Low water protector

A protection circuit for use with a heated water device having a heated water reservoir defining a chamber therein, a water heater coupled to said reservoir for heating water retained therein, said water heater being positioned in a lower section of said reservoir, and a control circuit coupled to said water heater, said protection circuit comprising:

• a conductivity detector coupled to said reservoir for detecting a desired level of water in said reservoir;
• a conductive sleeve of said conductivity detector extending downwardly into an upper portion of said reservoir and being vertically spaced away from said water heater, said sleeve being thermally conductive and electrically conductive for electrical conduction through water disposed in said chamber of said reservoir when said water contacts said sleeve;
• a temperature sensor positioned in said conductive sleeve for sensing the temperature of said water retained in said chamber of said reservoir,
• a conductive sensor of said conductivity detector positioned at a spaced apart location relative to said conductive sleeve;
• and
• a conductivity detector circuit, said conductive sleeve and said conductive sensor being coupled to said conductivity detector circuit, said conductivity circuit including a relay coupled to said temperature sensor for automatically controlling said water heater by opening or closing the circuit of said temperature sensor for preventing said temperature sensor from sensing a selected condition and thereby preventing the operation of said water heater.