Diagnostic Tests

There are a few Diagnostic tests that can be done without the kiln connected to power. Any test done that involves exposure to components that are live, or have the potential to be live, should be done by a licensed electrical contractor therefore some of these PDFs are meant for them to use as a resource.

Visual Test

The visual test is one you can perform on most kilns. Basically you are just heating the kiln up and looking through the peep holes (always wear protective glasses) to see which elements are glowing. If you have a hole section out usually it is a bad switch (KS Kiln) or a bad relay (KM kiln). If every element is glowing it usually means the elements have worn out and need replacing or you have a low voltage issue.

KilnMaster Menu Diagnostics

Here are the 2 pages (starts halfway down the first page) in the manual that cover the Diagnostic tests that are accessed through the controller and do not require any tools or testing equipment. Below you will find videos for the most common tests found in the Diagnostic Menu.

Checking Voltage

Low voltage issues will make the kiln struggle to get to temperature and high voltage issues will cause the kiln to draw too many amps. The key is to have the supply voltage match the designed voltage of the kiln within around 5 to 8 volts. You can find the designed rating of the kiln by looking at the serial plate on the side of the box. Big swings between the voltage reading and the voltage under load reading can indicate undersized wire and represent a possible fire danger.

Checking Voltage (Kilns without Built-in Diagnostics)

This is one of those cases where live voltage is being read and and is meant for only experienced kiln technicians or electricians.

Checking Amperage

Checking amperage through your kilns controllers is one of the easiest and most telling information you can access. If your Skutt kiln has a green LED display (not red) it has a built in current sensor which can read the amperage going to each section of your kiln individually. If a section of your kiln reads 0 amps, most likely you have a bad relay. If the amperage reads significantly low, it is likely you have 1 element in the kiln that is broken. If the amperage reads slightly low it is likely your elements are wearing out or you have a voltage problem. To see what amperage your kiln should be drawing download the KM Amperage By Section document.

Testing Amperage (Kilns Without Built-in Diagnostics)

This is one of those cases where live voltage is being read and and is meant for only experienced kiln technicians or electricians.

Element Ohm Resistance Chart

Skutt’s KM Kilns Element Resistance specifications chart.