The present invention relates to hydrogen production for the generation of energy. Embodiments of the present invention permit a trading partner to offer a customer the ability to schedule installation of cable services on-line. A quantity of the noble metal catalyst supported in the electrode protection layer at the bottom part of the gas sensor element is larger than that in the electrode protection layer at a leg part of the gas sensor. Thus, the control circuit makes the switching power supply circuit operate in a normal state until the output voltage reaches the control voltage. The chip is moved toward the substrate and into the underfill until a solder member coupled to the chip is proximate the conductive pad.