Method and device for operating a particle sensor

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and to a device, in particular a control and evaluating unit, for operating a particle sensor () for determining a particle content in a gas flow, wherein the particle sensor () has, on the surface of the particle sensor, a sensor structure for determining a soot load and at least one heating element () separated from the sensor structure by an insulating layer, by means of which at least one heating element the particle sensor () can be heated up in a regeneration phase and in the process a soot load on the particle sensor () can be removed, and by means of the heating element () a heating phase can be performed at least at times before the regeneration phase, wherein in said heating phase a temperature that is significantly lower than the regeneration temperature is set, wherein short-term temperature drops as a result of wetting with water can be detected by means of a temperature sensor () integrated in the particle sensor (). According to the invention, during the heating phase before the regeneration phase, the duration of the heating phase is extended if a temperature deviation from a certain temperature bandwidth around a temperature target value is detected for a certain time. Thus, it can be achieved that the sensor element is always completely dried throughout the sensor element, such that regeneration can be performed at high temperatures without damage as a result of thermal shock to the sensor element.