Fault detection method and apparatus for a domestic appliance

A method for controlling a cooking appliance, said cooking appliance including a heating element and an appliance control unit, said appliance control unit having element switch means operatively connected to said heating element for activating and deactivating said heating element, said element switch means having a first power switching device, a second power switching device connected in series with said first power switching device, and detection means for detecting a failure of one of said first and second power switching devices, said detection means operatively connected to said first and second power switching devices, said method comprising the steps of:

• continuously detecting a failure of one of said first and second power switching devices when said element switch means is set to deactivate said heating element;
• and
• disabling said heating element.

An element switch means for activating and deactivating a heating element of a cooking appliance, said element switch means comprising:

• a first power switching device,
• a second power switching device connected in series with said first power switching device, and
• detection means for continuously detecting a failure of one of said first and second power switching devices during the time when said element switch means is set to deactivate said heating element, said detection means being operatively connected to said first and second power switching devices, whereby the detection of a failure of one of said first and second power switching devices causes said element switch means to disable said heating element during the period of such failure.