5.0 Operation
Explosive Materials
The furnace must not be used to heat materials which could explode, or
which could emit gases that could form explosive mixtures. If the safe
heating of a material is dependent on its temperature, only heat these
type of materials if the furnace has the optional over-temperature
protection device fitted. Ensure that the over-temperature device is
calibrated and set to an over-temperature safety limit that is sufficiently
large as to avoid any hazards. If in doubt, seek expert advice before
proceeding. Customers are responsible for carrying out their own risk
assessments on the heating of materials.
Do not operate without a work tube
. The furnace must not be
operated without the correctly sized work tube and correspond work
tube adaptor. Otherwise, an operator can access electrically live
element coils that could cause serious injury of death.
Switch off the furnace before loading and unloading.
The furnace
elements must be switched off using the heater switch, item 2 in
"Warning Labels", when the furnace is being loaded or unloaded. The
work tube can become electrically conductive at high temperatures. If
an element has failed and collapsed onto the work tube, the work tube
will become live causing serious injury or death.
5.3
General Operating Advice
Heating element life is shortened by overheating. Do not leave the
product at high temperature when it is not required. The maximum
temperature is shown on the product rating label and in section 11.0
towards the back of this manual.
Lightweight ceramic fibre insulation can easily be marked by accidental
contact. Some fine cracks may develop in the surface of the insulation
due to the progressive shrinkage of the insulation materials. Cracks are
not usually detrimental to the functioning or the safety of the product.
Clean up any spillages in the insulation, as these can increase the rate of degradation of
the insulation material.
5.4
Operator Safety
The ceramic materials used in the product manufacture become
electrically conductive to some extent at high temperatures. DO NOT use
any conductive tools within the product without isolating it. If a metal
work tube is used, it must be earthed (grounded).
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