Overview of How the Controller Functions
You enter a program that tells the controller what temperature you want to fire to and at what rate you want the temperature to
rise. The controller uses a thermocouple (t/c) to sense the temperature in the kiln. The temperature is measured at the tip of
the t/c so it is important that the tip be 1½" to 2" inside the kiln wall. When “START” is pressed, the controller reads the kiln
temperature and uses that temperature as a starting point for a traveling set-point (also called the local set-point). The
controller then calculates how much power is needed to keep the temperature equal to the traveling set-point and cycles the
electricity to the elements so the correct amount of power is applied. As the firing progresses, the controller moves the
traveling set-point according to the programmed firing rate and recalculates how much power is needed to keep the
temperature at the new traveling set-point. This sequence continues until the final temperature is reached and the controller
turns off the kiln. For the controller to turn off the kiln both the temperature and the set-point must reach the final temperature.
There are two programming modes or methods. The cone fire method is the easiest to program and it is designed for firing
ceramics to ensure correct heat-work for each cone number and firing rate. The final temperature is adjusted up or down based
on the final heating rate to ensure the correct heat-work. The vary-fire mode allows more complicated profiles and more firing
freedom. Vary-fire programs contain up to 8 segments each segment containing a heating rate to a certain temperature and a
hold time. Vary-fire programs are used for firing such things as glass, jewelry, and crystalline glazes.
