pdp1@EARTHLINK.NET on thu 30 dec 04
Hi Linda,
I think that would be a kind thing to do...
Too, it may also be appropriate for Electrical codes for
some areas anyway, to do so. They tend to be used where
Water is a possibility.
For those as may be new to the term, a "GFI" ( at least to
my likely imperfect memory ) is a "Ground Fault Interrupter"
which protects one from recieving a shock in the event one
inadvertantly uses one's self to complete a ground circuit,
or, it protects appliances or other devices should a ground
fault or a short occur.
I have never had them, but I remember hearing about
them...they became common for Kitchens and Bathrooms of new
Construction...
I do not know about them being conveniently available for
other than 110 -115 Volt, 15 Amp, sorts of lighting
circuits...but maybe they are...cost more that way of
course, for higher ratings, if they are available...
Phil
el ve
----- Original Message -----
From: "Linda Ferzoco"
> I'm wondering if the whole studio shouldn't be on GFI
circuits. Is that ok
> with the kilns, etc.?
>
> Linda,
> gathering info for her own studio space
Mark Tigges on thu 30 dec 04
On Thu, Dec 30, 2004 at 04:14:48PM -0800, pdp1@EARTHLINK.NET wrote:
> I do not know about them being conveniently available for
> other than 110 -115 Volt, 15 Amp, sorts of lighting
> circuits...but maybe they are...cost more that way of
> course, for higher ratings, if they are available...
>
Linda (below) asked about GFI, philip answered as above (partly).
Having just finished remonovating my bathroom, and halfway through the
kitchen ... the GFCIs are only (by code) required around here for
appliance outlets in the bathroom. Like, shaver outlets. If all you
had was a shaver, no big deal IMO, unlikely to have you in the circuit
if you short it by dropping it in water ... but people tend to plug
hair dryers in these outlets. Much higher current, much more
dangerous.
As Philip mentions, I don't think it's practical or even necessary to
use a GFI on the whole studio. If you have a reasonably sized kiln
it's probably drawing > 60 amps meaning you probably have the whole
studio on a separate 100 amp service, I'm not even sure you CAN get a
GFI at that amperage, let alone what the cost might be. But they are
advisable anywhere there might be water spillage (read ... your
wheel). But that's ok. You can just use a GFCI outlet on the two or
three outlets that will be used in areas where spillage may occur.
These are only marginally more expensive (about twice the price of
regular outlets) compared to the whole project, and will save your
life in the wrong situation.
This thread has made me realize I really should put a GFCI outlet on
the plug where my wheel is.
But at 240volts and 40 amps I'm not going to worry about my kiln
because a) I'm not going to spill around it when it's on because I'm
only ever there to check cones, and b) if they're available, they'll be
prohibitively expensive.
But ... as I've been following this thread actively, and it hasn't
been mentioned ... I would seriously look into getting a completely
new service to your new studio from your electricity utility company.
This is THE MOST ANNOYING problem with my space. I do not have enough
current for a non-trivially sized kiln. If your property is on 100
amps which is normal (around here anyways) then splitting it between
your studio and your house means that when you run the kiln you will
not want to run either your stove or your dryer or both. My studio
needs 40 amps when I'm running the kiln. For the kiln I would like, I
would need to ensure that no large electric appliances run during a
firing, impractical with renters. So my advice for your dream studio
on a residential property, look into a seperate electricity
service.
Best regards,
Mark.
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Linda Ferzoco"
>
>
> > I'm wondering if the whole studio shouldn't be on GFI
> circuits. Is that ok
> > with the kilns, etc.?
> >
> > Linda,
> > gathering info for her own studio space
>
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> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
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Cindy on fri 31 dec 04
Phil is right . . . ground fault interrupter. But you don't have to make
each outlet a GFI for the circuit to be protected. That's a good thing,
because they cost around $15 each. Code requires GFI outlets near any wet
area, bathroom, kitchen, etc., but for other situations, you can just make
the first outlet on the circuit a GFI, and the whole circuit will be
protected. Make sure to read and understand the instructions accurately,
though, because it is possible to set up a GFI outlet so that it doesn't
affect the rest of the circuit. I haven't seen any for 220 outlets, but I
believe you can buy a GFI circuit breaker for 220 circuits.
Cindy in SD
> Hi Linda,
>
>
> I think that would be a kind thing to do...
>
> Too, it may also be appropriate for Electrical codes for
> some areas anyway, to do so. They tend to be used where
> Water is a possibility.
>
> For those as may be new to the term, a "GFI" ( at least to
> my likely imperfect memory ) is a "Ground Fault Interrupter"
> which protects one from recieving a shock in the event one
> inadvertantly uses one's self to complete a ground circuit,
> or, it protects appliances or other devices should a ground
> fault or a short occur.
>
> I have never had them, but I remember hearing about
> them...they became common for Kitchens and Bathrooms of new
> Construction...
>
> I do not know about them being conveniently available for
> other than 110 -115 Volt, 15 Amp, sorts of lighting
> circuits...but maybe they are...cost more that way of
> course, for higher ratings, if they are available...
>
>
>
> Phil
> el ve
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Linda Ferzoco"
>
>
> > I'm wondering if the whole studio shouldn't be on GFI
> circuits. Is that ok
> > with the kilns, etc.?
> >
> > Linda,
> > gathering info for her own studio space
>
>
____________________________________________________________________________
__
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
>
Linda Ferzoco on fri 31 dec 04
I think that I'll specify GFI/GCFI circuits for all of the receptacles
around the studio where I might plug in a mixer, for instance, to mix glaze.
I see folks mix glaze at school with an old hand-held electric mixer, near
the sink to boot and it makes me crazy (er). I'll definitely specify that
the wheel be on a GFI/GCFI, but the info about the kilns, vents, exhaust
fans, etc. makes sense.
Linda
Pacifica, California
Ivor and Olive Lewis on sun 2 jan 05
I had GFI installed when we had a 240 volt new switchboard for the
House and included it in the power line to the Studio, which was being
installed at the same time. Seemed a wise thing to do. But it is not
linked to anything other than power appliance circuits for the house.
Best regards,
Ivor Lewis.
Redhill,
S. Australia.
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