In a temperature controller, the amount that you raise or lower the temperature per minute or hour is called rate. Paragon's controllers measure rate in degrees per hour. To raise the kiln's temperature by 100 degrees in one hour, the rate is 100 degrees per hour.
Instead of degrees per hour, some programs are written as minutes needed to raise or lower the temperature (i.e. raise the temperature from 540 to 675 in 30 minutes). Below are the steps needed to convert minutes to degrees per hour.
Note: A segment has a rate, target temperature, and hold. Step 1) Subtract a heating segment's beginning temperature from the segment's target temperature. (Do the opposite with a cooling segment. Subtract the cooling segment's target temperature from its beginning temperature.)
The segment 1 example shown below is a heating segment. 540 - 26 (room temperature) = 514
Step 2) Multiply the number of minutes needed to reach the segment's target temperature by .0166.
Segment 1 example: 120 x .0166 = 1.99 (rounded off to 2)
Step 3) Divide the number in step 1 by the number in step 2.
Example: 514 divided by 2 = 257
The rate per hour in the segment 1 example = 257 degrees per hour.
**Sample Program, Time in Minutes**
Segment 1) time: 120 minutes; target temperature: 540C
Segment 2) time: 30 minutes; target temperature: 675C
Segment 3) time: 40 minutes; target temperature: 810C
Segment 4) time: as fast as possible; target temperature 516C
Segment 5) time: 60 minutes; target temperature: 427C
Segment 6) time: 30 minutes; target temperature: 371C
**Sample Program Converted to Degrees Per Hour Rate**
Segment 1) rate 257C; target temperature: 540C
Segment 2) rate 270C; target temperature: 675C
Segment 3) rate 204C; target temperature: 810C
Segment 4) rate as fast as possible; target temperature 516C
Segment 5) rate 89C; target temperature: 427C
Segment 6) rate 112C; target temperature: 371C
