From: no.spam@wanted.com   
      
   On Fri, 09 May 2008 17:21:28 +0000, Espressopithecus (Java Man) wrote:   
      
   > I know very little about electronics (E=IR is about my limit).   
   >   
   > A relay on the control board for my espresso machine switches power to   
   > the 1200W heating element.  Normally, it closes each time power is   
   > called by the thermostat device.  But lately, the relay clicks but   
   > doesn't stay closed.   
   >   
   > I've checked many possible causes and found only one anomaly. Resistance   
   > of the heating element should be ~ 12 ohms, but a check with a digital   
   > multimeter shows it as only ~ 1 ohm.   
   >   
   > Is it likely that the relay is failing to stay closed because the   
   > current drawn by the heating element is too high?   
   >   
   > Thanks,   
   >   
   > Rick   
      
   The resistance of heating elements typically rise as they heat up. Check   
   the resistance of a light bulb. It happens rapidly.   
      
   You may have a defective driver for the relay.   
      
   Al   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)