Unbelievable, simply unbelievable

It must be very expensive to consult with an electrician, or hire a licensed electrician to have on your staff. I’ve just spent several hours going through the websites of the major kiln manufacturers: Paragon, Skutt, Jen Ken and AIM. Everyone one of these kiln manufacturers is in violation of the US NEC (National Electrical Code) on at least one of their kilns.

Let’s take Paragon as an example. Of their line of approximately 46 electric kilns, only 10 had the proper plug on the kiln power cord as well as the proper recommended circuit breaker for the kiln. Several of their kilns draw 20 amps, and Paragon uses a 20 amp plug and recommends a 20 amp circuit breaker!

No wonder people have problems using their kilns.

I can’t help but wonder if anyone at any of these kiln manufacturers even has a copy of the current NEC code, much less consults it on a regular basis.

I can certainly understand the design philosophy (although I totally disagree with it!) that they (the kiln builder) wants to have a kiln that will plug into an ordinary outlet (rated at 15 amps). But what I don’t understand is why they can’t simply build the kiln so that it draws a maximum of 12 amps.

There is no excuse for putting their customers at risk by providing equipment that does not meet the National Electrical Code.