Pots by Char Posted September 17, 2015 Report Share Posted September 17, 2015 can someone explain to me why kiln manufaturers are making kilns to be used in the home on regular household current (or advertised in that manner) with plugs that will not plug into a regular household plug? When I called the manufacturer I was told the receptical would need to be re-wired to fit the plug on the kiln. I live in an apartment complex. I simply can''t go around rewiring their electrical circuits. The breaker is a 20 amp breaker, 120 volts, 1 phase 60 hertz 2200 watts. and the kiln is an 18.3 amp kiln, all other stats are the same. I was also told, rather rudely I might add, that changing the plug on the kiln would void the warranty. When I asked why they were made that way I was told it was just the way they were made and to contact the distributor. I now have a rather expensive new kiln I can enjoy looking at but not use. I think their should be some changes in the way manufacturers make the kilns or in the way they advertise them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted September 17, 2015 Report Share Posted September 17, 2015 I cannot speak to plug configurations on kilns but can say something about outlets1st there are many different types of each and your 15 and 20 amp outlet can look the same or be different.Just google this for photos.If as you say your kiln draws 18.3 amps you really need a 20% safety factor which a 20 amp will not havebut setting this aside one can change out an outlet in less than a few minutes as long as you stay withing the wire amp rating.wires and outlets are complex and have so many uses-I have at least 5 kinds in my house and studio from ground fault to surge protection to slots that are different not parallel.Think of outlets like car tires -the choices are many.You just need another outlet-most likey its a staright replacement for one of your existing outlets. Most 20 amp otlets have a T slot on one side.Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timbo_heff Posted September 17, 2015 Report Share Posted September 17, 2015 The 2 different 110 plugs indicate different amperage on the circuit and also should indicate the wiring in the wall as well. The standard household outlet is for 15 amps max. Very few kilns can run on such a small amount of amperage. Household voltage kilns usually need a 20 amp breaker and circuit. Don't just change the 15 amp outlet to the 20 amp outlet willy-nilly : the wiring from the panel to that outlet may only accommodate 15 amps max. By pulling more amps than the wire can handle you are asking for trouble, like big trouble, like a fire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted September 17, 2015 Report Share Posted September 17, 2015 There are a lot of different plug/outlet configurations out there, and for whatever reason the kiln manufacturer has chose that configuration. Probably because the get those power cords cheaper. Changing out an outlet should not be an issue for your apartment complex. The bigger issue is whether or not they are okay with you having a kiln in your apartment. Call your super and ask him to change the outlet, first confirming that it is indeed on a 20 amp breaker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted September 17, 2015 Report Share Posted September 17, 2015 You will need to make sure that the wire size is #12 in wall as well not #14 as many 15 amp circuits are. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PRankin Posted September 17, 2015 Report Share Posted September 17, 2015 Mark, you just beat me to that. It is possible that the wiring is not #12 even though the circuit breaker is 20 amps. It's imperative that they match. And as for electrical code a 20 amp circuit is still not sufficient for an 18.3 amp kiln. Sorry, that 20% figure is correct although my brother the semi-retired electrician in NYC here insists its 25% for safety reasons. Changing the outlet is not a big deal but you should check about gauge of the wiring. I hope you find a happy solution to this problem even if it involves returning the kiln. Let us know what happens. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted September 17, 2015 Report Share Posted September 17, 2015 Paragon makes several small kilns that are in the 18 amp range that they say can run on a 20 amp circuit. Perhaps 120V lines have a different rule than 240V and the full 25% isn't necessary. I'm not sure. I'd have to check the code. Perhaps Arnold will chime in here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted September 18, 2015 Report Share Posted September 18, 2015 I checked out the NEC and as far as I can find it doesn't make any distinction between single pole and double pole circuits in the 125% rule for heating appliances. The rule is a minimum breaker of 125% of the draw, but no more than 150% of the draw (unless that puts you at a breaker size that doesn't exist, in which case you go to the next size up). So at 18.3 amps draw, it needs a 23 amp breaker, which doesn't exist so you go with a 25 if one is available for your system, or a 30, which also happens to cover the 150% rule. I see that one of the 18.3 amp Paragon models is shown to use a 20 amp circuit, and is UL listed. However, I don't know if UL confirms the recommended breaker size when issuing their listing. I'll PM Arnold if he doesn't show up soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dale pots Posted September 18, 2015 Report Share Posted September 18, 2015 Like Mark said you need a minimum #12 wire and that's if your distance isn't too long. Don't guess, electrical fires aren't good and you could be liable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pots by Char Posted September 22, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 22, 2015 I thank you all for your input. Although none of the suggestions can be implemented in an apartment complex ansd if the manufacturer refuses to change the plug I am simply stuck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldlady Posted September 23, 2015 Report Share Posted September 23, 2015 i installed a kiln in an apartment. the electrical panel for your apartment could be inside your own space. have an electrician look it over before you give up. yes, there was a hole in the wall where the thick cord came through but a little drywall patch when i moved out made it disappear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shead34 Posted September 28, 2015 Report Share Posted September 28, 2015 hello my name is Shea Doggett . i'm new on here so its nice to meet y'all . im a potter from Corpus Christi Texas. i have also been an electrician for 12 yrs and that's what i do to pay the bills. you cannot just change the plug to a 20 amp plug unless you know for sure that its a 20 amp breaker and 12 gauge wiring.if its a 15 amp circuit with 14 gauge wiring you could possibly start a fire. you need a dedicated 20 amp circuit for that size kiln. so if you did have a 20 amp circuit in your apt. more than likely you would have multiple things on that circuit running and would overload the amperage and trip breaker. unless you had all things on that circuit turned off while running the kiln was operating i hope that helps and again its nice to meet everyone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shead34 Posted September 28, 2015 Report Share Posted September 28, 2015 hello my name is Shea Doggett . i'm new on here so its nice to meet y'all . im a potter from Corpus Christi Texas. i have also been an electrician for 12 yrs and that's what i do to pay the bills. you cannot just change the plug to a 20 amp plug unless you know for sure that its a 20 amp breaker and 12 gauge wiring.if its a 15 amp circuit with 14 gauge wiring you could possibly start a fire. you need a dedicated 20 amp circuit for that size kiln. so if you did have a 20 amp circuit in your apt. more than likely you would have multiple things on that circuit running and would overload the amperage and trip breaker. unless you had all things on that circuit turned off while running the kiln was operating i hope that helps and again its nice to meet everyone also the reason the kiln comes with a cord like that is to make sure you dont plug it into a 15 amp circuit and burn your apt complex down. im not trying to be rude but its there to save you and your neighbors lives Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pots by Char Posted October 5, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2015 my question was not so much dierected to the plug or the wiring, but more directed toward the advertising, If you state that something will fit any household outlet, then don't you think that should be the case? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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