Kiln Switch Box ½ Amp Fuses Keep Blowing; Wall Outlet Gets Too Hot; Temperature Problems; Controller Reads Wrong Temperature - Paragon DTC 1000 series Troubleshooting Manual

Kiln switch box ½ amp fuses keep blowing.
What size fuse are you using?
I
Correct fuse: AGC ½ A 250V AC.
Test the switch box fuse.
I
kiln back in. Disconnect the orange, white, blue and black wires (INPUTS and CENTER TAP) from the back
of board. Apply power to kiln. If fuse blows, replace the transformer. (If the fuse does not blow, the problem is
a board or relay. Go to step 2.)
Disconnect
Power before
2 Connect the wires to the board again. Disconnect the OUTPUT wire(s) (red or red/green). Program the con-
removing
troller to fire to 1000°F at 9999° rate in Ramp-Hold mode. Press
switch box!
the board. (If the fuse does not blow, the problem is caused by a short in the coil of a relay. Go to step 3, below.)
3 UNPLUG kiln/disconnect power. Reconnect the OUTPUT wire. Reinstall the board in the switch box. Open
switch box. If your kiln has one relay connected to the controller, replace the relay. Kilns with more than one
relay: perform the next test:
short in its electromagnet will read 0 - 2 ohms, which will blow the kiln's
switch box fuse. Test each relay.

Wall outlet gets too hot.

Replace the wall outlet.
I
If you smell burning plastic, turn off the breaker immediately. Touch the wall receptacle faceplate. If it feels hot, re-
place the receptacle. Replace the kiln cord if it has been damaged by heat from the outlet. DO NOT FIRE THE
KILN UNTIL THE RECEPTACLE AND CORD ARE REPAIRED!

Temperature Problems

Controller reads wrong temperature.

Has a hold been inadvertently programmed?
I
If the temperature remains steady when it should be getting hotter or cooler,
you may have programmed a hold.
Has the thermocouple been pushed out of the firing chamber?
I
The 1/8" diameter thermocouple should protrude into the chamber at least ½" to 5/8". The ¼"
new-style thermocouple should protrude 1". Sometimes a shelf nudged against the thermocou-
ple will push it out of the firing chamber.
What happens when you move the thermocouple tip?
I
Reach inside the firing chamber and wiggle the thermocouple tip. If the display makes a sizable
jump in temperature, or the temperature becomes erratic, replace the thermocouple.
Are thermocouple connections tight?
I
Inspect the thermocouple connections on the back of the board. (See page 4 for instructions on
removing the board.) Tighten if necessary, grasping the connection block to prevent it from
twisting. Does the thermocouple have a ceramic block? (It would be located on the other side of
10
Kiln Switch Box ½ Amp Fuse Power Test
1 UNPLUG the kiln/disconnect the power. Remove the 4
screws holding the controller board faceplate to the switch box. Lift faceplate out of box and let
the board hang on the outside of the box with the back of the board facing you. Then plug the
Relay Coil Test
Disconnect the two controller-to-relay lead wires from the
first relay. Touch ohmmeter probes to the same two terminals
on the relay. A good relay reads about 80 ohms. A relay with a
The kiln switch box fuse holder.
. If the fuse blows, replace or service
START
The ohmmeter probes are placed on the relay
terminals that power its 12 volt electromagnet
coil. See relay diagram, page 2.
The 1/8" thermocouple should protrude into the
firing chamber ½" - 5/8". The ¼" thermocouple
should protrude 1" into firing chamber.
T he t hermoco upl e
should not touch any-
thing metallic, such as
a heat shield.