An electric stove regulates temperature through a component called the "temperature control system." This system uses a combination of electrical circuits, sensors, and heating elements to maintain the desired cooking temperature. Here's a simplified explanation of how it works:
Control Knobs or Touch Controls: The user sets the desired cooking temperature using control knobs or touch controls on the stove's control panel. Each burner usually has its own control.
Temperature Sensors: Inside the stove's cooking surface, there are temperature sensors or thermostats. These sensors measure the temperature of the cooking surface and provide feedback to the control system.
Heating Elements: The electric stove has heating elements underneath each cooking surface. These elements are made of conductive materials that heat up when electricity flows through them. There are usually different-sized heating elements to accommodate various cookware sizes.
Power Control Circuit: When the user selects a temperature setting, the control system determines how much power should be delivered to the heating element to reach and maintain the desired temperature. The power control circuit adjusts the electrical current flowing through the heating element accordingly.
Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM): One common method used in electric stove temperature control is Pulse-Width Modulation. The power control circuit rapidly switches the heating element on and off at varying intervals (pulse width). For instance, if the desired temperature is lower, the element is switched on for a shorter time during each cycle. Conversely, if a higher temperature is needed, the element is on for a more extended period during each cycle. This modulation allows the stove to maintain the average power output required for the desired temperature.
Feedback Loop: As the stove operates and the temperature changes during cooking, the temperature sensors continuously monitor the cooking surface's heat. If the actual temperature deviates from the set temperature, the control system adjusts the power supplied to the heating element to bring the cooking surface back to the desired temperature. This feedback loop continues until the desired temperature is consistently maintained.
By regulating the power supplied to the heating elements based on the feedback from the temperature sensors, the electric stove can effectively maintain a steady cooking temperature for the user's convenience and precision in cooking.