Oven Heating Problem - Plating Powder Coating Buffing Anodizing

petshe25 · #1 (**permalink**) 02-20-2006, 10:07 PM

Ok, I've been reading alot of posts and have learned alot. The problem I have is that I have built a 4' X 4' X 6' oven and it is taking about an hour to get to 350 degrees. I have (4) 2500 watt elements running in parallel on the bottom of the oven. It is in the horizontal position with 2" insulation on all sides with inner and outer metal. When I put an amp tester on one of the 110 leads going into the box, I am getting a reading of 36 amps, but I should be getting a draw of 41.6 amps. Is this normal? I have a 50 amp service going into the oven. I would appreciate any help on this.

Pete

dbug10 · #2 (**permalink**) 02-21-2006, 12:26 AM

sounds like you dont have enough heat i have the same size oven with 20 kw of heaters 20 min its up to temp

petshe25 · #3 (**permalink**) 02-21-2006, 06:03 AM

What did you end up with for a contactor and what amp service?

Popeye · #4 (**permalink**) 02-21-2006, 08:27 AM

You should be about 45.5 amps... could be low voltage or bad element

petshe25 · #5 (**permalink**) 02-21-2006, 08:36 AM

I thought that you took the total watts of the elements and divided it by the volts? 20,000watts / 240V = 83 amps or am I incorrect on the way to figure this?

edwardpic · #6 (**permalink**) 02-21-2006, 10:15 AM

We have the same size oven and use (6) 1500W elements wired 3 phase delta, our oven takes 15 minutes to reach 400. Ours is running off a 40 amp main with a 3 pole contactor. Most people dont have 3 phase, but maybe the info helps a little. Maybe you should run (6) 2500W elements, also a circulation fan helps the oven pre-heat.
Ed

petshe25 · #7 (**permalink**) 02-21-2006, 10:53 AM

Hey Ed,
What voltage are you running with your 3 phase?

edwardpic · #8 (**permalink**) 02-21-2006, 12:18 PM

We are running 240V 3-phase. The elements themselves are 240V as well.
Ed

petshe25 · #9 (**permalink**) 02-21-2006, 12:27 PM

I guess I can't figure out why you are only running 9,000 watts and are able to get that much heat out of it in 15 min. Dbug10 has 20,000 watts and it takes him 20 min. to get up to temp. Tonight I am going to check the voltage and amps at each of the elements. Since I only have a 50 amp service, I don't want to really go above 44 or 45 amps to leave a safety factor.

dbug10 · #10 (**permalink**) 02-21-2006, 01:54 PM

Ed are you sure you have only 9kw i swear it doesnt seem like that is enough to heat your oven

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