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electric protection for kilns

updated sat 5 jun 99

 

Stuart Altmann on wed 2 jun 99

L&L Kiln's web site indicates that an electric kiln should not be protected
by a circuit breaker, which unless greatly oversized will eventually weaken
under the continuous high loads, probably resulting in a power interruption
in the middle of a firing. Instead, the kiln should be protected by a 'one
time' general purpose fuse of appropriate size. A table of fuses is
provided on L&L's web site devoted to kiln maintenance,
.

So far, I've run my kiln through about 70 firings (^9-11, plus bisques) on
one circuit breaker without trouble. But why push my luck; time to change
to a fuse.

Stuart Altmann
email: salt@princeton.edu office 'phone: 609/258-4520

Sam Shuford on fri 4 jun 99

The biggest problem would be kiln NEAR the circuit breaker, as circuit
breakers trip when the current flow heats up the inner element. The heat
from the kiln could cause tripping of the breaker.

I do not think that current under the rated amount will cause premature
failure of the breaker. Please note though, DO NOT USE THE BREAKER AS A
SWITCH. This can cause the breaker to fail, that is not trip when it
should!
Sammy J. Shuford
Electronic / Electrical Repair
Samshuford@cchat.com