bigstu44 Senior Member Joined: 16 Jan 2008 Posts: 41 Location: UK Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Isomac Zaffiro Grinder: Mazzer Super Jolly
Posted Mon Mar 31, 2008, 9:15am Subject: Should I use silicone covered wire for my PID installation?
I'm just about ready to go with my PID insatallation on an Isomac Zaffiro. On another thread, a poster suggeted that due to the high temperatures inside the machine, silcone sheathed wire should be used as opposed to the standard PVC. The standard PVC is only normally rated to 140 farenheit.
I already have standard wire and also heatproof sleeving-so this would obviously mean that the wire is protected from direct contact with hot parts of the machine. However, the air temp inside may still be getting up toward that 140 limit-so perhaps the combination may not be sufficient and silicone wire would be better.
I have a sneaking suspicion that this may be overkill-however, I just want to play it safe. What do you all think? I'd be particularly interested to hear from those PID'ers who have used standard wire and have seen the internals of their machines after some use.
CoffeeRoastersClub Senior Member Joined: 6 Jul 2005 Posts: 2,666 Location: Connecticut Expertise: Professional
Espresso: Vintage La Pavoni Lever... Grinder: KitchenAid Pro Line Burr... Vac Pot: Vintage Silex Drip: Aeropress, French Press Roaster: "Little Tyke" BBQ Drum,...
Posted Mon Mar 31, 2008, 10:35am Subject: Re: Should I use silicone covered wire for my PID installation?
bigstu44 Said:
I'm just about ready to go with my PID insatallation on an Isomac Zaffiro. On another thread, a poster suggeted that due to the high temperatures inside the machine, silcone sheathed wire should be used as opposed to the standard PVC. The standard PVC is only normally rated to 140 farenheit.
I already have standard wire and also heatproof sleeving-so this would obviously mean that the wire is protected from direct contact with hot parts of the machine. However, the air temp inside may still be getting up toward that 140 limit-so perhaps the combination may not be sufficient and silicone wire would be better.
I have a sneaking suspicion that this may be overkill-however, I just want to play it safe. What do you all think? I'd be particularly interested to hear from those PID'ers who have used standard wire and have seen the internals of their machines after some use.
PVC insulated hookup wire with a temp rating of 105C (221F) is readily available. For a single boiler machine, I believe this is sufficient. PVC insulated wire is used by Rancilio throughout the Silvia.
If for some reason you find it necessary to route your wires in permanent contact with the boiler, then a higher temperature rating might be wise. But I doubt this will be the case.
bigstu44 Senior Member Joined: 16 Jan 2008 Posts: 41 Location: UK Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Isomac Zaffiro Grinder: Mazzer Super Jolly
Posted Mon Mar 31, 2008, 12:20pm Subject: Re: Should I use silicone covered wire for my PID installation?
JGG Said:
If for some reason you find it necessary to route your wires in permanent contact with the boiler, then a higher temperature rating might be wise. But I doubt this will be the case.
Thanks for the speedy responses. Interestingly, I noticed one of the factory installed wires is already in direct contact with the boiler-with no ill effect. I doubt that even the higher rated PVC would stand that for long. That said, I'd imagine that these ratings are built in with a small 'safety cushion'-and the boiler wouldn't get a great deal hotter than 105C. I don't know if Isomac use silicone coated wire but I have my suspicions that they don't. I don't know of any way of telling visually if wire is silicone coated or not.
Posted Mon Mar 31, 2008, 12:27pm Subject: Re: Should I use silicone covered wire for my PID installation?
bigstu44 Said:
Thanks for the speedy responses. Interestingly, I noticed one of the factory installed wires is already in direct contact with the boiler-with no ill effect. I doubt that even the higher rated PVC would stand that for long. That said, I'd imagine that these ratings are built in with a small 'safety cushion'-and the boiler wouldn't get a great deal hotter than 105C.
For comparative purposes, the steam stat is 140°C or 284°F so the Silvias boiler is reaching this temp., & then there is the stats overshoot. The boilers safety stat is rated for cut out @ 165°C/329°F. I've had a 150°C/302°F steam stat in my Rancilio Miss Silvia for a little over 4 years & no wiring problems. {;-)
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