From: rickk@letterectomyTELUS.net   
      
   In article , no.spam@wanted.com says...   
   > 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.   
   >   
   Thanks, Al.   
      
   I removed the heating element and checked it again where I can get my   
   multimeter probes on the terminals easily.  It's a dead short, or close   
   to it -- it reads 0.000 ohms.  So I guess we know it's kaput.   
      
   Now, about the relay.  Sorry, I don't know what you mean by a "defective   
   driver" for the relay.  Does that mean the input line to the relay may   
   not be hot, or that some other component on the logic board may not be   
   controlling the relay appropriately? Or?   
      
   Thanks,   
      
   Rick   
      
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