Kizzy on mon 19 jul 99
Hi,
I belong to a potters guild and we have a problem. Things have got mixed
together in the equipment room when a well meaning freind replaced kiln
elements. Now I can't tell which ones are meant for which kiln. One takes 9
amps(?) one takes 30 and we also have 24s and 22s. I know what kiln
currently operating need what, but I can't ID all of the elements.
I don't want to mess with what I don't know yet.
Some of them are quite old and were marked with tape which has brittled and
fallen away. When we have repair problems, we call in a pro. One person we
did ask said it's impossible to tell what they are. There's quite a bit of
money tied up here, I'd say a good $600. Our group has undergone a major
changeovers in the past 2 years and a lot of knowledge has moved on with the
former members. Needless to say we're making sure that this doesn't happen
again =)
Any suggestions?
thank you
K.L.
LunaRayven Dreams Fine Pottery and Gifts
Don't Just Follow Your Dreams...Capture Them!
http://www.angelfire.com/bc/potter/index.html
David Woodin on tue 20 jul 99
The first thing to do is measure the resistance of the elements with an ohm
meter, then look on the nameplate of the different kilns and find out how
many amps it draws. If you have the instruction manuals it will tell you
whether the elements are in series or parallel. Then it becomes more
difficult and you can email me for more information.
David
Craig Martell on tue 20 jul 99
Hi:
>One takes 9 amps(?) one takes 30 and we also have 24s and 22s. I >know what
>kiln currently operating need what, but I can't ID all of the >elements.
In regard to the above, do you mean amps, or ohms? Amps measures current
flow and ohms is a measure of resistance. Every kiln should, and most do,
come with manuals that tell what the resistance of the elements is in ohms.
So, you could then use a volt/ohmeter to measure the resistance of the
elements and match them to the specifications of the kiln. You can purchase
a volt/ohmeter at Radio Shack for cheap. Usually about half the cost of one
element. When you measure the elements for an ohm value of resistance, lay
them out somewhere so that they are straight and not overlapped or coiled.
You will get an incorrect reading if the resistance is not measured from one
end of the element to the other. If you can't find specs for your kiln, you
can use the volt/ohmeter to measure the resistance of the elements in each
kiln. Make sure that the switches are set in the "off" position when you
take a reading, and place the probes on each end of the element so you are
measuring resistance through the entire length of the element. Also, as
elements age the original resistance value changes so you'll need to factor
that in. It's not a lot usually so if you get a reading close to one of
your new elements, it's probably the right one. Top and bottom elements
have more resistance than the center zone elements too as they are usually
designed to fire a bit hotter. I am speaking of decagon kilns like Skutts
in this case.
regards, Craig Martell in Oregon
Gary Elfring on wed 21 jul 99
>I belong to a potters guild and we have a problem. Things have got
mixed
>together in the equipment room when a well meaning freind replaced
kiln
>elements. Now I can't tell which ones are meant for which kiln. One
takes 9
>amps(?) one takes 30 and we also have 24s and 22s. I know what kiln
>currently operating need what, but I can't ID all of the elements.
>I don't want to mess with what I don't know yet.
Assuming the element lengths are all the same, you can measure the
diameter
of the wire with a simple plastic dial guage to the nearest 1/100 of
an inch.
These guages cost about $19 at big chain hardware stores. I would
assume
the larger diameter wire was for higher currents.
If you know someone with a good voltmeter (Radio Shack sells digital
meters
for $19 - $29 and I can't see how you can repair an electric kiln
without one)
you can also measure the resistance of the elements. You need good
alligator
clips on the end of the voltmeter probes, and measure on the lowest
resistance
scale. The lower the resistance, the higher the current will be.
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James Blossom on sat 24 jul 99
You could use a multimeter to measure the resisatance of the elements.
Those meant for higher Amps should have a lower Ohmic reading.
-----Original Message-----
From: Kizzy
To: CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU
Date: Monday, July 19, 1999 10:24 AM
Subject: Identifying Elements
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>Hi,
>
>I belong to a potters guild and we have a problem. Things have got mixed
>together in the equipment room when a well meaning freind replaced kiln
>elements. Now I can't tell which ones are meant for which kiln. One takes 9
>amps(?) one takes 30 and we also have 24s and 22s. I know what kiln
>currently operating need what, but I can't ID all of the elements.
> I don't want to mess with what I don't know yet.
>
>Some of them are quite old and were marked with tape which has brittled and
>fallen away. When we have repair problems, we call in a pro. One person we
>did ask said it's impossible to tell what they are. There's quite a bit of
>money tied up here, I'd say a good $600. Our group has undergone a major
>changeovers in the past 2 years and a lot of knowledge has moved on with
the
>former members. Needless to say we're making sure that this doesn't happen
>again =)
>
>Any suggestions?
>thank you
>
>K.L.
>LunaRayven Dreams Fine Pottery and Gifts
>Don't Just Follow Your Dreams...Capture Them!
>http://www.angelfire.com/bc/potter/index.html
>
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