Use Copper Wire for Hook Up
- Do not use aluminum wire on the final connection to the kiln.
- The specific reason particular to kilns is that the wire tends to get hotter near the kiln than it might be going into some other types of appliances.
- Being a resistive load, there is constant heat being generated by the conductors for quite a few hours. When aluminum wire gets hot it accelerates oxidation. Aluminum oxide is a resistor; copper oxide is not as much. If the connection at the terminal board gets oxidized it will really heat up - to the point where it could cause a fire.
- Note: Depending on local codes it may be OK to use aluminum wire to your sub-panel - as long as that wire is not exceeding its temperature rating while kiln is firing on full power for an extended period of time.
- Aluminum wiring was once widely used in homes, but because it was found that aluminum had a greater expansion profile under load, it often loosened wire connections and sometimes caused electrical fires. Because kiln loads can present a substantial load on the wiring, we recommend the use of copper wiring in kiln circuits.
