Balboa Instruments, Inc.

Stefan Daystrom

David J Cline

Richard A Corrington

Cindy Otto

A control system for a bathing installation which has one or more electrically powered devices. A line voltage service is connected through a GFCI to power the electrically powered devices, the GFCI adapted to interrupt the service upon detection of a ground fault. A trip circuit may induce a ground fault and trip the GFCI in response to a trip signal, thereby disabling application of electrical power to the electrically powered devices. An electronic circuit is responsive to a fault condition for generating the trip signal.

Shutoff system for pool or spa

A control system for bathers includes an electronic controller which controls operation of an electric heater assembly connected in a water flow path for heating water. The heater assembly includes a heater housing and electric heater element. A solid state water temperature sensor apparatus provides electrical temperature signals to the controller indicative of water temperature at separated first and second locations on or within the heater housing. The presence of water in the heater housing is detected electronically, by turning on the heater, and monitoring the temperature sensors for unusual temperature rises or other faults for a period of time thereafter. A solid state water presence sensor apparatus can also be used to determine the presence of water within the heater housing, providing electrical water presence signals to the controller indicative of the presence or absence of a body of water within the heater housing. An independent circuit apparatus is connected to the water temperature sensor apparatus and to a power relay, automatically causing high voltage power to be disconnected from the heater assembly when the water temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature. The independent circuit apparatus requiring a manual reset once the water temperature has dropped below a predetermined level to allow the high voltage power to be reconnected to the heater assembly. The system includes ground continuity detection, ground current detection and ground fault detection circuits.

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Los Angeles, CA, United States of America

Stefan Daystrom