Abstract: A circuit arrangement for determining a capacitance of a capacitive sensor element (C1) includes a square-wave voltage source (10) which is designed to output a square-wave voltage (UR) at an output connection (11), a sensor branch via which the square-wave voltage is applied to the sensor element, and an amplifier branch including a negative feedback resistor (R1), a transistor (T1) and an evaluation capacitor (C2), the negative feedback resistor, the transistor and the evaluation capacitor being looped-in in series between the output connection of the square-wave voltage source and a reference potential (GND), and a voltage (UOUT), which is a measure of the capacitance of the sensor element, being applied to the evaluation capacitor.

Abstract: A controller for functionally controlling a domestic appliance, such as a dryer, comprises a monitoring device that monitors the correct functioning of the domestic appliance. The domestic appliance has at least one monitoring connection connected to at least one associated evaluation node within a power circuit of the domestic appliance, and an evaluation device evaluates a signal produced at the at least one monitoring connection, for monitoring the correct functioning of the domestic appliance.

Abstract: A detector for a capacitive contact switch comprises a flat material consisting of a transparent carrier foil and a ITO-coating. The ITO coating is embodied in the form of a transparent electric conductor. The flat material can be arranged between a transparent cover and a lighted display in such a way that a sensor element is obtained. The flat material as the sensor element 10 makes it possible to represent an illuminated symbol or the corresponding display thereof.

Abstract: A detctor for a capactive contact switch comprises a flat material consisting of a transparent carrier foil and a ITO-coating. The ITO coating is embodied in the form of a transparent electric conductor. The flat material can be arranged between a transparent cover and a lighted display in such a way that a sensor element is obtained. The flat material as the sensor element 10 makes it possible to represent an illuminated symbol or the corresponding display thereof.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention concerns an electrical household apparatus, for example a washing machine, equipped with a control device in the form of a panel, said panel comprising a display device for providing visual data to the user. Said panel (10) is made of a material which is substantially opaque when it has a normal thickness (14). One area specific to the display device (15) comprises at least one transparency zone (20) wherein the thickness of the panel material is reduced relative to the thickness of the material outside said transparency zone such that light from a light source (16), for example a light-emitting diode, located behind the panel may pass through said transparency zone. Such a configuration provides backlighted panels having a closed surface. In another embodiment, the control device is in the form of a turning knob (70, 80).