Service manual

Setting Up the Kiln
Electrical Installation
You must plug your kiln into a circuit that no other appli
-
ance uses while the kiln is firing. Turn off the circuit breaker
or unscrew the fuse for the circuit that your kiln will be
plugged into. Check to see if other appliances shut off too. If
that circuit powers appliances that
must remain on while the kiln is fir
-
ing, plug your kiln into a different
circuit.
Note: 120 volt kilns: avoid ex
-
tension cords if possible. If you
must use one, never use one
smaller than 12 gauge and lon
-
ger than 20 feet. Never plug it
into a ceiling outlet!
Voltage fluctuation can vary firing time from as little as
half to more than twice the average time. If the voltage is too
low, the kiln may never reach full temperature.
The receptacle must have a separate safety grounding
wire. This protects you from serious electrical shock.
Changing the cord plug will void your warranty!
The Kiln Stand
Find a fire-
proof surface for
your Caldera. We
recommend a
large ceramic
shelf. You will
find four insulat
-
ing firebricks
packed with your
Caldera. Place
these under the
kiln.
Caution: The blocks MUST be under the kiln dur
-
ing firing. They help dissipate heat from under the
kiln.
Seating the Elements
Shipping may dislodge the elements of your kiln. Please
perform the kitchen knife test to make sure the elements are
seated in their grooves.
Kitchen Knife Test
Caution: Always unplug kiln before touching an el
-
ement with anything.
Note: Touch only a cold element—never a hot
one—with a plastic object such as a comb. Plastic
will melt on and ruin a hot element.
Press the elements
into their grooves by run
-
ning a blunt kitchen
knife, plastic comb or
similar blunt object
completely around each
groove. Do this before
the first firing, because it
may not be evident to the
eye whether the coil is in
its groove. If the element
doesn’t lie flat in the bot
-
tom of its groove, you
needn’t be concerned as
long as the element fits
all the way back into each
corner and doesn’t bulge
outside the groove.
Before the kiln is fired there is no danger of breaking the
elements. After firing, however, the elements must be re
-
seated if they bulge out of the groove. See “Reseating a
Bulging Element,” page 18.
Where to Locate the Kiln
1 Place your kiln in a well ventilated, covered and pro-
tected area such as the garage, basement, utility or
hobby room.
Note: Some people keep their kiln outside on a cov-
ered patio. This is okay so long as the kiln is not sub-
jected to excessive humidity or rain.
2 Remove gasoline, paint, and other flammable
materials from the kiln room.
3 Provide a minimum of 12 inches clearance between
kiln and the closest wall.
4 Never allow the room temperature of your firing
room to exceed 100 - 110° F. Measure the tempera
-
ture about 3 feet from the kiln. If necessary, use fans
to lower room temperature.
5 Keep the kiln away from curtains or other combusti
-
ble materials.
6 Position kiln on a level, fire-proof surface. We rec
-
ommend an 18” x 18” piece of sheet metal or a large
ceramic kiln shelf.
7 Keep unsupervised children away.
8 Keep the power supply cord away from the kiln case.
There is little danger of serious burn from accidental
contact if you exercise the same caution you would use with
an electric iron.
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