Kiln specs

[Tom StilwellParticipant @tomstilwell73785]

Hi all, I have recently acquired a Gallenkamp fr520 kiln that was being disposed of at my work. I'm hoping to get it up and running but was wondering if anyone has any spec sheets for it. It looks pretty old to me and I can't find any information online. Specifically I'm worried about possible asbestos insulation and subsequent safety implications. Any info would be great. Many thanks, Tom

[Tom StilwellParticipant @tomstilwell73785]

[Brian HParticipant @brianh50089]

Tom, the asbestos will not be a problem provided it's not disturbed (if it is, indeed, asbestos).

Brian

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

You willbe lucky to find the original spec sheets for it. Ask Gallenkamp?

“Goggle” muffle furnace, rather than ‘kiln’.

Likely a wire wound element embedded in a ceramic refractory casing.

Single phase? What type of plug? How heavy is the cable rating?

Picture? Dimensions?

Possibly external panels may be of a hard asbestos-containing sheet material (like old ironing boards), but doubt there is any loose asbestos insulation inside.

Is ‘getting it up and running’ just mean it needs a plug fitting? Or is it currently non-operational for some other reason?

I had a gallenkamp muffle furnace. Not sure of model. It was about 4 – 4.5kW, as I recall.

[Trevor Crossman 1Participant @trevorcrossman1]

Hi Tom , I had a Gallenkampf muffle furnace until a few years ago, I cannot remember the model but it had a double counterbalanced 'plug' door and the controller was built in to the front below a shelf . Not sure of power rating but it ran quite happily from a 16 amp socket. I seem to remember that the insulation casing was a material called syndanyo ? and the elements were laid in channels in the ceramic blocks, other insulation being ceramic fibre, There was no asbestos. I found all this out when dismantling it to fix a new thermocouple.

It was a big heavy thing like this

[Nick HulmeParticipant @nickhulme30114]

That looks very similar to the Griffin furnace sold in the UK.

[Tom StilwellParticipant @tomstilwell73785]

Great responses – thanks for the info everyone! I think that answers my questions nicely really. The furnace is working and is getting up to around 1000C, by up and running I just meant start using it really. It looks very much like a smaller version of the one in your picture Trevor so that's reassuring to know about the materials. I'm not sure exactly on the power rating but it'll certainly do for my needs.

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

Count your meter turns or flashes for load? Or plug it into a measuring plug/socket power meter (everyone should have one!). 13A plug got rather warm when I plugged in my old kiln, but did not blow the fuse even though way over the limit.

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