Installing a Kiln

[vulpes]

I apologise in advance for what will probably seem like a fairly stupid enquiry

ok so I have purchased a kiln (not picked it up yet), the ones I was originally looking at were 13amp plug in ones as thats what was within my budget but then I spotted a larger one at a bargain price and I couldn't resist only thing is its 20amps, I didn't really think much of it at the time I figured it would be just like a cooker so no worries right? er yeah today the rose tinted glasses are off and I'm wondering what its going to take to install, as in how difficult is it, what kind of disruption is it going to cause (I mean will the electrician be ripping into walls or something?), how difficult it'll be to move, if it will horrendously expensive (not expecting an exact quote or anything just general advice?)?


one site lists it as :
Voltage: 240 Volts
Amperes: 20 amps
Watts: 4,800 Watts

another lists it as:
Voltage:230
Amperes:21
Watts:4,800

I think the first one is correct but I have no idea if it will make much of a difference

I have a horrible feeling I'm going to have to sell it and try and get a smaller one that runs on 13amp but I hope not as I'll loose half the volume of kiln space at best and its likely to cost me a lot more than this one (it really was a bargain and less than half price)

I have read that the kiln I have bought (Paragon Fusion 8 ) can be adapted and run off 13amps but it doesn't heat properly

anyway I apologise again fir the daft questions, I hope someone can give me some advice though

 

[holmslaw]

..

 

[Taylortwocities]

Is the kiln going in the house, or outside?
You'll need a new circuit for the kiln. 20amp will probably be enough.

Adding a new circuit will cost a fair bit. More than you saved by getting the 20A kiln, I would think

 

[vulpes]

thanks for the replies

not sure where I'm going to put it really depends on what is easiest/ most feasible, I might be cheeky and see if I can put it in the OH parents garage, its huge and they really only use it for storage/the deep freezer otherwise it'll be indoors

and I paid £500 for a £1000+ kiln, the next size down which is the biggest 13amp I've seen but around half the size and would cost me £700+ so an extra £200

if its really gonna cost me that much then I'll have to consider selling it, but I'll be gutted, I want to slump bottles and I just don't think any of the 13amps are big enough for that which is a shame

but a 20amp is no good for me if I can't get it to work

 

[RF Lighting]

It's difficult to say without seeing your installation, but I would have thought that £200 should be enough to have an electrician install a dedicated 20A supply for you

 

[ban-all-sheds]

TBH it doesn't sound like the sort of thing you want indoors anyway.

But if you put it in the in-laws garage, how will it be powered there?

 

[Lectrician]

If the consumer unit is in the garage, it is not going to cost too much....

 

[flameport]

I might be cheeky and see if I can put it in the OH parents garage, its huge and they really only use it for storage/the deep freezer otherwise it'll be indoors

A 5kW kiln in your house is not feasible or desirable, due to the massive amount of heat which will be given off.
It's the garage or nowhere.

 

[vulpes]

thanks again guys

we have an extension on the house which is basically sort of half way between a garage and a room (concrete floors etc, if it was a tiny bit bigger and had a garage door on it it would be a garage), that is where I was thinking of putting it if it was going to end up indoors, there is nothing else in there except a coat rack and a fridge/freezer but that is getting moved soon anyway

don't worry I wasn't planning on putting it in the living room or anything

it looks like the OHs parents is more feasible though as OH is pretty sure they already have a 32amp circuit out to there although of course we will double check

you've all been very helpful and its appreciated

 

[Taylortwocities]

If it is a 32amp circuit it is very likely to be a ring final (eg feeding sockets)

If so you cannot connect the kiln to that. You will need a dedicated circuit rated at 20A or more.

 

[Stoday]

I have read that the kiln I have bought (Paragon Fusion 8 ) can be adapted and run off 13amps but it doesn't heat properly

Yes, you can.

There are three heating elements. Two are in the lid each take 7.5A. The third is around the sides and takes 5A. All you have to do is to disconnect one of the lid elements and the unit will take less than 13A.

You can download a circuit diagram here: Click

Should be dead easy and you should be able to reconnect if ever you get a circuit in that permits full power.