Abstract: A personal-care apparatus comprises a load (LD) and a switch (SW), which load (LD) and which switch (SW) are coupled in series between a first (1) and a second (2) supply terminal for receiving an alternating voltage, the personal-care apparatus further comprising a rectifying circuit (RC) for converting the alternating voltage into a direct voltage, and a safety circuit (SC), which is coupled between a third (3) and a fourth (4) supply terminal for receiving the direct voltage and which comprises a capacitive sensor (CS) for the detection of the presence of a part of a human body in the proximity of the personal-care apparatus, the safety circuit being adapted to control the switch (SW) in response to said detection.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is provided which comprises a housing (100) provided with an electric motor (110) and with an electronic circuit (120) for controlling the electric motor (110), and a suction tube (200) coupled to the housing (100) and comprising a grip (210) with a remote control circuit (220) for controlling the electronic circuit (120), which control circuit (220), in order to provide ease of operation without any disturbances, comprises a capacitive sensor (CS) for detecting the presence of a part of a human body in the proximity of the grip (210), which detection enables the electronic circuit (120) to be controlled by the remote control circuit (220).