230v water heater element control

I am currently working on a project that requires a controller for a standard 230v water heater element.

I am open to any suggestions on the most economical way to accomplish this as my knowledge in this area is very limited.

Feedback is external to this controller and adjusted only by the operator.

I'm looking for suggestions on everything from the enclosure to the components to use inside of the unit.

Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated.

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JimHarrison
70 posts since
Sep 9, 2011

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May 7, 2013 2:18 PM (in response to Codered2)
230v water heater element control

I think you are saying there is no feedback contolling your element - that is some sort of temerature sensor. The easiest and cleanest way, but probably not the lease expensive, is ti a 230 V variable transformer. See http://www.digikey.com/product-search/en/test-and-measurement/equipment-variable-transformers/2294614?k=variable%20transformer.

There are also a wide veriaty of temperature controllers, such as http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/84874014/84874014-ND/2467105.

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MikeWeed
51 posts since
Oct 21, 2011

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May 8, 2013 3:40 PM (in response to Codered2)
230v water heater element control

A variac is a very expensive option for a water heater, which probably takes 10 amps or more. A better idea is to use a triac with a simple control circuit, which applies ac to the element for a part of each cycle, depending on a pot setting (for example). This is like a light dimmer (for an incandescent light) but at 230vac and much higher current.

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- JimHarrison
  70 posts since
  Sep 9, 2011
  
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  May 8, 2013 7:14 PM (in response to MikeWeed)
  Re: 230v water heater element control
  
  This is absolutly right. I'm assuming it is a water heater element being used for some other, elegant, purpose.
  
  If you have the time disigning a TRIAC control is the way to go.
  
  And here might be just the right thing: http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/STEVAL-IHT004V1/497-9005-ND/2092933
  
  It is a TRIAC eval kit from STMicro. $113. Is it 230V?
  
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  - MikeWeed
    51 posts since
    Oct 21, 2011
    
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    May 9, 2013 9:43 AM (in response to JimHarrison)
    Re: 230v water heater element control
    
    A simple design is shown at www.electroniccircuits.com/electronic-circuits/filament-light-dimmer-circuit. This uses a DB3 diac to trigger a triac. The triac shown has a 4 amp rating, but you should use a 16A or 25A or 40A triac (depending on your heater element resistance) with an 800V rating for a 230vac supply (Digikey lists several triacs that will work). A similar circuit is also shown in the Fairchild data sheet for the DB3. Of course, the incandescent light bulb shown in the circuit is replaced by the heating element.
    
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May 4, 2013 4:24 PM

230v water heater element control

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