VARIABLE WATTAGE CONTROL SYSTEM

摘要

A variable wattage control system (10) is disclosed for providing varying wattage levels for a power-receiving device (16). The power-receiving device (16) is operatively associated with a sensing means (18) that communicates with a temperature controller (14) for comparing the sensed temperature with a predetermined set point. If the sensed temperature falls outside the set point, the temperature controller (14) directs a power control means (12) to turn on the power-receiving device (16) at a specific wattage level. The system (10) may include a micro-controller (23) contained in either the temperature controller (14), power controller (12) or a separate module (24) which determines a power output scaling factor based on the percentage of the full line voltage being applied to the power-receiving device and then scaling the power output. The power output scaling factor determines the maximum percentage power to be applied to the power-receiving device such that a single device may be driven at different power levels for various applications.