Paragon S-Type Instruction Manual

Important Guidelines
1If you are upgrading from a K-type to an S-type
thermocouple, you must reset your controller to the
correct thermocouple type. Otherwise your kiln will
overfire! See next page.
2The thermocouple is fragile. Handle with care. Do
NOT cut or bend the thermocouple.
3Use only thermocouple-to-controller lead wires de-
signed for the S-type thermocouple: one black and one
red covered with green outer insulation.
4Follow color polarity between the thermocouple,
lead wires, and the terminals on the controller.
5The thermocouple lead wires must not touch the
hot kiln case.
6Even though they are protected by insulation, ther-
mocouple lead wires are sensitive to electromagnetic
interference. Inside the kiln switch box, position the
thermocouple wires away from other wires. Never let a
thermocouple wire wrap around other wires.
7Be sure the thermocouple wire ends are separated
where the insulation has been stripped. If bare ends
touch, the thermocouple will not work properly.
8The S-type thermocouple must protrude at least ½”
- ¾” into the firing chamber.
Installing the Thermocouple
1Read the guidelines in the left column. Then UNPLUG/dis-
connect the kiln from the power.
2Remove the screws on the sides of the switch box that hold it to
the kiln. Gently lift the box away from the kiln. Prop the switch
box, if necessary, to prevent straining the wires attached to the ele-
ments.
3You will see an oval-shaped
ceramic connection block
fastened to the outside of the fir-
ing chamber wall. Remove the 2
screws that fasten the connection
block to the kiln. Pull the old ther-
mocouple from its firebrick hole.
If your kiln has a thermocouple
protection tube, leave it in place.
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Installing the
S-Type
Thermocouple
Thermocouple screws must be tight. Observe polarity of wire colors at both the ceramic block and back of controller.
©2006, by Paragon Industries, L.P. IM-232/11-06
Remove the ceramic block.

4If the hole is 1/8” in diameter, enlarge to ¼” with an electric
drill. If the hole is ½”, you will need to stuff ceramic fiber around
the furnished thermocouple protection tube. See Step 7.
5Slide the new thermocouple into the hole. You will find 4 screw
connectors on the oval ceramic block. Insert the 2 wires from the
new thermocouple into the 2 center screw holes in the ceramic
block. The red wire goes into the hole marked “-”.
6The thermocouple must protrude into the firing chamber ½” -
¾”. To adjust the thermocouple length, gently change the gap be-
tween the thermocouple and ceramic block. Then securely tighten
the 2 screws in the ceramic block.
Caution: Do not sharply bend
the two thermocouple wire
ends. Otherwise they will
break.
7Remove the thermocouple and connector block from the kiln.
Then wipe a small amount of kiln cement onto the thermocouple
protection tube. Starting from outside the kiln, gently slide the
tube into the thermocouple hole until the tube extends into the fir-
ing chamber 1” - 1 ¼”.
If the thermocouple
hole is ½” in diame-
ter, insert the protec-
tion tube. Then stuff
ceramic fiber into the
hole around the tube.
Fiber is available
from Paragon.
8Slide the S-type ther-
mocouple into the pro-
tection tube. Fasten the
ceramic block to the kiln
with the 2 screws that you removed in Step 3.
9The S-type thermocouple-to-controller lead wires are red and
black covered with green outer insulation. If you are upgrading to
the S-type thermocouple from the K-type, you will need to replace
the lead wires.
Insert the lead wires in the connection block observing color
polarity. The red wire goes on the side marked “-”. Tighten the
screws securely.
If your ceramic connection block is color coded yellow and
red, connect the black wire to the yellow side of the block.
10 Remove the controller
faceplate from the front of the kiln’s switch box. Remove the old
thermocouple wires attached to the back of the controller. Attach
the new thermocouple lead wires to the correct controller termi-
nals. Reinstall the faceplate to the switch box.
11 Position the thermocouple lead wires so they are away from
the hot sides of the kiln case and electrical wiring. (Placing ther-
mocouple wires next to or looped around other wires could cause
erratic controller readings.)
12 Check that no wires or wire nuts touch the kiln case or ele-
ment connectors.
Reinstall the switch box.
Resetting the Sentry
Controller
If you are upgrading from a K-type to an S-type thermocouple,
you must reset your controller to the correct thermocouple type.
Otherwise your kiln will overfire!
1From IdLE, press the OPTIONS key repeatedly until TC ap-
pears in the display window.
2Press ENTER. Use the 1 and 2 keys to select TC S.
3After selecting TC S, press ENTER. Press STOP to return to
IdLE.
Anchor the protection tube in the firebrick wall with kiln repair cement.
The protection tube should extend into the firing chamber 1”-1¼”.
The S-type thermocouple must extend into the firing chamber ½” - ¾”.
If the hole is ½” in diameter, stuff ceramic
fiber around the protection tube.