Assembling the
Thermocouple
If your thermocouple
is already
assembled, skip this
section.
1 You will find
four screw connectors
on the ceramic
block. Turn the ceramic
block so the
screws are away
from the thermo- 1. Thermocouple screws must be tight. Observe
I I t th wire color coding. The wire on the thermocouple
COUp fe. ntsher th e that attracts magnet is the red side. WIres rom e ermocouple
into the two center screws. The red wire goes into the
side marked "-" on the ceramic block. Do not tighten the screw~
yet.
2 Included with a new thermocouple is a length of double wire
Remove 2" of outer insulation from one end of the wire. Remove
Y2" of insulation from the two exposed wires. Fold Y4" ofthe end 0
each wire to form a double-thick end. (See photo above.)
3 Insert the wires into the ceramic block outer screw holes. Inser
the red wire on the side marked "_". Tighten the two screws se·
- curely. But don't tighten the screws from step I until after adjust
ing the thermocouple length for your kiln.
Placement of the Thermocouple
Placement of the thermocouple is important. When installed through the wall of the kiln it should extend
about 2" into the kiln from the inside wall. In large kilns 3 to 4 inches is better. On thin wall kilns it may be
necessary to shorten the thermocouple so that it does not extend too far outside the kiln. This can be done by
removing the desired length of insulators and cutting the thermocouple. Unlike changing the length of the extension
wire, this will not affect the accuracy of the meter.
The life of the thermocouple can be extended, especially in a reduction kiln by using a ceramic protection
tube. This can be purchased from your dealer.
Install the thermocouple through a peephole or other hole provided on your kiln. If there is no hole drill one
just slightly larger than the ceramic insulator. If you are using a protection tube you will need to drill the hole to
accommodate it.
CAUTION!
IN ELECTRIC KILNS THE THERMOCOUPLE MUSTNOT CONTACT
THE HEATING ELEMENT(S). THESE ELEMENTS ARE LIVE AND CAN
CAUSE SEVERE SHOCK UPON CONTACT WITH A THERMOCOUPLE.
(BE ESPECIALLY CAUTIOUS IF ELEMENTS HAVE COME OUT OF
THEIR GROOVE AND ARE DRAPED AROUND THE KILN