
Fuses can also cause the computer not to fire in the kiln correctly. These can be easily replaced, but it is best to have the kiln repair person
replace the fuses and check the kiln for any other maintenance problems.
If the kiln room is getting too hot, increase the air circulation with a fan. Do not use the kiln if the vent is not working. It will cause the fire alarm to go off- ask me how I know.
If there are loose hanging elements, turn the kiln on long enough to heat the elements and turn off power to the kiln. Use needle-nose pliers gently reseat the hot element. If you try to reseat the elements when cold, the elements will break. If you are uneasy about doing this, call for kiln repair. There is no danger unless one element is about to touch another row of elements. If this is the case, do not fire your kiln until repaired.
If the kiln displays an ETH (Electronics too Hot), check the airflow in the room and cool the room. If the circuit board temperature is above 185 degrees F it will shut down and may cause damage to the circuit board. If the air in the room is over 110 degrees F there is a problem with circulation.
Remember, the Fire Marshall wants the fire door shut at all times- firing the kiln or not firing.
Important Current Information that should be
posted by kiln room for each kiln
The information will be helpful to the teacher, maintenance, electricians, kiln repair person, and fire department.
________________ Kiln manufacture
________________ Type of kiln
________________ Date of Purchase/installed
________________ Serial number
________________ Voltage of kiln
________________ Amps of kiln
________________ Phase
________________ Watts
________________ Nema
________________ Hertz
________________ Breaker size
________________ Circuit wire Size
________________ Voltage kiln is receiving- information from an electrician or kiln repair person.
________________ Date last checked
________________ Location of kiln for this spec. sheet if more than one kiln in the room
________________ Disconnect box for each kiln, if more than one kiln in room
________________ Location of the main breaker to the kiln
________________ Location of the main breaker to the art rooms
Note any special wiring to the kiln or repairs. Example: if your kiln is wired for 190 volts and the school's voltage changes and you are now receiving 208 volts this information will help speed the process of repair to the kiln and be helpful to the fire department.
Make kiln decisions based on your unique situation. I purchased a Touchscreen Skutt in 2018 because I needed a lower and wider kiln that had the flexibility to fire glass, crystalline glazes, and high-fire glazes.
Paragon Industries
2011 South Town East Blvd. (near HWY 80)
Mesquite, Texas 75149-1122
1 800 876-4328
******Parts are ordered base on the phase, voltage and model of your kiln.*****