Chapter 7
Error Messages
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Error messages are accompanied by an alarm.
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Non-interrupting messages do not stop the firing. Ter
-
minating error messages do.
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[FTH], [FTC], and [LTDE] error messages are based
upon the adjustable setting in the Temperature Devia
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tion
[TEDE] option (page 24).
Non-Interrupting
Error Messages
Press ENTER to silence the alarm. (Do not press STOP
to silence the alarm.) The error message will remain but the
kiln will continue firing. Even though the following error
messages appear, the kiln will continue its normal opera
-
tion. The messages are only to alert you that the kiln could
not cool or heat as fast as you had programmed. But they
will not shut off the kiln or affect the firing in any way.
Definition of “Set Point”
The temperature that the controller is trying to reach, at
any given time, is called the set point. During heating or
cooling, the set point changes at the rate you programmed.
During a hold, the set point remains steady.
FTC / Failed to Cool
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During a cooling-down ramp, the programmed rate is
faster than the kiln can cool. The temperature is above
the set point temperature by more than the deviation
setting. (See Temperature Deviation, page 24.) Pro
-
gram a slower cooling rate.
Note: Use Present Status to compare the actual
rate of the current Ramp-Hold segment with the
rate you programmed. (See page 8.)
Note: In Ramp-Hold, use a FULL rate to turn off
the FTC alarm for that particular segment.
FTH / Failed to Heat
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During a heating-up ramp, the programmed rate is
faster than the kiln can heat. The temperature is below
the set point temperature by more than the deviation
setting. (See Temperature Deviation, page 24.)
Program a slower rate. Or check for a bad relay, worn or
burned out elements, low voltage, or a defective thermo
-
couple.
Note: Use Present Status to compare the actual
rate of the current Ramp-Hold segment with the
rate you programmed. (See page 8.)
Note: In Ramp-Hold, use a FULL rate to turn off
the FTH alarm for that particular segment.
LTDE / Low Temperature Deviation
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During a cooling-down ramp or a hold, the temperature
is below the set point temperature by more than the de
-
viation setting. (See Temperature Deviation, page 24.)
Check for a bad relay, worn or burned out elements, low
voltage or a defective thermocouple.
Pointer: During a firing, Present Status shows the
actual firing rate of the current Ramp-Hold seg
-
ment instead of the rate you programmed. If you
think your kiln is heating or cooling too slowly,
compare the rate shown in Present Status with the
rate you programmed for that segment. This is an
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other reason you should always keep a written re
-
cord of your firing programs.
Note: Using a FULL rate will turn off the LTDE
alarm for that particular segment.
PF/PowerFailure
[PF] alternating with normal display means the power
failed during firing. After power was restored, the firing re
-
sumed.
TC and 1, 2, or 3 / Multiple-Zone Kiln
Thermocouple Failure
If a thermocouple fails in a multi-zone kiln, the kiln will
continue to fire as long as at least one thermocouple is
working. The thermocouple(s) that failed will alternate
with the kiln temperature as follows:
[TC1] Top thermocouple failed
[TC2] Middle thermocouple failed
[TC3] Bottom thermocouple failed
[TC1] / [TC2] Top and middle thermocouples failed
[TC2] / [TC3] Middle and bottom thermocouples failed
[TC1] / [TC3] Top and bottom thermocouples failed
Terminating Error
Messages
[HTDE] [ETH] [FAIL] [FTL] and [TCDE] error mes
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sages turn off the kiln and flash the following:
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Total firing time in hours and minutes
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The kiln shutoff temperature
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The current kiln temperature
----/NoThermocouple
After the controller was plugged in, it could not detect a
thermocouple.
BADP / Bad Programming
Causes:
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When you press START, all programmed temperatures
are below the current kiln temperature of a Ramp-Hold
firing.
Keep the kiln lid or door closed when the kiln is not in use. 27
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