Portable communications equipment, especially devices
with high-powered transmitters such as citizens' band receiver-transmitters
and cellular telephones, will interfere with your control system
if operated within 50-feet of the controller or sensor cable.
Radio frequency interference (RFI) will typically cause spurious
and erratic temperature indications, and may cause controllers
operating in the shut-off mode to stop the firing prematurely.
(Low power portable telephones do not ordinarily produce RFI
problems.) Security guards should be cautioned about using
portable communications devices near this equipment.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The FireRight Sr Temperature/Rate Controller is designed specifically for firing ceramics and annealing glass. Users typically include hobbyists, professional/commercial artists, educational institutions, industrial research labs and light industrial production facilities.
Like conventional temperature controllers, the FireRight Sr is capable of holding the temperature at a preset level. It is also capable of serving as a shut-off ... a device which simply turns the kiln off when a preset temperature is reached. Unlike conventional controllers, the FireRight Sr is able to control the rate of change from one temperature to another, up or down.
The FireRight Sr uses a type K (Nickel-Chromium vs' Nickel-Aluminum) thermocouple as its temperature sensor, and has an operating range of 0/2500°F (-17/1371°C). The temperature set points are infinitely adjustable over this range. The rate of temperature change is also infinitely adjustable, with a range of 0-540°F/Hr (0-300°C/Hr); for annealing operations, an internal jumper permits the user to reduce this range by a factor of ten (0-54°F/Hr, 0-30°C/Hr).
The measured temperature is continuously displayed on a large digital indicator. This same indicator is used to display and adjust the RATE, LIMIT and RAMP settings. The indicator can convert °F to °C, and visa versa, at the push of a button. Twenty-one other indicators continuously display the status of all of the controllers other functions.
There are two standard FireRight Sr Temperature/Rate Control Systems, rated at 48-amps and 75-amps, respectively. These packages include the controller, an electrical power controller, the sensor and the necessary interconnecting cables. The electrical power and kiln cables must be direct-wired to the terminals inside the power controller by an electrician, but everything else simply plugs in. Both units handle 208/240vac power. The 75-amp system may be used with either single phase or 3-phase power.
A special system is provided for installation by kiln and annealer manufacturers. This system makes use of the kiln's standard control circuit, and is quickly and easily installed by the manufacturer, using the modular plug-in cables.
A great deal of care has been taken "uncomplicate" the FireRight Sr, making it easy for "real people" to understand and use. The connectors are keyed and clearly labeled, making it almost impossible to hook the cables up incorrectly. The controls and indicators are logically arranged, and are labeled in plain english, to make their functions readily apparent.
A quick reading of this booklet will familiarize you with its contents, and the not-so-apparent features of the equipment.
INSTALLATION & HOOK-UP
Installation instructions are provided only for FireRight 48-Amp and 75-Amp Temperature/Rate Control Systems. Refer to the kiln manufacturer's handbook for information regarding factory-installed controllers and control systems.
FireRight control systems are easy to install. Everything is fully assembled and ready to use. The main power cable and the kiln's power cable must be hard-wired to the power contactor inside of the new power controller. Otherwise, everything just plugs-in, and the connectors are keyed to fit only their proper receptacles.
MOUNTING THE POWER CONTROLLER
MOUNTING THE TEMPERATURE SENSOR
CONTROLS, CONNECTORS AND INDICATORS
The various connectors, operating controls and indicators are described in the following familiarization procedure. Become familiar with each item prior to operating the controller for the first time.
Simply unplug these two connectors to remove the controller for service or storage.
PREFIRING CHECK-OUT PROCEDURE
A brief inspection and test of the control system prior to each firing can prevent interruptions during the firing which may spoil the batch. The following procedure is simple enough to soon be committed to memory and performed thereafter as a matter of habit.
OPERATION
The following representative firing instructions will serve as a guide to the proper use of the controller. They are not presented as proper firing technique. Determine how each load should be processed, then refer to these instructions as a guide to setting up the firing.
BASIC (BISCUIT) FIRINGS
Exact limit settings are possible to achieve, but the setability of the limit adjustment has practical limitations. To set the limit temperature exactly, you must set the parameter within 1/2øF, or within 200 parts per million, of an arbitrarily selected number. This is difficult to do, is usually not essential to good results, and therefore isn't usually the effort. Do try to set the limit to within 10°F (5°C) of the tabulated temperature.
GLAZE FIRINGS
The above procedure is also applicable to glaze firings, except that it is often permissible to fire glaze more rapidly, slowing down near the end of the firing, or soaking briefly at the limit, to permit the glaze to settle out. To slow down, simply reduce the RATE setting prior to reaching the limit setting. To soak at the limit, press the SOAK button before the limit temperature is reached, let the kiln soak at that temperature for as long as desired, then press the SHUT-OFF button.
CRYSTALLINE GLAZE
ANNEALING GLASS
An internal jumper reduces the RATE scale by a factor of ten to
LIMITED WARRANTY
FireRight Controls warrants FireRight Sr control systems for one-year from the date of purchase. Units which develop defects attributable to material or workmanship will be repaired or replaced without charge.
SERVICE ASSISTANCE - FACTORY SERVICE
When control system problems arise, technical assistance is available directly from the factory at ...
Control system problems can often be diagnosed over the phone. If a phone is near enough to the control system to permit you to discuss the problem and work on the system according to our instructions during your call, we will probably be able to diagnose the problem. Otherwise, "telephone trouble-shooting" is effective only about 50% of the time.
If you have already determined that a particular component of your control system is defective, phone us at the above number to determine the warranty status of your unit, current service rates, and the correct shipping address. Our factory repair service is highly efficient and very reasonable. All service is performed by factory production personnel, and usually takes less than one week.
Warranty work is handled at no cost to the user, except possibly for shipping and insurance. Non-warranty service is billed at standard flat rates, which can be quoted in advance. All shipping and insurance costs will be prepaid and added to the billing.
Your dealer may be able to handle your service transaction for you. If not, pack your controller carefully and ship it to us via UPS, if possible. The shipment should be insured for its replacement cost. We can have UPS call for the package if UPS counter service is not conveniently available to you. All shipping costs are billed when we reship your unit to you. A concise service report is also provided.
IMPORTANT NOTE
To avoid unreliable operation due to electrical
feedback, keep the sensor and control cables
well away from these current-carrying cables
IMPORTANT NOTE
permit the setting of very slow rates. Remove the cover from the
controller, find this jumper at the read, right-hand corner of the top
circuit board, and switch it from the "Norm" position to the "÷10"
position. Then, to set a cooling rate of 5°F/Hr, adjust the reading
to "50" and interpret it as 5.0°F/Hr.
1320 Fulton Street Box 604
Grand Haven, Michigan 49417-0604 USA
Phone: (616) 842-7658
FAX: (616) 842-7658
e-mail:support@fireright.com
Appendix
DN470000: General Wiring Diagram - Original
DN470747: General Wiring Diagram - Later Versions
1320 Fulton Street Box 604
Grand Haven, Michigan 49417-0604 usa
Phone:(616) 842-7658
FAX:(616) 482-1471
e-mail: support@fireright.com
©Copyright Warner Instruments 1996 ~ 1998