Method for operating a water-conducting electrical appliance and water-conducting electrical appliance

Abstract

A water-bearing electrical apparatus and a method of operating a water-bearing electrical apparatus having a water absorption element, an electrochemical cell, a dosing device for metering a conductivity transmitter-containing detergent and/or cleaning means into the electrochemical cell. The method includes conducting water into the electrochemical cell, dosing of the conductivity transmitter-containing washing and/or cleaning means into the electrochemical cell or into the water flowing through it, determining a conductance of the fluid in the electrochemical cell following the prior steps, and setting the determined conductance to a predetermined conductance.

1 . A method of operating a water-bearing electrical apparatus having a water absorption element, an electrochemical cell, a dosing device for dosing a conductivity transmitter-containing washing and/or cleaning means into the electrochemical cell, the method comprising:
 a) conducting water into the electrochemical cell;   b) dosing of the conductivity transmitter-containing washing and/or cleaning means into the electrochemical cell or into the water flowing through it;   c) determining a conductance of the fluid in the electrochemical cell following steps a) and b); and   d) setting the determined conductance to a predetermined conductance.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein step d) includes
 comparing the predetermined conductance with the determined conductance; and   conducting water into the electrochemical cell if the determined conductivity is greater than the predetermined conductivity and metering the conductivity transmitter-containing washing and/or cleaning means into the electrochemical cell or into the water flowing through it if the determined conductivity is less than the predetermined conductivity.   
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step includes applying a predetermined voltage to the electrochemical cell, measuring a current flow in the electrochemical cell, and determining the conductance based on the measured current flow. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the electrochemical cell is designed for a working area which is above a conductance present at a water hardness above 14° dH, more preferably above 17° dH, even more preferably above 21° dH. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein, when the determined conductance is equal to the predetermined conductance, the electrochemical cell is put into operation in such a manner that the liquid inside it is heated. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein during and/or after heating the liquid in the electrochemical cell, the liquid is circulated from a first area of the water absorption element through the electrochemical cell to a second area of the water absorption element. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein during heating of the liquid in the electrochemical cell, steps c) and d) are performed. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the conductivity transmitter-containing washing and/or cleaning means contains a conductivity transmitter-containing means that is selected from the group consisting of alkali carrier, inorganic or organic acid, salt of organic acid, phosphonate, surfactant and/or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         9 . A water-bearing electrical apparatus comprising:
 a water absorption element,   an electrochemical cell,   a dosing device configured to dose a conductivity transmitter-containing washing and/or cleaning means into the electrochemical cell,   a control unit configured to perform a method according to any of the preceding claims.   
     
     
         10 . The water-bearing electrical apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the apparatus is a washing machine or dishwasher.