Abstract: A household appliance and method for determining if an amount of deposition of scale exceeds a reference amount of deposition of scale may include obtaining a start temperature of a heating element, turning on the heating element at first point in time to heat the liquid from the liquid start temperature and simultaneously starting measuring a time interval from the first point in time, monitoring, at a second point in time, a behavior of the measured temperature of the heating element during heating of the liquid in the heating space in order to determine if a boiling temperature of the liquid has been reached, comparing the measured time interval with a reference heating duration and determining if the amount of deposition of scale on the heating element exceeds the reference amount of deposition of scale.

Abstract: A method for removing a deposition of scale on a heating element may include turning on the heating element to heat the liquid in the heating space, determining a first value (Tv1) of temperature of the heating element and/or a first time period (tp1) during heating of the liquid. The method may further include turning off the heating element and turning on the heating element at a second value (Tv2) of temperature of the heating element and reheating the liquid in the heating space until temperature of the heating element reaches a third value (Tv3) related to the first value (Tv1) and/or until a second time period (tp2) related to the first time period (tp1) is reached. A household appliance may also be provided.

Abstract: A household appliance and method for determining if an amount of deposition of scale exceeds a reference amount of deposition of scale may include obtaining a start temperature of a heating element, turning on the heating element at first point in time to heat the liquid from the liquid start temperature and simultaneously starting measuring a time interval from the first point in time, monitoring, at a second point in time, a behavior of the measured temperature of the heating element during heating of the liquid in the heating space in order to determine if a boiling temperature of the liquid has been reached, comparing the measured time interval with a reference heating duration and determining if the amount of deposition of scale on the heating element exceeds the reference amount of deposition of scale.

Abstract: A circuit for driving an inductive load may include an input, an output, a first switch, and at least one capacitor. The first switch may cause the capacitor to be charged by the supply voltage via the inductive load. A device may discontinue the charging of the capacitor when the voltage has reached a predetermined level greater than that of the supply voltage. A first and a second diode may prevent the capacitor from discharging via the first switch and blocking inductive load current from entering the power supply, respectively. A second switch and the capacitor may be connected to the third switch to cause discharging of the capacitor via the third switch into the inductive load. Closing of the first switch may cause a current sufficient for actuating a mechanical valve to be induced in the inductive load.

Abstract: A circuit for driving an inductive load may include an input, an output, a first switch, and at least one capacitor. The first switch may cause the capacitor to be charged by the supply voltage via the inductive load. A device may discontinue the charging of the capacitor when the voltage has reached a predetermined level greater than that of the supply voltage. A first and a second diode may prevent the capacitor from discharging via the first switch and blocking inductive load current from entering the power supply, respectively. A second switch and the capacitor may be connected to the third switch to cause discharging of the capacitor via the third switch into the inductive load. Closing of the first switch may cause a current sufficient for actuating a mechanical valve to be induced in the inductive load.