Systems and methods for controlling a heater based on a differential current

A control system for controlling a heater, the control system comprising:

• a power regulator circuit configured to provide an adjustable power to the heater;
• and
• a controller configured to:
• obtain a power conductor current of the heater and a neutral conductor current of the heater;
• determine a differential current based on a difference between the power conductor current and the neutral conductor current;
• determine whether the differential current of the heater is greater than a threshold differential current;
• and
• selectively perform a corrective action in response to the differential current being greater than the threshold differential current.

A method for controlling a heater comprising:

• determining a differential current of a heater based on a difference between a power conductor current of the heater and a neutral conductor current of the heater;
• determining whether the differential current of the heater is greater than a threshold differential current;
• and
• selectively performing a corrective action in response to the differential current being greater than the threshold differential current.

A method for controlling a heater comprising:

• obtaining a power conductor current of the heater and a neutral conductor current of the heater;
• determining a differential current of a heater based on a difference between the power conductor current and the neutral conductor current;
• determining whether the differential current of the heater is greater than a threshold differential current;
• and
• selectively performing a corrective action in response to the differential current being greater than the threshold differential current.

A method for controlling a heater comprising:

• determining a differential current of the heater based on a difference between a power conductor current of the heater and a neutral conductor current of the heater;
• determining an operational power level based on the power conductor current, an operation setpoint, and a power control routine;
• determining a bake-out power level based on the differential current, a differential current threshold, and a moisture control routine;
• determining whether the operational power level is less than the bake-out power level;
• providing, as a power output level, the operational power level to the heater in response to the operational power level being less than the bake-out power level;
• and
• providing, as the power output level, the bake-out power level to the heater in response to the operational power level being greater than the bake-out power level.

A method for controlling a heater comprising:

• determining a differential current of the heater based on a difference between a power conductor current of the heater and a neutral conductor current of the heater;
• determining an operational power level based on the power conductor current, an operation setpoint, and an operation control routine;
• determining a bake-out power level based on the differential current, a differential current threshold, and a moisture control routine;
• determining whether the operational power level is less than the bake-out power level;
• controlling a power regulator circuit to provide, as a power output level, the operational power level to the heater in response to the operational power level being less than the bake-out power level;
• and
• controlling the power regulator circuit to provide, as the power output level, the bake-out power level to the heater in response to the operational power level being greater than the bake-out power level.