[Tom]

To Beans. I am firing a kiln at 240 volts with 208 elements and keep it that way. The area I live in has some power issues and sometimes the kiln couldn't complete its firing with the 240 elements. I get about 2 years out of the elements firing a couple times a month and keep an extra set around for the burn outs. enjoy the frying. replacing elements is not as hard as I have been told it is. just unplug the kiln first.

[neilestrick]

Tom, on 26 January 2013 - 12:39 AM, said:

To Beans. I am firing a kiln at 240 volts with 208 elements and keep it that way. The area I live in has some power issues and sometimes the kiln couldn't complete its firing with the 240 elements. I get about 2 years out of the elements firing a couple times a month and keep an extra set around for the burn outs. enjoy the frying. replacing elements is not as hard as I have been told it is. just unplug the kiln first.

I've had several customers that have the same problem with low voltage. When it gets down into the 220's it can cause problems with high firings, so switching to 208 is the solution.

[Beans]

Thanks Tom and Neil, I'll just fire with the 208's until they die. I will get a replacement set to have on hand. I doubt I'll fire more than every other month, not much time to make stuff with a full time job + side jobs.

Jilly

[Ander3434]

Beans, on 25 January 2013 - 09:31 PM, said:

[

Quote

quote name='neilestrick' date='25 January 2013 - 06:18 PM' timestamp='1359155921' post='28512']
Those elements will be running hotter than they are intended, so their life will be shortened. It shouldn't hurt anything, though. Go ahead and use them till they fry.

Thanks Neil, that's what I had figured. I will commence with frying!

Jilly
[/quote]

Hi Jilly,
I'm a potter in Utah with a skutt 1227 single phase 240 that I need to convert to 208 three phase. If I'm understanding you right, we may be able to just swap controllers. Any interest? Janderpots at gmail.com

[neilestrick]

Ander3434, on 31 January 2013 - 10:57 PM, said:

Beans, on 25 January 2013 - 09:31 PM, said:

[

Quote

quote name='neilestrick' date='25 January 2013 - 06:18 PM' timestamp='1359155921' post='28512']
Those elements will be running hotter than they are intended, so their life will be shortened. It shouldn't hurt anything, though. Go ahead and use them till they fry.

Thanks Neil, that's what I had figured. I will commence with frying!

Jilly

Hi Jilly,
I'm a potter in Utah with a skutt 1227 single phase 240 that I need to convert to 208 three phase. If I'm understanding you right, we may be able to just swap controllers. Any interest? Janderpots at gmail.com
[/quote]

Changing voltage only requires an element change, not the control box. The digital controller itself actually runs on low voltage, and is the same for all wiring configurations.

[High Bridge Pottery]

I am having this problem right now, bought a second hand custom made single phase electric kiln (UK) but when our electrician was wiring it into the studio he said the internal wiring was three phase.
Emailed back the guy who sold us the kiln who said the woman he acquired it from only had single phase power, so it is all a bit confusing. That is why I am here for some help.
Not had a chance to speak to the electrician and no idea when he is coming back because this is all organized through the local council. Had single phase wiring put in with a 32A isolator switch. Kiln is 6kw.

Does anybody have an answer if it is three or single phase? Here are some pictures. If you need any more info I can try too help. (fixed the picture size)

Wires for the plug, two black, 1 red, 1 blue and 1 yellow and green
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[neilestrick]

No clue what's going on there. 5 wires for the plug?!?

[High Bridge Pottery]

I have no idea why there are 5, the yellow and green attaches to the back of the board so I assume that is the earth. The four other cables come in and split of to four different ceramic bridge looking bits. Then go from there to two different little boxes, which look like transformers then on to the elements. Many more problems setting up a pottery than I imagined but I am loving it

[neilestrick]

How many prongs on the plug? Digital controller or manual switches?

[High Bridge Pottery]

Three prongs on the plug with a digital controller. Have attached it too the plug and are now into the second firing, she reaches temperature quickly and works well.

Who knows why it had the 5 wires because it works fine on single phase, maybe it is so they can share the load and if it was three phase there would have been a live wire missing.

Thank you for the help anyway