advice on 3.6 kw kiln

[sunshinewelly]

My wife has a kiln and its been in use for around 5 months without any issues.

its a 3.6 kw kiln and is single phase and came with standard CE standard plug (13amp plug)

I noticed on the weekend that the socket i use for the kiln has started going slightly brown (live socket)

Looking at the manufacturers specs it must be pulling 15 amps which surely is too high for a standard socket.

the sockets are quite old and i am wondering if its a case of simply replacing the socket or do i need to do anything else - ie run it from its own separate ring

its never tripped my circuit board

 

[EFLImpudence]

As you say and have discovered, it is too much for a normal plug.

It should be on a separate circuit (not a ring) with at least 16A capacity and protective device.

 

[sunshinewelly]

Its odd that its fitted with a standard plug. The higher wattage kilns in the range have a round 3 pinned blue plug

 

[sunshinewelly]

also is there a reason why the kiln is not tripping my fuse box?

 

[Taylortwocities]

also is there a reason why the kiln is not tripping my fuse box?

Yes, if it is plugged into a socket on a ring final circuit then the fuse/MCB will probably be 32amps, so a 15amp load will not be enough to trip the fuse/MCB.

The current limiting device is the 13amp fuse in the plug, That will not blow with a load of 15amps. In fact it will not blow with a sustained load of even 20amps.

As you have found, the plug (and the socket) are not designed to carry a sustained load of 15amps. They will overheat and fail, and you don't want that.
And a load of that size should not be connected to a standard domestic ring final circuit.

as above. you solution is

It should be on a separate circuit (not a ring) with at least 16A capacity and protective device.

 

[EFLImpudence]

Yes 15A will not trip a, presumably if it's a standard ring circuit, 32A MCB -

nor a 13A fuse - they just don't work like that.

 

[sunshinewelly]

does anyone have any idea how much it costs to fit a new circuit.

I assume this task is notifiable under the new regulations - what does that actually mean?

 

[EFLImpudence]

does anyone have any idea how much it costs to fit a new circuit.

Not really. It depends on the house and where it is.
Is the kiln near the consumer unit?

I assume this task is notifiable under the new regulations - what does that actually mean?

It is.

It means the Local Authority must be notified.
If you employ a registered electrician he can do it for you at little cost.

If you do it the fee is anything from 200 to 400 depending on where you live.

 

[sunshinewelly]

Will I have to have the consumer unit replaced as it's quite old with fuses etc or can a rcd be fitted to the new ring

 

[EFLImpudence]

It won't be a ring; just a radial circuit (single cable).

It will require an RCD but you can have an RCD fitted just for the new circuit.

 

[sunshinewelly]

the general advice though with kilns is not to fit an rcd as they use variable power and this can cause issues with an RCD

also on the kilns accessories it came with a blue plug which they say should be used if the kiln is a higher wattage one ie over 5kw.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/abb-strai...gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CMG9ye29r9YCFSWN7QodbnkBFg

(one of those above)

the 3.6 one uses a normal plug - it was an EU molded plug but i replaced that wiith a high quality uk plug

the leads however are plug in so i could simply replace the current lead with one with a blue connector



does that change anything so far as what i can do.

i basically dont want to have to spend any more than i have to

 

[JohnD]

they use variable power and this can cause issues with an RCD

A cooker uses variable power. So does a washing machine or a tumble drier or a fridge.

Where did you get the idea that a heating appliance should not be on an RCD protected circuit?

 

[Taylortwocities]

the general advice though with kilns is not to fit an rcd as they use variable power and this can cause issues with an RCD

Thats a load of cr@p. Where did this "general advice" come from?

the leads however are plug in so i could simply replace the current lead with one with a blue connector

Not connected to a ring final you cannot. They do not have a fuse!
One of those usually goes on the end of a separate circuit with suitable current protection at the source end (eg a 16amp MCB in the consumer unit)

Note that "blue" is not a current rating. If you mean the IEC connectors like this

then the rating is often 16amp. But you can also get red ones rated for 16amp, some with 3 and some with 4 pins.

You need a new separate 16A radial circircuit with suitable socket on it.

 

[JohnD]

the 3.6 one uses a normal plug - it was an EU molded plug but i replaced that wiith a high quality uk plug

What did the manufacturer's fitted plug look like?

Which country was the supplier in?

 

[sunshinewelly]

thanks everyone for the advice - so just to recap when i speak to a electrian i am asking him to run a new 16A radial circuit from my existing consumer unit and at the other end i assume i need the kiln hard wired at the other end ?
where does the RCD GO

https://www.claymansupplies.co.uk/content/1/uploads/productinfo/kiln buying guide - april 2016.pdf



the manufactuurers of many kilns sugggest not to use an RCD as bisque firing casuses issues with an RCD. a quick look on ceramic forums also confirm the same

its all news to me -its my wifes kiln and i have somehow become the kiln technician