Abstract: A process and device for controlling heating of a furnace by means of electrical resistors using switching devices, particularly thyristors, associated with the electrical resistors, and whose operation is to be controlled. The switching devices are controlled in syncopated mode by an industrial computer, a programmable industrial robot or equivalent which performs a set of functions which make it possible to compute the power to be dissipated in the resistors, and control directly the switching devices so as to dissipate the previously coputed power. The invention applies particularly to controlling industrial furnaces and more particularly of glassmaking furnaces, particularly furnaces for heating of glass for the tempering and/or bending of the glass.