(1)S接a时,电功率最小,饮水机处于保温状态,S接b时,电功率最大,饮水机处于加热状态.(2)S接b时,发热板的电阻R1= U P1 = (220V)2 550W =88Ω,S接a时,电路电流I= P1′ R1 = 88W 88Ω =1A,因R1、R2串联,所以U=U1+U2即U=IR1+IR2得220V=1A×88Ω+lA×R2所以R2=132Ω.答:电阻R2的阻值为132Ω.