CAUTION INSTRUCTIONS FOR L&L KILNS
cautions.pdf
REV: 11/1/2016
Page 4
2016
L&L Kiln Mfg, Inc. 505 Sharptown Rd, Swedesboro NJ 08085 P:856.294.0077 F:856.294.0070 [email protected] hotkilns.com
5. CAUTION: It is critical that the hinge bar sits in the bottom
of slot. This is to allow the lid to rise and fall slightly as the
kiln heats and expands without putting stress on the lids
connection points and potentially damaging the lid.
THERMOCOUPLES
1. Thermocouples (in automatic kilns) must be inserted into
the kiln at least 1” (2.5 cm) in from the inside surface of the
kiln.
2. They must protrude into the kiln itself because, if
the measuring tip of the thermocouple is buried inside
the insulation, the thermocouple will measure a lower
temperature than the actual temperature in the kiln.
3. This could cause an overfire of the kiln.
4. Replace thermocouples once they are no longer
reasonably accurate. (Note: Type K thermocouples last
about the same as kiln elements so it is recommended to
change thermocouples when you change elements.)
USE THE SUPPLIED KILN STAND
1. Do not use kiln without the factory supplied stand.
2. Never set a kiln on a floor without significant air space
circulating under the kiln.
3. L&L stands typically raise the floor of the kiln by 8” (20
cm).
4. Using a proper stand is critical because, without a kiln
stand that moves the radiant heat of the kiln away from
the floor, some flooring could catch on fire. For instance,
over time the radiant heat from the kiln can cause wood to
lose its moisture and lower the autoignition temperature.
(The autoignition temperature is the specific temperature at
which a substance ignites and causes a fire.)
DON’T USE AN EXTENSION CORD
1. Never use an extension cord with your kiln. The extra
length of the wire could cause the cord to overheat and
catch on fire.
2. Extension cords, with their multiple connections and
potentially mismatched wire gauge for the load, could cause
a fire when used with a continuous resistive load like a kiln.
3. Locate the outlet close enough to the kiln to plug directly
into it with the kiln’s supplied power cord.
4. Kilns that pull over 48 amps and some three phase kilns
generally will not have a power cord. These kilns need to be
direct-wired in to the power supply.
POWER CORD MUST BE PROPERLY RATED
1. All L&L power cords are rated for 105°C (221°F).
2. Any cord temperature rating less than 105°C can cause
a malfunction and possible fire where the power leads
connect to the control box.
3. It is OK, and will not void the warranty, to remove the plug
that comes with the kiln and direct wire the kiln. However,
the connection wires must be rated for a minimum of 105°C
(221°F).
USE COPPER WIRE FOR HOOK UP
1. Do not use aluminum wire on the final connection to the
kiln.
2. The specific reason particular to kilns is that the wire
tends to get hotter near the kiln than it might going into
some other types of appliance.
3. Being a resistive load, there is constant heat being
generated by the conductors for quite a few hours. When
aluminum wire gets hot it accelerates oxidation. Aluminum
oxide is a resistor; copper oxide is not as much. If the
connection at the terminal board gets oxidized it will really
heat up - to the point where it could cause a fire.
4. Note: Depending on local codes it may be OK to use
aluminum wire to your subpanel - as long as that wire is not
exceeding its temperature rating while kiln is firing on full
power for an extended period of time.
PROTECT POWER CORD FROM KILN CASE
1. Route Power Cord (or electrical connection wires) away
from kiln in such a way that the wires can not touch the hot
case of the kiln.
2. Secure the cord so it can not move.
