Abstract: A control is provided for an electrical appliance having at least one electrical operating device associated with a working area, particularly for an electrical cooking appliance with a heating element and a glass ceramic area as the working area. The control has a power unit for supplying the operating device with electric power, as well as a control unit adapted to the power unit for controlling the latter. The control unit is housed in an operating unit, separate from the electrical appliance and which comprises operating elements and display devices for displaying the operating states of the electrical appliance or the control. For the control-effective connection between the control and power units, there is a coupling device positioned laterally alongside the glass ceramic cooking area and which permits a fitting of the operating unit outside the glass ceramic cooking area in a docking position, where the control unit and power unit are power-effectively connected.

Abstract: The invention provides a control (15) for an electrical appliance (11) with at least one electrical operating device (13) contained in the appliance (11), the control (15) containing at least one power switching device (17). According to the invention the control (15) has a control unit (21) separate from the electrical appliance (11) and which is connected to the latter in wireless, signal-transmitting manner and essentially contains the control and regulating part for the electrical appliance. In this way an operating and control unit (21) separate or separable from the electrical appliance (11) is obtained and which when necessary can be easily inter-changed as a separate part. A basic version of an electrical appliance (11) can be upgraded with different control units (21) to a final appliance with differing operational scope. Preferably the electrical appliance is an electric cooker, particularly a hob.