JR
Isnt it this way on the 330:
One engine running, low current flow.
Airborne : high current flow,
provided by controllers.
What is the reason to use controllers,
when a simple "current relay" could do it,
like on all "vintage" aircrafts.
There is no "temp-feedback" from the sensors,
so why "controllers"?
Quite possible re: variable current flow for ground vs. air modes on an Airbus.
I can't answer that one way or the other, as my own experience is on Hawkers, Gulfstreams, (older) Boeings and Lears - which either have fully manual control of probe heat - or weight-on-wheels coupled automatic heater on/off. (With manual overide available).
Windscreen heat is another matter - all electrical windscreen heating systems I've encountered do employ variable current controllers regulated by temperature feedback from thermistors embedded in the glass.
If I were a pilot, I think I'd much prefer to have full control of each probe's heater circuit individually (via dedicated switches) rather than a single anti-ice switch controlling multiple probes.
In any case, I leave it to an engineer with Airbus experience to shed light on the specifics of the AUTO mode on that airframe.
JR Barrett