NEED HELP With Wiring

[snowhoundxp]

I'm new to this site. I'm building an oven that has inside demensions of 5' 4'' high by 4' deep by 3' 4'' wide. I have the shell together - 20 gage studs and sheet metal with 4'' of insulation. The wiring I don't know about. How many elements? What size fan or no fan? What type of controls? Just anything to do with the electrical would help. I do have 220. Would like to keep cost under control if possible. I'm good at building stuff but baffled with the electrical. Any assistance would be appreciated. Thanks in advance for your help!

[ed_denu]

The size oven you are building is going to require around 10k watts to heat properly. Do you know if your service panel can support a 60 amp circuit? Oven type elements are usually the most cost effective and the number will depend on the elements chosen.

Do a little research here and you will find a ton of information, including wiring schematics. Basically you will need a pid, ssr or contactor, elements, hi-temp wire to the elements, a few switches, a control box, wire nuts, etc. The circuit will require additional wire, breaker, conduit, gang box and plugs/receptacles if you intend to disconnect the service cord.

Auber Instruments and ebay are good places to begin your search. Select some possible components and someone here can review them for compatibility and capacity.

[CarWiz]

Electricity is very unforgiving, especially 220/240v service. It's easy to misplace a connection and "fry" components. Not to mention being hazardous to you. I would find a friend familiar with wiring and at least have him look over your shoulder. As Ed said, there's lots of info on this forum and most of it is covered in detail. A few days of browsing the threads and making your own plan of attack will go a long way in preventing problems. If you have specific questions, there's lots of folks that have gone through the same process and can help.

Oven Building Forum - Caswell Inc. Metal Finishing Forums

[Grumple]

Here is a pic to show one way to connect the elements. To be honest, the wiring is the fun part of the build. Get the box done and ask questions before the outer skin goes on in case you want to add a blower for air circulation. Otherwise keeping the wiring external through conduit will make for a neat installation and repairs if they are ever needed.