Controller system for pool and/or spa

Abstract

A control system for a pool and spa. Main line voltage is provided through a single line voltage service and a single ground fault circuit interrupter circuit, facilitating a ground fault test and simplifying installation. The control system acts as a power distribution system for controlling the pool and spa equipment, with a circuit board assembly including individual fuse protection devices and switching circuits. A test algorithm is included, wherein the control system is disabled from normal operation if the GFCI test fails. The pool operator manually enters a water fill command, and the controller system automatically opens the fill valve for a predetermined time interval, and then automatically closes the valve. An emergency disconnect switch is mounted near the bathing area, connected by low voltage wiring to the controller system cabinet. The controller system senses the emergency switch closure and disconnects line voltage to the line voltage loads. The emergency switch closure also remotely induces a ground fault, tripping the GFCI. A sensing circuit allows the controller system to sense the presence of the emergency switch system, and issues a warning and prevents normal operation of the pool and spa system if not connected. A gas pressure sensor monitors the natural gas line, and the heater is disabled and a warning given under low pressure conditions. Abnormal filter backpressure triggers a warning when the filter needs service. A temperature sensor has parallel sensing elements in a common housing to provide separate sensing circuits.

1 - 53 . (canceled) 
     
     
         54 . A bathing installation control system, comprising:
 a plurality of electrically powered devices associated with operation of the bathing installation;   a microprocessor-based controller system operatively connected to the plurality of electrically powered devices for controlling the operation of said devices;   a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) circuit;   a line voltage service connected to the controller system and the plurality of electrically powered devices through the GFCI circuit, the GFCI circuit adapted to detect ground faults and interrupt the line voltage service to the controller system and the plurality of electrically powered devices upon detection of a ground fault;   a fault inducing circuit for selectively inducing a ground fault condition between line voltage and ground in response to an electronic command signal;   a circuit actuation system responsive to an error or fault condition, the test circuit actuation system connected to said controller and said fault inducing circuit, the circuit actuation system adapted to actuate the fault inducing circuit to induce a ground fault between line voltage and ground in response to the error or fault condition, thereby tripping the GFCI circuit and disconnecting the line voltage service from said plurality of electrically powered devices and said controller system.   
     
     
         55 . The system of  claim 54 , wherein the circuit actuation system includes a manually operated switch accessible to a user of the bathing installation. 
     
     
         56 . The system of  claim 55 , wherein the error or fault condition includes the condition that the circuit actuation system is not properly installed in said system. 
     
     
         57 . The system of  claim 54 , further comprising a plurality of switches each for selectively connecting one of said plurality of devices to said line voltage, the plurality of switches controlled by said controller system, and wherein the controller system is responsive to the circuit actuation system to command said plurality of switches to disconnect the plurality of devices from said line voltage in the event the circuit actuation system actuates the fault inducing circuit and said GFCI circuit fails to disconnect said line voltage service from said controller system and said plurality of devices. 
     
     
         58 . The system of  claim 57 , wherein said plurality of switches each comprises a relay switch. 
     
     
         59 . The system of  claim 54 , wherein the circuit actuation system includes an algorithm performed by said microprocessor-based controller system and adapted to cause the controller system to generate said electronic command signal in response to an algorithmically-determined fault or error condition. 
     
     
         60 . The system of  claim 59 , wherein said algorithmically-determined fault or error condition includes a decision to conduct a GFCI circuit test. 
     
     
         61 . The system of  claim 54 , wherein the bathing installation is a pool or spa installation. 
     
     
         62 . The system of  claim 54 , wherein the plurality of electrically powered devices includes a water pump for circulating bathing water through a circulating water path, and a bathing water heater.