Abstract: An automatic shut-off and indication device for an electric heating appliance is provided which includes: a sensor (2) for sensing usage of the appliance and for providing a usage-signal (US) indicating a non-usage of the appliance; a switch (10) for off-switching a heater (12) of the appliance in response to a switching signal (SS) derived from the usage-signal (US); a sensor (4) for sensing orientation of the appliance and for providing an orientation signal (OS) for indicating different orientations of the appliance; a selector (18) for activating an indicator (22) in response to the switching signal (SS), the indicator (22) signaling the off-switching of the heater (12); and an indication timer (8) for providing a time delay between off-switching the heater (12) and activating the indicator (22), which time delay is dependent on the orientation signal (OS). The shut-off of the heater (12) is signalled to the user by the indicator (22).

Abstract: Steam iron having an electrically heated soleplate (2), a steam generator (6) comprising a water tank (8), a water pump (10) and a steam chamber (12) for supplying steam via steam vents (20) in the soleplate (2). The steam production is made dependent on the temperature of the fabric a fabric temperature sensor (24) embedded in the soleplate (2). A cool fabric triggers the production of steam. The production is stopped as soon as the fabric temperature reaches the condensing temperature of steam. Since no more steam is absorbed in the fabric when the condensing temperature is reached, any more steam production is waste of water and power. In this way any further steam production is prevented and waste of water and power is avoided. After steaming has stopped the fabric temperature sensor (24) can be advantageously used to control the drying power of the soleplate (2) to avoid scorching of the fabric and to avoid waste of power.