Jason D Scott

US Patent:

20070125764, Jun 7, 2007

Filed:

Dec 7, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/296745

Inventors:

Ray Knoeppel - Hartland WI, US
Thomas Van Sistine - Menomonee Falls WI, US
Jason Scott - Elkhorn WI, US
David Morris - Racine WI, US

Assignee:

AOS Holding Company - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

H05B 1/02

US Classification:

219497000

Abstract:

A fluid-heating apparatus for heating a fluid and method of operating the same. The fluid-heating apparatus includes a heating element for heating a fluid surrounding the heating element and a control circuit connected to the heating element and connectable to a power source. The control circuit includes a current path from the power source to the heating element back to the power source, a switch connected in the current path, and a current sensor. The method includes initiating a heating state of the fluid-heating apparatus, initiating a non-heating state of the fluid-heating apparatus, applying a voltage to the heating element during the non-heating state, sensing a leakage current of the heating element during the application of the voltage, and determining a degradation of the heating element with the sensed leakage current.