Warewash machine or other food equipment machine with contactor monitoring system

1 . An apparatus, comprising:

a powered component;

a power line path for delivering power to the powered component;

a contactor for controlling power delivery to the powered component, the contactor including main power contacts connected in the power line path and auxiliary contacts that operate the same as, or opposite to, the main power contacts; and

a monitoring system operatively connected to the auxiliary contacts to monitor an open or closed state of the auxiliary contacts, wherein the monitoring system is configured to identify abnormal contactor operation based upon the open or closed state of the auxiliary contacts;

wherein the auxiliary contacts include a first auxiliary contact and a second auxiliary contact, wherein the monitoring system includes an electrical sensor for detecting one of (i) a voltage condition of the second auxiliary contact or (ii) a current flow condition between the first auxiliary contact and the second auxiliary contact

wherein the monitoring system includes a controller operatively connected to (i) a control input of the contactor for commanding an open state or a closed state of the main power contacts and (ii) the electrical sensor for monitoring the voltage condition or the current flow condition;

wherein the auxiliary contacts operate opposite to the main power contacts, wherein the controller is configured to identify abnormal contactor operation based at least in part upon a failure condition in which the controller is commanding the main power contacts to be open and the voltage condition or the current flow condition indicates that the auxiliary contacts remain open.

2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the monitoring system further comprises a temperature sensor.

3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the electrical sensor is a voltage detector for monitoring a voltage level of the second auxiliary contact, wherein the controller is configured to detect the failure condition if the voltage level of the second auxiliary contact is below a set threshold.

4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the powered component is one of a heating element or a pump or a fan.

5 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is a food equipment device.

6 . A method of operating an apparatus that includes a powered component, a power line path for delivering power to the powered component, and a contactor for controlling power delivery to the powered component, the contactor including main power contacts connected in the power line path and auxiliary contacts that operate the same as, or opposite to, the main power contacts, the method comprising the steps of:

applying a voltage to the first auxiliary contact;

detecting a voltage condition at the second auxiliary contact; and

identifying an abnormal contactor operation based upon at least the voltage condition and a command state of the main power contacts;

wherein:

(1) the first and second auxiliary contacts are configured to operate the same as the main power contacts, and the step of identifying involves the command state of the main power contacts being open and the voltage condition of the second auxiliary contact being below a voltage threshold;

or

(2) the first and second auxiliary contacts are configured to operate opposite to the main power contacts, and the step of identifying involves the command state of the main power contacts being open and the voltage condition of the second auxiliary contact being above a voltage threshold.

7 . The method of claim 6 , further comprising:

upon identification of abnormal contactor operation, initiating a shutdown mode of the apparatus.

8 . An apparatus, comprising:

a powered component;

a power line path for delivering power to the powered component;

a contactor for controlling power delivery to the powered component, the contactor including main power contacts connected in the power line path and auxiliary contacts that operate the same as, or opposite to, the main power contacts; and

a monitoring system operatively connected to the auxiliary contacts to monitor an open or closed state of the auxiliary contacts, wherein the monitoring system is configured to identify abnormal contactor operation based upon the open or closed state of the auxiliary contacts;

wherein the auxiliary contacts include a first auxiliary contact and a second auxiliary contact, wherein the monitoring system includes an electrical sensor for detecting one of (i) a voltage condition of the second auxiliary contact or (ii) a current flow condition between the first auxiliary contact and the second auxiliary contact

wherein the monitoring system includes a controller operatively connected to (i) a control input of the contactor for commanding an open state or a closed state of the main power contacts and (ii) the electrical sensor for monitoring the voltage condition or the current flow condition;

wherein the auxiliary contacts operate the same as the main power contacts, wherein the controller is configured to identify abnormal contactor operation based at least in part upon a failure condition in which the controller is commanding the main power contacts to be open and the voltage condition or the current flow condition indicates that the auxiliary contacts remain open.

9 . The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the electrical sensor is a voltage detector for monitoring a voltage level of the second auxiliary contact, wherein the controller is configured to detect the failure condition if the voltage level of the second auxiliary contact is above a set threshold.