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Title: Energy saving control circuit for hot water heater

Patent ·
OSTI ID:5007148

In combination with a hot water heater having upper and lower electric heating elements having electric circuits and associated upper and lower thermostat switches for opening and closing the electric circuits of the heating elements, an energy saving control circuit is described comprising: (a) an energy saver switch in the electric circuit of the lower heating element operable to open and close the circuit, (b) a normally open full tank relay switch in parallel with the energy saver switch, for opening and closing the circuit of the lower heating element, (c) an electric circuit for the coil of the full tank relay switch, (d) holding circuit means for connecting the electric circuit of the coil to a source of electric potential, to enegerize the coil and close the normally open full tank relay switch and activate the lower heating element, (e) a momentary manual make switch in the holding circuit means for initiating closing of the holding circuit means, and (f) means in the holding circuit means for deactivating the holding circuit means upon opening of the lower thermostat switch, for preventing subsequent activation of the lower heating element except by manual operation of the momentary make switch.

Assignee:
NOV; NOV-88-013241; EDB-88-113618
Patent Number(s):
US 4737615
OSTI ID:
5007148
Resource Relation:
Patent File Date: Filed date 31 Jan 1986
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English