Abstract: A thermostat, comprising: a metal casing; a snap switch having a snap spring disposed in the casing; a thermal expansion system, having an expansion member which acts on the snap spring, and having a setting element; an insulator arranged between two side parts of the casing, interconnecting the latter and forming one end face of the thermostat, and having fixed electrical contacts projecting therethrough; and, a contact bridge arranged on the snap spring, but electrically insulated therefrom, the contact bridge being engageable with the fixed contacts.

Abstract: A control instrument is provided for electric cooker plates. The instrument comprises an adjustable quantizing power control instrument having an expansion element with an electric heating element and a time switch member for increasing the power adjusted on the power control instrument for a period in the initial cooking phase. The time switch member comprises an electronic counter timing member and at least one divider which, via an electronic switch element, reduces the power supplied to the heating element in a predetermined division ratio.

Abstract: A power controller for controlling the intermittent supply of current to a load, such as a cooker hotplate, has a pivotally mounted snap switch controlled by a heated bimetal member which is heated in dependence upon the connected power. A compensating bimetal strip, for taking ambient temperature into account, is arranged on the snap switch and parallel thereto. A control cam acts on the free end of the compensating bimetal strip. The latter is shielded from the heat of the heated bimetal member.

Abstract: An electrical switch comprising a housing, and spring supported in the housing. The spring is made from resilient, flat material and carries a contact at each end thereof, each contact being adapted to engage a respective counter-contact carried by the housing. Two spring tongues are formed on the spring and are supported on support bearings under stress so that a contact can be snapped out of engagement with the corresponding counter-contact upon actuation of an actuating member which engages the spring. Preferably the actuating member is temperature-sensitive or is connected to a temperature-sensitive member so that the switch may be used as a temperature-sensitive switching element, thermal relay or thermostat.