Chemical Controller System and Method

A method of monitoring an output relay in a chemical controller, the method comprising:

• detecting a current on an output of at least one output relay using a current sensor;
• outputting a current fault signal from the current sensor, the current fault signal indicative of an occurrence of a current fault condition, wherein the current fault condition comprises a condition where a current exists on the output of the at least one output relay while the at least one output relay is instructed to be deactivated via a corresponding relay enable signal;
• decoupling a relay enable signal from a corresponding relay latch output when the current fault signal indicates the occurrence of a current fault condition and coupling the relay enable signal to the corresponding relay latch output when the current fault signal indicates a current fault condition has not occurred;
• and
• transmitting a signal to a relay drive circuit from the corresponding relay latch output, the relay drive circuit configured to activate and deactivate the at least one output relay based on the received signal.

A chemical control system for an aquatic application, the system comprising:

• a chemical controller, the chemical controller configured to regulate a chemical parameter of the aquatic application;
• a pump, the pump configured to introduce at least one chemical into the aquatic application, wherein the chemical controller controls operation of the pump using an output relay;
• and
• an output relay monitoring circuit, the output relay monitoring circuit comprising:
• a current detection circuit configured to detect a current on an output of the output relay;
• a current fault detection device configured to output a current fault signal when current exists on the output of the output relay while the output relay is instructed to be deactivated via a corresponding relay enable signal;
• a relay latch circuit configured to receive the current fault signal and decouple a relay enable signal from a corresponding relay latch output;
• and
• a relay drive circuit, the relay drive circuit deactivating the output relay when the relay enable signal is decoupled.