A method of operating an electro-optic sensor, the method comprising: disposing at least a portion of the electro-optic sensor in a liquid chamber; testing, via a timer, for a timeout occurrence associated with the timer, the timer including a timing circuit; if there is a timeout occurrence, then indicating that the electro-optic sensor is not functioning; if there is no timeout occurrence associated with the timer, then: providing light from a light source of the electro-optic sensor at a first intensity; driving a light detector of the electro-optic sensor at a first sensitivity level; receiving, via the light detector, a first amount of light from the light source; determining whether liquid is present in the liquid chamber according to the first amount of light; providing light from the light source at a second intensity; driving the light detector at a second sensitivity level; receiving, via the light detector, a second amount of light from the light source; confirming whether liquid is present in the liquid chamber according to the second amount of light; wherein the first sensitivity level is different from the second sensitivity level; and wherein the electro-optic sensor includes a prism and a reflective optical member, wherein the reflective optical member is arranged to reflect light emitted by the light source to the light detector when a liquid is disposed between the light source and the reflective optical member; wherein the electro-optic sensor includes a photo diode-based sensor, the light source includes an LED, and the timing circuit is configured to cap an amount of energy through a circuit of the electro-optic sensor. disposing at least a portion of the electro-optic sensor in a liquid chamber; testing, via a timer, for a timeout occurrence associated with the timer, the timer including a timing circuit; if there is a timeout occurrence, then indicating that the electro-optic sensor is not functioning; if there is no timeout occurrence associated with the timer, then: providing light from a light source of the electro-optic sensor at a first intensity; driving a light detector of the electro-optic sensor at a first sensitivity level; receiving, via the light detector, a first amount of light from the light source; determining whether liquid is present in the liquid chamber according to the first amount of light; providing light from the light source at a second intensity; driving the light detector at a second sensitivity level; receiving, via the light detector, a second amount of light from the light source; confirming whether liquid is present in the liquid chamber according to the second amount of light; wherein the first sensitivity level is different from the second sensitivity level; and wherein the electro-optic sensor includes a prism and a reflective optical member, wherein the reflective optical member is arranged to reflect light emitted by the light source to the light detector when a liquid is disposed between the light source and the reflective optical member; wherein the electro-optic sensor includes a photo diode-based sensor, the light source includes an LED, and the timing circuit is configured to cap an amount of energy through a circuit of the electro-optic sensor. providing light from a light source of the electro-optic sensor at a first intensity; driving a light detector of the electro-optic sensor at a first sensitivity level; receiving, via the light detector, a first amount of light from the light source; determining whether liquid is present in the liquid chamber according to the first amount of light; providing light from the light source at a second intensity; driving the light detector at a second sensitivity level; receiving, via the light detector, a second amount of light from the light source; confirming whether liquid is present in the liquid chamber according to the second amount of light; wherein the first sensitivity level is different from the second sensitivity level; and wherein the electro-optic sensor includes a prism and a reflective optical member, wherein the reflective optical member is arranged to reflect light emitted by the light source to the light detector when a liquid is disposed between the light source and the reflective optical member; wherein the electro-optic sensor includes a photo diode-based sensor, the light source includes an LED, and the timing circuit is configured to cap an amount of energy through a circuit of the electro-optic sensor.