Method for operating a sensor for detecting particles in a measuring gas

A method for operating a sensor for detecting particles in a measuring gas, the sensor including a sensor element, the sensor element including at least one electrically insulating element, a first electrode, and a second electrode, the first electrode and the second electrode being situated at the electrically insulating element, the first electrode and the second electrode carrying out a current and/or voltage measurement, the method comprising the following steps:

• operating the sensor in at least one measuring phase, a first voltage being applied to the first electrode and the second electrode during the measuring phase;
• applying a second voltage to the first electrode and the second electrode during a predetermined time period outside the measuring phase, the second voltage being lower than a decomposition voltage for water;
• and
• based on the current and/or voltage measurement, with the second voltage being applied, yielding a value which exceeds a threshold value for an electric current, inferring a presence of water on the sensor element.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium on which is stored a computer program for operating a sensor for detecting particles in a measuring gas, the sensor including a sensor element, the sensor element including at least one electrically insulating element, a first electrode, and a second electrode, the first electrode and the second electrode being situated at the electrically insulating element, the first electrode and the second electrode carrying out a current and/or voltage measurement, the computer-program, when executed by a computer, causing the computer to perform the following steps:

• operating the sensor in at least one measuring phase, a first voltage being applied to the first electrode and the second electrode during the measuring phase;
• applying a second voltage to the first electrode and the second electrode during a predetermined time period outside the measuring phase, the second voltage being lower than a decomposition voltage for water;
• and
• based on the current and/or voltage measurement, with the second voltage being applied, yielding a value which exceeds a threshold value for an electric current, inferring a presence of water on the sensor element.

An electronic memory medium on is stored a computer program for operating a sensor for detecting particles in a measuring gas, the sensor including a sensor element, the sensor element including at least one electrically insulating element, a first electrode, and a second electrode, the first electrode and the second electrode being situated at the electrically insulating element, the first electrode and the second electrode carrying out a current and/or voltage measurement, the computer-program, when executed by a computer, causing the computer to perform the following steps:

• operating the sensor in at least one measuring phase, a first voltage being applied to the first electrode and the second electrode during the measuring phase;
• applying a second voltage to the first electrode and the second electrode during a predetermined time period outside the measuring phase, the second voltage being lower than a decomposition voltage for water;
• and
• based on the current and/or voltage measurement, with the second voltage being applied, yielding a value which exceeds a threshold value for an electric current, inferring a presence of water on the sensor element.

An electronic control unit configured to operate a sensor for detecting particles in a measuring gas, the sensor including a sensor element, the sensor element including at least one electrically insulating element, a first electrode, and a second electrode, the first electrode and the second electrode being situated at the electrically insulating element, the first electrode and the second electrode carrying out a current and/or voltage measurement, the electronic control unit configured to:

• operate the sensor in at least one measuring phase, a first voltage being applied to the first electrode and the second electrode during the measuring phase;
• apply a second voltage to the first electrode and the second electrode during a predetermined time period outside the measuring phase, the second voltage being lower than a decomposition voltage for water;
• and
• based on the current and/or voltage measurement, with the second voltage being applied, yielding a value which exceeds a threshold value for an electric current, infer a presence of water on the sensor element.