Abstract: Provided herein is a system, apparatus, and method for producing refractory products, and more particularly, to producing heated refractories, passive refractories, transition plates, moldable refractories, and accessories such as heated spouts, heated pins, thimbles, and dams. A heated refractory channel as disclosed herein may include a working surface to contain molten metal within the channel; a core adjacent to the working surface; one or more heating elements disposed within the core; and insulation, where the core is disposed between the working surface and the insulation. The one or more heating elements may be molded into the core. The heating elements may be electrical resistance heating elements.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus are provided for electrically shielding heated components, and more particularly, to electrically shielding electrically heated components in such a way as to be compatible with GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) protected circuits. Examples include an electrically shielded heated component including: a conductor, where the conductor is a heating element connected between a power line and a neutral line of a circuit from a GFCI; and a shield proximate the conductor and connected to the GFCI, where the shield receives a portion of current from the conductor and returns the portion of the current received to the GFCI.

Abstract: Provided herein is a system, apparatus, and method for producing refractory products, and more particularly, to producing heated refractories, passive refractories, transition plates, moldable refractories, and accessories such as heated spouts, heated pins, thimbles, and dams. A heated refractory channel as disclosed herein may include a working surface to contain molten metal within the channel; a core adjacent to the working surface; one or more heating elements disposed within the core; and insulation, where the core is disposed between the working surface and the insulation. The one or more heating elements may be molded into the core. The heating elements may be electrical resistance heating elements.