Kilns get hot! When it comes to kiln safety, using a safety limit controller helps ensure that a kiln automatically shuts off if it exceeds a pre-defined temperature.
Over the course of this article, we’ll be exploring the role of safety limit controllers and why you should consider adding one to your kiln or oven build.
Safety Limit Controllers and Safety Redundancy
While advanced process controllers like TAP II and TAP II Pro have max temperature safety shutoff, you’re still entrusting the safety of yourself, your household, and your property to a single layer of safety measures.
With proper maintenance, high quality programmable kiln controllers, kiln relays, and thermocouples are extremely reliable. However, they do fail from time to time.
Watch SDS Industries’ President Scott Shannon explain the pros and cons of different types of relays.
Adding a safety limit controller (like TAP Monitor) to your kiln or oven build adds a layer of safety redundancy. Wiring a safety limit controller to a redundant safety relay ensures that your kiln safely shuts off even if your primary controller or relay fails.
Benefits of Remote Temperature Monitoring
In addition to acting as a safety limit controller, TAP Monitor is also a pyrometric device that adds precise remote temperature monitoring to your kiln or oven build – even if you’re using a manual kiln or an automatic controller from a less advanced temperature controller manufacturer.
With the TAP Kiln Control Mobile app, you can monitor kiln temperature, receive push notifications alerts and alarms, and view real-time firing graphs – even if you have to step away from your project.
This is not only extremely convenient, but it adds an additional layer of kiln safety, keeping you immediately informed of any discrepancies in your firing schedule.
Do I Need a Safety Limit Controller?
Safety limit controllers are much more common in industrial kiln and industrial control system (ICS) applications. Most at home and studio kiln and oven builds don’t include a safety limit controller. And this is usually fine most of the time (especially if you use solid-state relays and your primary kiln controller includes max temp safety shutoff).
However, like most safety devices, when you need a safety limit controller, you really need one. A small investment in a safety limit controller potentially protects your property, your health, and will save you massive amounts of money in a worst-case scenario.
If you’re still using a manual kiln or an outdated automatic kiln controller (which includes most kiln controllers currently on the market), we strongly encourage you to invest in a safety limit controller that adds max temperature safety shutoff, precise pyrometric monitoring, and remote kiln monitoring.
Adding TAP Monitor Safety Limit Controller & Pyrometer to Your Kiln or Oven Build
SDS Industries, known for creating the most advanced, easy-to-use automatic kiln controllers, recently release a brand-new, cutting edge safety limit controller and digital pyrometer: TAP Monitor.
TAP Monitor is available as a set of DIY components that can be wired directly to a safety relay to act as a combination safety limit controller and digital pyrometer, as well as as a plug-and-play standalone remote pyrometer that includes controller housing, a type K thermocouple, and everything you need for a plug-and-play installation.
Both configurations improve kiln safety, but they’re also an affordable way to modernize kiln builds that don’t include precise, remote temperature monitoring. TAP Monitor provides a host of benefits (regardless of the type of kiln control method you currently use):
- Protect yourself and your family by wiring TAP Monitor to a safety relay to provide redundant safety shutoff.
- Enjoy more peace of mind by knowing the exact temperature of your kiln, oven, or forge every step of the way (via TAP Kiln Control Mobile).
- Save time and effort by knowing the state of your kiln no matter where you are.
- Ensure more consistent outcomes and enjoy added convenience by upgrading your existing automatically or manually controlled kiln to include precise, real-time digital temperature readings.
Explore Kiln Control Solutions by SDS Industries
In addition to the TAP Monitor Safety Limit Controller, the TAP Ecosystem includes a variety of programmable kiln controllers that give artists complete control of their kilns. The TAP II and TAP II Pro Controllers by SDS Industries provide users the most advanced, precise, and easy-to-use programmable digital kiln controllers on the market today. With responsive touchscreen controls, an intuitive graphical UI, and integration with the TAP Kiln Control Mobile app, TAP Kiln Controllers can pair with any relay-controlled kiln or oven.
We invite you to explore our selection of programmable kiln controllers, pyrometers, standalones, and conversion kits on our online store. You can also purchase TAP Digital Controllers or TAP Controlled Kilns and Heat Treat Ovens through one of the following distributors:
- Evenheat
- Hot Shot Oven & Kiln
- Paragon Kilns
- Mobile Glassblowing Studios, LLC
- Jen-Ken Kilns
- Kiln Frog
- Sheffield Pottery
- Delphi Glass
Safety Limit Controllers FAQ
What happens when kiln relays fail?
Kiln relay failure is one of the most potentially damaging things that can happen to an artist – or it can be a minor inconvenience. It really depends on how the relay fails.
You see, kiln relays use a switch mechanism to make ovens heat up or cool down. If the relay fails while the kiln is heating up, the results can be disastrous – the kiln keeps heating up indefinitely.
On the other hand, if the relay fails while the kiln is cooling down, the worst that happens is that your project doesn’t fire correctly – but there isn’t a risk of ruining your kiln or risking a fire.
But it’s really just a coin flip.
Ways to reduce risk of relay failure or avert damage when failures do occur include:
- Investing in a Solid-State Relay: Mechanical relays have limited lifespans and fail far more frequently. Investing in a solid-state relay virtually eliminates the risk of failure – though it’s still possible in rare instances.
- Conducting Proper Maintenance: Proper kiln maintenance involves tracking relay usage and replacing mechanical relays at regular intervals, minimizing the likelihood of failure.
- Purchasing a Safety Limit Controller: Adding a safety limit controller to your kiln adds an additional safety relay and an alternative automatic shutoff method in case your primary system fails.
Like they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! We strongly encourage you to take steps to avoid relay failure – and to keep a fire extinguisher near your kiln just in case.
Where can I learn more about safety limit controllers and pyrometers?
When we released TAP Monitor in 2024, we authored a ton of useful content to help our audience understand the role and benefits of using safety limit controllers and digital pyrometers.
A few of these articles include:
- What Is a Pyrometer? Understanding Pyrometers for Kilns
- The Difference Between a Limit Controller and a Process Controller
- How to Use a Kiln Temperature Monitor
- How to Install TAP Monitor Digital Pyrometer [Video]
While safety limit controllers and pyrometers are standard for commercial heat treat and industrial control systems, many at home and even studio artists haven’t heard of these devices yet – even though both can greatly enhance the precision, efficiency, and safety of your craft.
How long does it take to install TAP Monitor?
If you buy TAP Monitor as a standalone, you can add it to your kiln or oven build in minutes. In the video below, you can watch SDS Industries President & Founder, Scott Shannon, install TAP Monitor in just 20 seconds. For newer artists, you might not be that fast, but you should be able to install the TAP Monitor Standalone in just a few minutes with just a Phillips head screwdriver.
Alternatively, you have the option to purchase TAP Monitor as a set of configurable components for DIY installation or for new kiln or oven builds. Installation for this configuration obviously takes a little longer, but it gives you more flexibility for wiring TAP Monitor to a redundant safety relay to act as a safety limit controller.
