Abstract: A capacitive proximity switch has an electrically conductive sensor surface, which is covered by an electrically non-conductive covering plate and which serves as a part of a capacitor having a capacitance that varies with proximity. The sensor surface is connected to a control input of a semiconductor switch that has a signal input with a clock signal and a signal output. A household appliance is equipped with the capacitive proximity switch. The signal output of the semiconductor switch has an output signal, which follows the clock signal and which has signal portions that are proportional to the capacitance of the capacitor formed with the sensor surface.

Abstract: A capacitive proximity switch has an electrically conductive sensor surface, which is covered by an electrically non-conductive covering plate and which serves as a part of a capacitor with a capacitance that varies with proximity. The proximity switch includes a reference sensor surface for generating a reference signal for determining an actuation state of the proximity switch. Signal portions of the reference signal are proportional to the capacitance of a reference capacitor formed with the reference sensor surface, and the capacitance of the reference capacitor is determined by surrounding conditions of the sensor surface.

Abstract: A capacitive proximity switch includes an electrically conductive sensor area, which is covered by an electrically-insulating cover plate, as part of a capacitor having a capacitance which varies as a result of proximity. An associated evaluation circuit is provided, and an electrically-conducting body, via which the sensor area is connected to the evaluation circuit and which is arranged between the electrically-insulating cover plate and a mount disposed at a distance therefrom. A domestic appliance includes such a proximity switch. At least one electronic component of the evaluation circuit is arranged on the mount such that it protrudes into a cavity, which is surrounded by the electrically conductive body.

Abstract: A capacitive proximity switch has an electrically conductive sensor surface, which is covered by an electrically non-conductive covering plate and which serves as a part of a capacitor with a capacitance that varies with proximity. A household appliance is equipped with a proximity switch of this type. The sensor surface has an active shielding, which is formed by a shielding surface to which a clock signal is applied at the same time as it is applied to the sensor surface.

Abstract: A capacitive proximity switch has an electrically conductive sensor surface, which is covered by an electrically non-conductive covering plate and which serves as a part of a capacitor with a capacitance that varies with proximity. The proximity switch includes a reference sensor surface for generating a reference signal for determining an actuation state of the proximity switch. Signal portions of the reference signal are proportional to the capacitance of a reference capacitor formed with the reference sensor surface, and the capacitance of the reference capacitor is determined by surrounding conditions of the sensor surface.

Abstract: A capacitive proximity switch has an electrically conductive sensor surface, which is covered by an electrically non-conductive covering plate and which serves as a part of a capacitor having a capacitance that varies with proximity. The sensor surface is connected to a control input of a semiconductor switch that has a signal input with a clock signal and a signal output. A household appliance is equipped with the capacitive proximity switch. The signal output of the semiconductor switch has an output signal, which follows the clock signal and which has signal portions that are proportional to the capacitance of the capacitor formed with the sensor surface.

Abstract: A capacitive proximity switch includes an electrically conductive sensor area, which is covered by an electrically-insulating cover plate, as part of a capacitor having a capacitance which varies as a result of proximity. An associated evaluation circuit is provided, and an electrically-conducting body, via which the sensor area is connected to the evaluation circuit and which is arranged between the electrically-insulating cover plate and a mount disposed at a distance therefrom. A domestic appliance includes such a proximity switch. At least one electronic component of the evaluation circuit is arranged on the mount such that it protrudes into a cavity, which is surrounded by the electrically conductive body.

Abstract: A capacitive proximity switch has an electrically conductive sensor surface, which is covered by an electrically non-conductive covering plate and which serves as a part of a capacitor with a capacitance that varies with proximity. A household appliance is equipped with a proximity switch of this type. The sensor surface has an active shielding, which is formed by a shielding surface to which a clock signal is applied at the same time as it is applied to the sensor surface.

Abstract: In a power controller for setting the power of the electrical loads of an electrical appliance, in particular of an electrical cooker, the heating resistance of a load can be connected selectively to the phase voltage of, for example, 230 V or to the line voltage of, for example 400 V. The heating power can be pulsed electromechanically in each switching level, in which case the power pulses which are supplied to the load and are switched on for relatively different times govern the percentage of the heating power. The minimum available heating power of about 2.5 to 3.5% of the maximum heating power is achieved reliably and in the long term in that a lower voltage is applied in the lower power range than in the highest power range.