Heater controller and method for operating a heater controller

摘要

The present invention provides a heater controller (100) for supervising a heating element (155) the heater controller (100) having a power connection port (105, 110) for connecting the heater controller (100) with a power source, the power connection port (105, 110) having an input contact (105) and an output contact (110). Furthermore, the heater controller (100) has a heating element connection port (130, 135) for connecting the heater controller (100) with at least one heating element (155), the heating element connection port (130, 135) having a first (130) and a second (135) connection contact. Additionally the heater controller comprises a first switching element (125) being connected between the input contact (105) and the first contact (130) of the heating element connection port, the first switching element (125) being configured for switching power signals having a voltage of at least 100 V. Furthermore the heater controller (100) has a serial connection (140), comprising a second switching element (145) and a current sensor (150), the serial connection (140) being connected between the second contact (135) of the heating element connection port and the output contact (110), the current sensor (150) being configured for providing a current signal representing a current through the current sensor (150). The heater controller (100) comprises furthermore a control element (160) being connected to the first (125) and second (145) switching element as well as the to the current sensor (150), the control element (160) being configured for providing a first control signal to the first switching element (125) to switch first switching element (125) in an on-state or in an off-state, wherein the control element (160) being furthermore configured for receiving the current signal from the current sensor (150) and for providing a second control signal to the second switching element (145) to disconnect an electrical connection between the second connection contact (135) and the output contact (110) in the case the current signal indicates a current through the current sensor (150) while the first switching element (125) is controlled to be in the off-state.