search  current discussion  categories  kilns & firing - elements 

a question about electric kilns - amps and volts

updated wed 29 jun 11

 

John Post on tue 28 jun 11


Kiln Paragon Model A-66-B
Volts 120/240/3W
Amps 15
Watts 3600
Phase 1 50-60 A.C. Cycle only
Nema 14-30P plug

Kiln Evenheat Model 810
Hertz 60
Amps 18
Volts 120
Watts 2160

I have a Paragon model A-66-B kiln. I have it on a 30 amp breaker and
plug it into an electric kiln controller and it works great.

I recently picked up an Evenheat Model 810 kiln at an auction (impulse
buy, brand new, no one bid it on it but me). It too needs a 30 amp
breaker. The plug on the Evenheat is not a Nema 14-30P. It is a
standard household plug with ground.

The specs for each kiln are above. I am wondering if there is a way
to run the Evenheat on the kiln controller and circuit that I already
have for the Paragon. Could it be as simple as swapping out the
Evenheat plug for a Nema 14-30P plug? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

John Post
Sterling Heights, Michigan

http://www.johnpost.us

Follow me on Twitter
https://twitter.com/UCSArtTeacher

Barro Cocido on tue 28 jun 11


According to Evenheat, your mod.810 uses NEMA 5-20R: a "hot" wire, a neut=
=3D
ral
and ground. a NEMA 14-30P has 2 "hot" wires, a neutral and ground.=3D20=3D=
20=3D


Having that in mind and myself being a daring guy, this is what I'd do,
assuming the controller is in between the wall outlet and the kiln: I'd
purchase a 14-30P plug and connect:

5-20 Ground wire to 14-30 Ground
5-20 Neutral wire to 14-30 Neutral
5-20 "HOT" wire to 14-30 "HOT" (either one of the 2)
** You will have no wire connected to one of the "HOTs" of the 14-30 **

That should provide 120v to your Evenheat.

You would need to ask your controller's manufacturer or perhaps it is in =
=3D
its
user manual, if controlling a 120V kiln is supported. Myself, don't see =
=3D
why
not. An electronic temperature controller is just a switch that is activ=
=3D
e
or not letting or not voltage get to the kiln elements, based on the
variation of temperature input to an electronic circuit (PID). But
manufacturers could possible prevent the controller from supplying power =
=3D
if
only 1 of the "HOT" wire is drawing current.

Note: You have to make sure that your controller's 14-30P neutral is
actually present. Measure voltage between a HOT an neutral and you shoul=
=3D
d
get 120V, otherwise the above would not work, your Evenheat needs that
neutral and one HOT to get 120V.=3D20

The above is what I'd do, I am not suggesting you should try it !!

Guillermo







=3D20=3D20=3D20=3D20=3D20=3D20=3D20


=3D20


On Tue, 28 Jun 2011 08:50:53 -0400, John Post =
=3D
wrote:

>Kiln Paragon Model A-66-B
>Volts 120/240/3W
>Amps 15
>Watts 3600
>Phase 1 50-60 A.C. Cycle only

>Nema 14-30P plug
>
>Kiln Evenheat Model 810
>Hertz 60
>Amps 18
>Volts 120
>Watts 2160
>
>I have a Paragon model A-66-B kiln. I have it on a 30 amp breaker and
>plug it into an electric kiln controller and it works great.
>
>I recently picked up an Evenheat Model 810 kiln at an auction (impulse
>buy, brand new, no one bid it on it but me). It too needs a 30 amp
>breaker. The plug on the Evenheat is not a Nema 14-30P. It is a
>standard household plug with ground.
>
>The specs for each kiln are above. I am wondering if there is a way
>to run the Evenheat on the kiln controller and circuit that I already
>have for the Paragon. Could it be as simple as swapping out the
>Evenheat plug for a Nema 14-30P plug? Any help would be appreciated.
>
>Thanks,
>
>John Post
>Sterling Heights, Michigan
>
>http://www.johnpost.us
>
>Follow me on Twitter
>https://twitter.com/UCSArtTeacher

Arnold Howard on tue 28 jun 11


On 6/28/2011 7:50 AM, John Post wrote:
> The specs for each kiln are above. I am wondering if there is a way
> to run the Evenheat on the kiln controller and circuit that I already
> have for the Paragon. Could it be as simple as swapping out the
> Evenheat plug for a Nema 14-30P plug?

John, I would change the plug on the Evenheat to a 14-30P. (It would be
a good idea to verify that with Evenheat.)

I am glad your A-66B is doing well. It is an old classic.

Sincerely,

Arnold Howard
Paragon Industries, L.P., Mesquite, Texas USA
ahoward@paragonweb.com / www.paragonweb.com