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Kiln Pointers
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When a Firing Takes Too Long |
When your kiln takes too long to fire, it is not always because of worn heating elements. Low voltage can double firing time. Electrical current in most of the United States is so reliable we take it for granted. Voltage levels rise and fall regularly, though usually not enough to matter. When it drops too low, however, problems arise. Autry, a master electrician, described one of his experiences. In a customer's home, light bulbs kept burning out, and the air conditioner and other appliances did not operate properly. He took a voltage reading from the receptacles in their home. "There is nothing I can do to help you," he told his customer. "Your problem is low voltage." The power company insisted that the voltage in that home was normal. Eventually, a power company supervisor met Autry at the customer's home with a voltage recorder. The supervisor recorded 190 volts for a 240 volt system. "That was the lowest voltage drop I had ever encountered," Autry said. The power company changed the transformer to raise the voltage. Some power companies do not have enough generating capacity to correct low voltage. In those cases, changing the power transformer won't help. A maintenance supervisor of a school called us because his Paragon kilns were not reaching firing temperature. Voltage was low. Yet the kilns were the least of his problems. "What I'm worried about are the motors that keep burning up around here," he said. His local power company did not have enough generators to raise voltage. Voltage commonly drops during periods of heavy electrical demand, such as summer. In Dallas, voltage drops during summer days between 4:30 and 8:30 p.m. This is when people come home from work and turn on air conditioners. During these hours, voltage can drop from 240 to as low as 190. Utility companies kick in extra generators during peak periods to raise voltage. To help further, some high rise buildings cut back air conditioning during summertime peak demand. Air conditioners in the building are timed to turn on in rotation. One will stay on for, say, fifteen minutes while the others are shut down. When that one shuts off, another will turn on. This keeps the temperature at a tolerable level throughout the building. ------------ BOOK REVIEWS WELCOME If you have a moment, please visit Paragon's book page: http://www.paragonweb.com/Books_and_Videos.cfm (Visit www.paragonweb.com. Select Products, then Books and Videos from the drop menu.) Have I left out any important books or videos? I welcome book reviews. Just hit "Return" to send to me. ------------- I hope you are staying cool this summer. The temperature here is 103 degrees F. I will be digging fence post holes later today. It is arduous work but great exercise. With best wishes, Arnold Howard Paragon Industries, L.P. - Better Designed Kilns 2011 South Town East Blvd. Mesquite, TX 75149-1122 Voice: 972-288-7557 & 800-876-4328 / Fax: 972-222-0646 ahoward@paragonweb.com / www.paragonweb.com PRIVACY NOTICE: Under no circumstance do we share or sell your email address. Copyright 2006, by Paragon Industries, L.P. |
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“Custom and standard Kilns and Industrial Furnaces for ceramics, pottery, heat treating, enameling, |
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