System and method for control of electric water heater

A water heater receiving electrical power from an electrical grid, the water heater comprising:

• a heating element;
• a relay configured to provide power to the heating element;
• a controller coupled to a temperature sensor, the controller configured to
• receive temperature signals from a temperature sensor,
• receive electrical grid information;
• send an activation signal to the relay based on the temperature signals, and output control signals to a control circuit based on the received electrical grid information;
• and
• the control circuit coupled between the relay and the heating element, the control circuit including
• an energizing terminal coupled to the heating element to provide driving power to the heating element through the relay,
• a heat sink positioned in a lower portion of the water heater,
• an electronic switching device mounted to the heat sink, and
• a microprocessor coupled to the energizing terminal, the control circuit configured to
• receive the control signals from the controller, and
• selectively energize the heating element, through the energizing terminal, based on the control signals.