L. P. Skeen on sun 29 jul 07
I missed the original post in this thread, but I shall add this warning: Be
abso-frickin-LOUTELY sure as shootin' the power is disconnected off the kiln
(preferably unplug the thing) before you go messing with the control panel
where the thermocouples live. Now re-read that sentence twice. I promise
you, if you do not, you will N O T be a happy camper. At the very least, it
will cost you the replacement of your control panel. Worst case, you could
die.
I needed to replace the thermocouple on my Oly oval once upon a time. My
friend the electrical contractor had hard-wired the kiln into the wall, so
no unplugging for me. I went to the fuse box where I THOUGHT the kiln was
wired - funnily enough, there was this button in there marked KILN - and
turned the power to OFF. Unbeknownst to moi, the landlord had had the kiln
wiring moved to a panel on the outside of the building. So when I thought
it was off, it weren't. ;(
I proceeded to sit in a metal folding chair beside the kiln and undo the
screws that held the control panel in place. Then I ever so gently pulled
said control panel towards me, and **BANG** there was a noise like a gun
shot in my face, an arc, and me literally flipping backwards over the chair
and landing on my ass on the concrete floor. (Any of you who've actually
ever SEEN me knows what a feat THAT was...) Apparently, as I pulled the
panel back, the thermocouple touched the kiln skin. I got lucky and didn't
die that time. My friend the electrical contractor made me swear never to
attempt anything electrical again.
So, at the risk of being a nag, go back to the top here, and read sentence
number two several times before you attempt kiln repair on your own.
Lisa
--
L. P. Skeen, Summerfield NC, USA
http://www.living-tree.net
Get your Clay Lover's Calendar at http://www.living-tree.net/calendar.htm
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