Abstract: A dishwashing appliance includes a tub defining a wash chamber therein for receipt of articles for washing. A method of operating the dishwashing appliance includes initiating a cycle of the dishwashing appliance. The method also includes, during the cycle of the dishwashing appliance, monitoring audio feedback from a component of the dishwashing appliance using a microphone mounted to the dishwashing appliance outside of the wash chamber.

Abstract: A method of operating a dishwashing appliance includes activating a pump for a predefined self-calibration time by supplying electrical power from a power supply to a motor of the pump. The method also includes monitoring, with the sensor circuit, electrical power between the power supply and the motor while the pump is activated for the predefined self-calibration time. The method further includes determining, based on the monitored electrical power, a motor type of the motor and selecting a set of control parameters corresponding to the determined motor type of the motor. The method also includes activating the pump according to the selected set of control parameters during at least one cycle of the dishwashing appliance.

Abstract: A dishwashing appliance may include a cabinet, a door, and a sensor assembly. The door may extend along the lateral direction between a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge. The door may be rotatably mounted to the cabinet to move about a rotation axis between an open position and a closed position. The sensor assembly may detect a rotational position of the door and include a stationary electrical contact and a movable electrical contact. The stationary electrical contact may be mounted on the cabinet at a first side or a second side. The movable electrical contact may be mounted on the door at the first lateral edge or the second lateral edge. The movable electrical contact may be in selective alignment and electrical connection with the stationary electrical contact based on the rotational position of the door.

Abstract: An appliance, as provided herein, can include a direct current load and a current sensing circuit that can be coupled to the direct current load. The current sensing circuit can be configured to collect electrical data corresponding to the direct current load. The appliance can include one or more processors that can be coupled to the current sensing circuit. The one or more processors can be configured to identify at least one attribute of the direct current load based, at least in part, on the electrical data and activate at least one operation of the direct current load or the appliance based, at least in part, on identification of the at least one attribute of the direct current load.

Abstract: A consumer appliance, as provided herein, may include a cabinet, a user interface attached to the cabinet, a motor mounted within the cabinet, and a control board in electrical communication with the user interface and the motor. The user interface may include one or more connected electrical elements. The control board may be configured to initiate an initial operation. The initial operation may include activating the control board and detecting the one or more connected electrical elements from a predetermined plurality of potential electrical elements. The initial operation may further include selecting an operating personality from a plurality of preset personalities based on detecting the one or more connected electrical elements. The initial operation may still further include directing the motor according to the selected operating personality.

Abstract: Systems and methods of for controlling and appliance are provided. A control system for operating a load of an appliance can be provided. The control system includes a processor and memory device. Memory device is configured to store instructions that when executed by processor cause the processor to perform operations. Operations include determining an operational state of a first load control device, generating a first control signal based on the operational state of the first load control device, determining the operational state of a first load control device enable circuit; generating a second control signal based on the operational state of the first load control device enable circuit; generating a first load control signal based on the first control signal and second control signal; and operating a second load control device based on the first load control signal.

Abstract: An appliance with automatic sensing of printed circuit board (PCB) trace integrity and associated methods of sensing are provided. The appliance may include a controller operative to control operation of the appliance, a load in operative communication with the controller, and a PCB. The PCB may include a first trace supplying AC power to the load, a second trace supplying a return path for the AC power, a third trace supplying an alternate return path for the AC power, and current sensing circuitry. The current sensing circuitry may be configured to sense leakage current between the first trace and the third trace, with the leakage current being indicative of declining trace integrity of the PCB.

Abstract: An appliance with automatic sensing of printed circuit board (PCB) trace integrity and associated methods of sensing are provided. The appliance may include a controller operative to control operation of the appliance, a load in operative communication with the controller, and a PCB. The PCB may include a first trace supplying AC power to the load, a second trace supplying a return path for the AC power, a third trace supplying an alternate return path for the AC power, and current sensing circuitry. The current sensing circuitry may be configured to sense leakage current between the first trace and the third trace, with the leakage current being indicative of declining trace integrity of the PCB.

Abstract: Hot water heater systems and methods for monitoring electronic mixing valves of hot water heater systems are provided. An electronic mixing valve provides a flow of water in a mixed output line. A method includes determining whether an output flow event is occurring, determining a first temperature value for water in the mixed output line when the output flow event is occurring, comparing the first temperature value to a setpoint temperature value to obtain a first temperature error value when the output flow event is occurring, and generating a failure signal when the first temperature error value is outside of a predetermined error range and the output flow event is occurring.

Abstract: One example aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a water heater. The water heater can include a control device configured to control a setting of the water heater. The water heater can include a wireless circuit configured to communicate via a first network. The water heater can include an RJ-45 port. The water heater can include a communication bus. The communication bus can be coupled to the control device, the wireless circuit, and the RJ-45 port.

Abstract: A method for operating a water heater appliance includes determining a temperature, Ttank, of water within a tank of the water heater appliance, a temperature, Tcold, of water at an inlet conduit of the water heater appliance and an actual position, VMPactual, of a mixing valve of the water heater appliance. The method also includes calculating a theoretical position, VMPtheoretical, of the mixing valve of the water heater appliance and establishing a lower flow rate limit for water exiting the water heater appliance and an upper flow rate limit for water exiting the water heater appliance.

Abstract: A heat pump water heater appliance includes a tank that defines an interior volume. A drain pan is positioned below an evaporator of a sealed system. A liquid monitoring sensor has a voltage divider with a pair of probes. The probes of the pair of probes extend into the drain pan. A related method for operating a heat pump water heater appliance is also provided.

Abstract: Water heaters and methods for monitoring anode rod depletion in water heaters are provided. A water heater includes a tank for holding a volume of water, and an anode rod extending into the water and electrically connected to an electrical ground such that a galvanic current flows from the anode rod to the electrical ground. The water heater further includes at least one heating element configured to heat the water when energized, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive a galvanic current level, compare the galvanic current level to a threshold current level, and transmit an alert signal when the galvanic current level is less than the threshold current level.

Abstract: Hot water heater systems and methods for monitoring electronic mixing valves of hot water heater systems are provided. An electronic mixing valve provides a flow of water in a mixed output line. A method includes determining whether an output flow event is occurring, determining a first temperature value for water in the mixed output line when the output flow event is occurring, comparing the first temperature value to a setpoint temperature value to obtain a first temperature error value when the output flow event is occurring, and generating a failure signal when the first temperature error value is outside of a predetermined error range and the output flow event is occurring.

Abstract: A method for determining whether a water heater appliance is operating on a timer switch is provided. The method includes determining a power on time interval between a previous power interruption and a current power interruption if the current power interruption is a long power outage and establishing that the water heater appliance is not operating with a timer switch if the power on time interval is greater than a threshold time interval. A related water heater appliance is also provided.

Abstract: Systems, circuits, and methods for providing operating power to a gas control circuit board are disclosed. A first power source for a gas control circuit board is derived from a utility supplied AC source while a backup supply is provided based on current flowing through an anode rod associated with the water heater as defined by Faraday's Law of Electrolysis. The backup supply based on anode current flow provided operating power for the gas control circuit in case of loss of power from the utility supplied AC source.

Abstract: A method for detecting water draws in a water heater appliance includes establishing a rate of change of temperature measurements of a first set of temperature measurements, establishing a rate of change of temperature measurements of a second set of temperature measurements, and determining that water is flowing through the water heater appliance based at least in part on the rates of change of the temperature measurements of the first and second sets of temperature measurements.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method for controlling the operation of a water heater appliance may generally include receiving a user input associated with a selection of a tank capacity setpoint for the water heater appliance, determining a tank temperature setpoint for water contained within a tank of the water heater appliance based on the user-selected tank capacity setpoint and controlling the operation of the water heater appliance based on the tank temperature setpoint.

Abstract: A method for operating a water heater appliance includes determining a temperature, Ttank, of water within a tank of the water heater appliance, a temperature, Tcold, of water at an inlet conduit of the water heater appliance and an actual position, VMPactual, of a mixing valve of the water heater appliance. The method also includes calculating a theoretical position, VMPtheoretical, of the mixing valve of the water heater appliance and establishing a lower flow rate limit for water exiting the water heater appliance and an upper flow rate limit for water exiting the water heater appliance.

Abstract: A heat pump water heater appliance includes a tank that defines an interior volume. A drain pan is positioned below an evaporator of a sealed system. A liquid monitoring sensor has a voltage divider with a pair of probes. The probes of the pair of probes extend into the drain pan. A related method for operating a heat pump water heater appliance is also provided.