Question About Kiln

[born2snooze]

Hi everybody, I'm Edna from Canada, I'm a jewelry maker and just started lampworking for about 4 hours (!) ^..^ That will be the introduction class I took. I dont know if I will be good at this, but I know I want to do this. So I decided to set up my studio at home. I need help to choose the kiln. I bought my kiln already, its Jen-Ken Delux with digital controller, its for fusing and annealing. The thing is, I dont know yet if this is the one I want. I like the look of the AF99. The seller told me that the one I got is good for the price, size and the controller, and its approved ellectrically in Canada, and the AF99 is not. So, anybody from Canada know anything about this? Or anybody who has the Jen Ken, if you could share with me, that will be helpful. Please help! Thank you so much! ^..^

[MikeAurelius]

The reason one kiln is approved and another is not, is usually the amperage requirements. Canadian electrical authorities will only allow a maximum 12 amp device on a 120 volt service line.

The only way to get a larger sized kiln in Canada is to go with a 240 volt kiln, which would most likely require an electrician to wire if you don't already have 240 volt service in your house/studio.

[born2snooze]

Hi Mike, thank you for the reply. I need your opinion if you dont mind, I dont care about the size, I actually prefer them to be smaller and compact. I still can return the one I have if I want to, since I havent use it. The one I have is 120 volt, right? And so does the AF99? What will happen 'ellectrically' if I choose the AF99 instead?
I like the look of the AF99, but then again, I dont really want to go through the process of returning and waiting for the new kiln, unless its worth the hassle.
What is your opinion, if you were me (living in Canada), which one will you take? Keeping in mind that you like the look of the AF99, but you bought the Jen Ken already. I wonder if it will be better to keep the Jen Ken, or return it and buy the AF99 or any other kiln?
Sorry if my 'speaking' confuse you, I hope you understand what I mean. I'm Indonesian living in Canada. Please always forgive my English. ^..^

I hope you wont mind giving your opinion. I would love to start making beads and using the kiln soon. But I waited in case I decided to get the AF99 instead. Thank you!
-Edna-

[MikeAurelius]

Well, you won't be able to import the AF99 because of current/power requirements. Canadian electrical authorities have an absolute limit on "appliances" that use 120 volt (standard residential power), of 12 amps. The AF-99 draws 14 amps (in fact, strictly speaking, this kiln should be running on 20 Amp circuits in the United States, not the 15 amps that Arrow Springs suggests).

If you don't mind a little technical information, here's why: Most electrical devices have an average power draw. This is what is advertised when the manufacturer says "14 Amps" or "12 Amps". The problem is that when the unit is first turned on, or as the elements turn on (during heating on/off cycling), the actual initial current flow (called in-rush current) is higher, by as much as 20%. Some devices can be even higher. So the 14 Amp kiln may actually draw a momentary 16.8 amps during its cycling, whereas a 12 amp kiln will only draw 14.4 amps.

The canadian electrical code is much stricter about the 20% rule than the United States is, and allow only those devices that will not exceed the rated maximum of 15 amps.

Because of this, you should not consider the AF99. Keep the Jen Ken.

If you want some other options, I strongly suggest you contact Jean at Nortel in Toronto. She's been working with a number of kiln manufacturers and suppliers. She's the one who informed me about the electrical power issue.

(Postscript: Arrow Springs DOES make several 240 volt kilns: the 1313, the 1813, and the 1818. However, there is a cost to going this route: the need for an electrician AND the price of the kiln itself.)

[born2snooze]

Dear Mike,

thank you for your kind reply. I just need help to make up my mind. I actually got the Jen Ken from Jean at Nortel! ^..^ And also all my other tools and supplies.

Corina told me that I need to think about the digital controller too, the Jen Ken have the permanent controller, so, if its break down, I had to bring the whole thing for service. So I need to choose a kiln with I guess 'detachable' digital controller.

Do you know if there any kiln that is small, preferably square, have detachable digital controller and works with Canadian ellectrical requirements?

If you dont mind, may I know what kind of kiln you are using?
I almost make up my mind, thanks to your help, but I still want to clear some curiousity in my head. I hope you dont mind replying to this again.

Thank you so much for your time, Mike!
Edna

[MikeAurelius]

Don't be too concerned with the digital kiln breaking down. What usually "wears out" is the contactor, or relay that controls the actual electrical switching on and off of the kiln elements.

This does require (usually) factory or factory rep replacement, but since you are near Nortel, and Nortel is a factory rep, you shouldn't have problems in that regard.

There's nothing wrong with an internal controller as opposed to an external controller. If the contactor goes bad in the external controller, it would have to be returned as well, and if you don't have an infinite control on the kiln, you wouldn't be able to use it anyway.

I use the RANA kiln, which my company manufactures. It is also approved for canadian use (as it draws only 10 amps). It has a built in controller, with 4 separate programs of 16 steps each. I've got two of these in my studio, and currently we are testing a new model of a larger kiln (14 x 14 x 14 internal measurement).

[born2snooze]

Dear Mike,
okay, I made up my mind. I will keep the one I have. Thanks so much for your kind help and patience!
Have a great day!
^..^
Edna

[BillBrach]

All,

Just for future reference, I sell THREE models of Jen-Ken kilns that are under the 12 amp requirement of Canada.

Jen-Ken Bead Box - 8.5 amps
Jen-Ken Fuse Box - 8.5 amps
Jen-Ken Bead Annealer - 10 amps (this is a special order but price and delivery are the same as the standard 13 amp model)

Bill

[born2snooze]

Thank you Bill!

^..^

Edna

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