System for output power control on electric heater drive

An electric heater control system for controlling output power to a plurality of heater elements in an electric heater system, comprising:

• means for receiving a power request;
• means for determining at least one heater element to be pulse width modulation (PWM) controlled;
• means for determining at least one other heater element to be constant ON/OFF controlled;
• means for selectively controlling the output power to one or more of the determined heater elements to meet the power request;
• and
• means for changing output power control for at least one heater element from PWM controlled to constant ON/OFF controlled after a predetermined time period.

A system for controlling output power to a plurality of heater elements in an electric heater system, comprising:

• a memory including program code that performs an operation process when executed, the operation process including:
• receiving a power request including a requested power value;
• determining a first set of the heater elements to operate in a constant ON mode based on the power value;
• determining a second set of the heater elements to operate in a PWM controlled mode;
• and
• providing power to the first and second sets of heater elements based on the power value and a predetermined algorithm;
• and
• a microcontroller executing the program code to control power to the heater elements.