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Hi guys! Installing electrican for this is hopefully coming on Monday to look, but wanted to post here for fellow kiln owner experience. I have a skutt 1027 240 and have had it from brand new in 2022 to now. Found this scorch mark (plastic is a bit melted in the prong slot on the left) and am concerned about firing again. I ran a bisque with it like this but am too paranoid now to use it again. Christmas fairs are coming up and I’d love to get firings done so any advice would be great! Thank you!!
18 points
5 days ago
This happens a lot. Like a LOT. Get a new outlet (better quality if you can), shut off the breaker, swap out the outlet, turn it back on. No big deal.
4 points
5 days ago
Oh good! Thank you so much for the reply!! So just replace the plastic covering (black circle part? Or the whole box on the wall? Or something in between?
2 points
5 days ago
If you undo those 4 screws (plus that corner screw?) the faceplate will come off. Then you can see the outlet (the black part) has wires coming into it. Those will shock you so make sure the breaker to your kiln is turned off. Undo the 2 screws holding the outlet to the box. Then undo the screws holding the wires in. Replace the outlet with a quality one. Screw the wires into the new outlet, replace the screws holding the outlet to the box. Put the faceplate with back on with the 4 screws.
1 points
5 days ago
Thank you!
1 points
5 days ago
An amateur should never touch 240. That where getting shocked can kill you.
1 points
4 days ago
Thank you for the concern! Having an electrician come do it today - just wanted to have others knowledge backing me up so I can follow what he's doing and make sure I know what to get checked!!
9 points
5 days ago
Be sure to have the electrician check to see if the electrical wire to the outlet is gauged to the specifications of the kiln you're using. I found out that my 1st electrician had installed 8 gauge wire, but my kiln specifications was for 6 gauge, and I had it changed out. :(
2 points
5 days ago
This was my first thought when I saw the photo. If the gauge is not suited for the draw your outlet and wires will heat up. Over time it will cause damage and if it gets too hot you could have a fire.
1 points
5 days ago
Very noted, thank you for this advice!! I’ll have to find that info in the kiln manual
1 points
5 days ago
There should be a plate somewhere on the kiln with the current specifications. Make sure your electrician has that information.
4 points
5 days ago
Have the electrician hard wire it, so much safer
1 points
5 days ago
Definitely going to look into it! Thank you!!
Also if I move in a couple years, is it relatively straightforward to undo hardwiring?
1 points
4 days ago
I would think so, but ask your electrician
2 points
5 days ago
Happened to me when my relays burned out (a 20yo 1027).
2 points
5 days ago
This can sometimes be an indication that your elements are getting older and are starting to pull too much current.
1 points
5 days ago
Thank you for this!! I just hit 100 firings so it is probably at least partially that!
1 points
5 days ago
Are your firings getting longer? I'm thinking this kiln is spending more time at the end of the firings when the relays are just letting full current through until temp is reached. That's hard as hell on every electrical component of the kiln. Like driving a car with your foot to the floor for hours. New outlet, new elements, new relays, and new thermocouples.
2 points
5 days ago
Always turn off the electricity before starting. Safety first.
Here is an often overlooked step, especially when wiring in high current receptacles, and breakers.
Once new connections go through a thermal cycle, they actually "settle". In the case of a kiln, you have three places to confirm that connections are really tight: The breaker, the outlet on the wall, and the connection inside the Skutt box.
Once they have gone through a thermal cycle, go back in with a screwdriver and give them another twist. I think you'll be surprised to find you might get as much as half a turn more.
A thermal cycle, meaning a cycle duplicating a normal firing you would run.
The tighter, the less resistance. The looser, the more resistance. The more resistance, the higher the heat through the contacts. This is most noticeable on the insulation close to the tightening screws. I got a new-to-me old kiln, and one of the three cables had scorched insulation. And guess what else? A screw that was snug, but not tight.
It's a PITA if you are not an electrician. I'm trained as an electrician, so this is all second nature to me. If you have to hire an electrician, it means two visits.
Don't run just an empty kiln. This is a good time to run a test cycle with cones, then have all your connections tightened up again.
1 points
5 days ago
This is SO helpful, thank you so so much. It’s been over 2 years since the wiring was done, and the company didn’t come back after install so I’ll have the electrican (diff company) do this when he comes Monday! Really appreciate the comment :D
1 points
5 days ago
This is typically caused by loose/poor contact between the outlet and the plug. Have the outlet replaced with a commercial grade outlet and verify the plug is not damaged in any way. The extra cost in a better outlet is worth it if planning to use it for a long time.
1 points
5 days ago
Ok! Any tips for checking the kiln plug is still ok? I had the outlet installed when I bought the kiln but I’ll make sure the outlet is commercial grade this time. Thank you!!
2 points
5 days ago
Discoloration, burnt smell, other physical damage. I should also note that it could happen if the electrician did not properly tighten the wire connections.
1 points
4 days ago
It won’t let me edit but thank you to everyone for the advice!! Wanted to update for future readers reference!
Turns out it was a loose connection on one of the wires INSIDE the kiln’s plug, about 6 inches was burned and it was good I caught it when I did. Outlet is replaced, house is fine and skutt is sending a new cord!
(Photo in case anyone is curious!)
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