FAQ
TL;DR: For a 3‑burner incinerator with an 800 °C cutoff, the simplest safe control uses a "power supply, signal conditioner, and a relay." [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #21682779]
Why it matters: This FAQ helps trainee and working engineers choose control‑panel components for Riello Press1G burners using a single thermocouple, balancing simplicity and safety.
Quick Facts
- Burn strategy: at 800 °C, switch off the two top burners; keep the bottom burner on for low burn. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #21682777]
- Small PLC fits: only a few inputs and 2–3 outputs are needed for this control task. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #21682780]
- No‑code option: a thermocouple transmitter with a limit contact can drive a relay for the upper burners. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #21682779]
- Electrical: Press1G site detail mentions 3‑phase 400 V and a 230 V→8 kV ignition transformer. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #21682784]
- Compliance: plan for UL/CSA inspection and prefer certified ignition/safety parts to ease approval. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #21682781]
What’s the simplest control‑panel approach with one thermocouple?
Use a thermocouple transmitter with an adjustable limit. Drive one relay for the two top burners and keep the bottom burner powered. Add a 24 VDC power supply for logic and coils. This gives temperature‑based staging without programming. "Power supply, signal conditioner, and a relay" covers the core. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #21682779]
How should the burners switch around 800 °C?
Start in high burn with all three burners on. When the thermocouple reads above 800 °C, switch off the two top burners. Keep the bottom burner running for low burn until the cycle completes or the chamber cools to your setpoint. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #21682778]
Can I control this with a PLC or Arduino?
Yes. A small PLC suits the few inputs and 2–3 outputs and adds timers and interlocks. If you won’t learn PLC programming, contract it out. A discrete transmitter‑relay panel also works if you prefer no code. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #21682780]
What safety and certification should I plan for?
Treat fuel systems as life‑safety. Expect UL/CSA inspections and design using already certified ignition and safety components. This reduces redesign and speeds approval. Add emergency‑stop, door interlocks, and cool‑down logic to mitigate fire and explosion hazards. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #21682781]
Are these Riello Press1G units gas or oil burners?
They are oil burners. One contributor linked the datasheet and installation manual, noting built‑in microprocessor safety and simple shutdown contacts in the diagrams. Plan your panel to interface with those safety contacts. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #21682783]
What electrical specs from the site should I consider first?
Expect 3‑phase 400 V supply to the burner and a 230 V ignition transformer producing about 8 kV (approx. 30 mA secondary). Size control components and isolation accordingly. Keep control power separate from motor circuits to reduce noise. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #21682784]
How should I power the control electronics?
Use a dedicated 24 VDC supply for the transmitter, relays, and indicators. Avoid tapping from high‑noise motor lines. This matches the suggested no‑code architecture and keeps logic stable during burner starts. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #21682779]
What indicators and interlocks are worth adding?
Add burner‑on status lamps, over‑temperature alarm, a cycle timer, and a chamber‑lockout until cool. Include an emergency‑stop and verify failsafe behavior on power loss. These additions mitigate unattended operation risks. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #21682780]
What is a thermocouple transmitter (signal conditioner)?
It converts a thermocouple’s millivolts into a standard signal and can include a limit relay. Here, set the limit to 800 °C to drop out the top‑burners’ relay automatically when temperature is exceeded. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #21682779]
What is a PLC?
A Programmable Logic Controller is an industrial computer for reliable I/O, sequencing, and safety interlocks. In this project, a small PLC can read one thermocouple input (with conditioning) and drive 2–3 outputs with timers and interlocks. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #21682780]
What start‑up and shutdown fan logic should I consider?
Purge with circulation fans for several minutes before ignition and continue fans for several minutes after burner shutdown. This reduces explosion and fire risk. Edge case: skipping purge can allow unburned fuel to ignite violently. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #21682781]
How do I wire a simple two‑stage control without programming?
- Feed a 24 VDC supply to the thermocouple transmitter and relays.
- Route the top‑burners’ coil power through the transmitter’s 800 °C limit contact.
- Wire the bottom burner coil to stay energized during the cycle for low burn.
"Simple enough?" [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #21682779]
Can I run the system with only one thermocouple?
Yes. The thread’s solution assumes a single thermocouple feeding a transmitter with a limit relay. This supports automatic switchover at 800 °C and keeps hardware minimal while remaining serviceable. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #21682779]
What site details affect my final design choices?
Confirm it’s an existing installation, maintained by a service department, and that the old thermostat failed. These constraints favor simple, maintainable hardware and leveraging Press1G’s built‑in safety interfaces. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #21682784]
Any expert advice in one line to remember?
"Natural gas and Propane are DANGEROUS," and oil systems demand similar respect and certified parts. Build safety into every step. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #21682781]