Kanthal Wire question

melsdad

melsdad

Joined
Apr 3, 2008
Messages
522
I bought my elements from budget casting a few years ago. I am just getting back to finishing building my H.T. Kiln. I noticed on one end of the elements the pig tail is very short, maybe 2" long. I want to make all my connections on the outside of my kiln so this brings up a problem.

My question is, can I straighten out some of the coils to make the tail longer without weakening the element wire?
 
melsdad said:
I bought my elements from budget casting a few years ago. I am just getting back to finishing building my H.T. Kiln. I noticed on one end of the elements the pig tail is very short, maybe 2" long. I want to make all my connections on the outside of my kiln so this brings up a problem.

My question is, can I straighten out some of the coils to make the tail longer without weakening the element wire?
Click to expand...

Your resistance will change slightly if anything is cut so just be mindful of that. Otherwise whether straight or coiled it will be the same.
 
One more question. Is it necessary to double, and twist the ends of the elements where the connections are made?

sent from my campfire with smoke signals
 
It's certainly preferable.

By doubling and twisting, you are halving the current flow through each of the twisted wires. The heat output varies as the square of the current, so each wire will output one quarter the heat. However, there are 2 wires, so each will produce one quarter, making half the heat output per inch of a single strand.

When the wire(s) pass through an insulating wall, it's hard to get the heat away and there is a danger of the element overheating. Doubling and twisting therefore reduces the chances of the element burning out where it is inside the wall.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top