Patent ID: 6172343
Filing Date: 2001-01-09
Classification: H05B

Abstract:
A heater having selective power rating, said heater comprising:an electrical connection to a source of electric current;a plurality of heating units; anda plurality of non-selective electrical paths connecting said electrical connection to respective said heating units,wherein at least one said path includes a non-selective electric conductor having an input and an output, said conductor being permanently fixed at said input and said output to said path so that said conductor is in electric communication with said electrical connection,wherein said conductor is in one of two states,a conducting state, in which said conductor is electrically continuous between its said input and its said output, anda nonconducting state, in which said conductor is severed between its said input and its said output,wherein a first said conductor is disposed with respect to said source and a first said heating unit so that said first heating unit operates at a power level that is dependent on said state of said first conductor, andwherein said plurality of heating units are configured with respect to said source to produce one of a plurality of desired power levels depending on said state of said first conductor.