RampMaster II Operating Manual
RMII – Aug. 2015
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Kiln Troubleshooting Continued from Previous Page
A failed relay (fails to close) reduces the heat produced. While a relay failure acts like an element failure, a relay is not visible. If the heating elements
appear to be intact replace the relay.
Kiln won’t stop firing (won’t shut off)
Error Codes associated with a kiln not shutting off are E– 2 or E-4 or E– d.
Most likely a failed relay (failed closed). A failed relay may cause the kiln temperature to increase when it should be decreasing. Depending upon your
particular kiln model you may see up to 6 relays used in its design. Identifying the failed relay is fairly simple as the element connected to it will remain on.
Unplug the kiln and remove the kiln control panel. Simply follow the element leads to the relay to identify it. Relays are maintenance items and we
recommend replacing all of them when needing to replace one.
Check your program. While you won’t see the error codes if you’ve programmed incorrectly this problem is possible.
Fail is Displayed
The thermocouple (temperature sensor) circuit is faulty. The thermocouple circuit is broken at some point, usually the thermocouple itself. The
thermocouple circuit consists of the thermocouple, any connecting blocks and the thermocouple lead wire connecting to the RampMaster II.
Circuit Protection Opens (“Blown” Breaker or Fuse)
Circuit protection can open for various reasons. The BIG TWO are a short circuit and overheating. We’ll look at each separately.
Short circuits occur when line voltage finds it’s way to another line or ground. They are usually violent occurrences with lots of noise, flashes of light and
maybe a bit of smoke! During a short circuit the amperage goes very high. This increase in amperage exceeds your breaker/fuse rating which causes them
to open (“blow”).
That’s exactly why they’re there
. Short circuits generally happen immediately upon plugging the kiln in or running the firing. They
generally do NOT happen after the kiln has been on for some time.
Overheating of the breakers/fuses can cause them to open (“blow”). Overheating needs time to happen. If the kiln is running fine for a while and then the
breakers or the fuses open we can be fairly confident that the problem is overheating and not a short circuit. Overheating reduces the amount of
amperage a breaker/fuse will allow to pass before it opens. Overheating is caused by many factors, the most common are: loose wire connections at the
breakers/fuses, the size of the wire “feeding” the kiln is too small, the electrical receptacle is faulty or breaker/fuse is faulty.
Reasons for a Failed Heating Element
Element failure is usually from contamination. Contamination is stuff like clay bits, splattered glaze, prop sand etc. that finds its way into the element
groove. If you do have an element failure, double check the groove at the point of failure. Remove power form the kiln and attempt to remove any debris
from the groove with a sharp tool. Not doing so may allow the debris to destroy the replacement element.
Reasons for a Failed Relay
Relays are the switches that turn the heating elements on and off. They are moving parts and they’re working all the time. Long, slow firings make the
relays work more which shortens their overall lifespan. Relay replacement is expected at some point.
