Abstract: A method and system for fabricating electrical heating devices employing positive temperature coefficient (PTC) thermistor as heating elements which includes: assembling the heating devices with PTC thermistor heating elements preselected according to electrical resistance, applying pressure across the interface between the PTC heating elements and the radiator plates of the heating devices during their assembly, and exposing the heating devices for extended periods of time to both ambient and operational temperatures. The method of fabrication further includes continuously monitoring the electrical resistance of the heating devices and holding their electrical resistance stable by adjusting the pressure applied across the interface between the PTC heating elements and the radiator plates.

Abstract: A fluid vaporizing device useful for vaporizing fluid into an aerosol and includes first and second capillary tubes connected electrically in series by providing separate electrodes at the inlet ends of each capillary tube, and connecting the outlet ends of the capillary tubes by an electrical connection that connects the outlet ends both electrically and thermally. The capillary tubes are heated by the flow of electricity therethrough, and liquid flowing through the tubes is vaporized. The outlet ends of the capillary tubes are easily maintained at a temperature for optimizing aerosol generation since there is minimal heat loss through the connection connecting the outlet ends.

Abstract: When controlling operation of heaters or coolers provided in a plurality of thermal control objects, the priority for turning on the heaters or the coolers set based on temperature and speed of temperature response of the thermal control objects is used to turn on a heater or cooler with higher priority and turn off a heater or cooler with lower priority, such that the sum of energy required for operating the heaters and the coolers does not exceed a predetermined value. Consequently, it is possible to reduce the peak energy (maximum energy) generated when a plurality of heaters and coolers are simultaneously turned on, thereby decreasing an affect on an energy supply system.

Abstract: A heater effectively uses a current controlled fan motor in series with a resistance heating arrangement. The fan motor preferably is wound with a gauge of wire to appropriate for the relatively high current provided to the fan motor. This arrangement is effectively used to adjust the fan speed to match the heat output when the heating arrangement has variable heat output. More desirable operating characteristics are achieved without increasing costs and fan motor manufacturing savings are realized. The portable heater preferably produces heat at different outputs and the current used to power the resistance heating arrangement is used to power the fan motor.

Abstract: A substantially constant load impedance electrical heater has been provided. The heater is comprised of two sections, a first heater and a second heater. The first heater is continuously “on” to provide the bulk of the heat. A second heater is selectively engaged to provide slightly more heat to the medium, heating the medium to the desired temperature. The output temperature of the heated medium is maintained by controlling the duty cycle of the second heater. More drastic changes in temperature are accomplished by changing the power continuously dissipated by the first heater. The greatest heating control is obtained by defining the first and second heaters as subsets from a bank of selectable heater elements. A method of minimizing fluctuations in the loading of a high-wattage electrical device is also provided.

Abstract: The oven includes a lower electrical heating element which is located below a support member. Two laterally spaced apart upper electrical heating elements are supported above the support member and the food to be cooked. An electrical system is provided for supplying electrical power to the lower electrical heating element and to the two upper electrical heating elements. A controller is provided for controlling electrical power applied to the lower heating element and to the two upper electrical heating elements. By way of a thermocouple, the controller senses the temperature in the oven and controls the lower heating element to maintain a set point temperature, i.e. 550° F., in the oven. When any of the upper heating elements is activated, and is in a broiling sequence the controller disables these upper heating elements if the temperature in the oven rises above an upper temperature level of i.e. 585° F.

Abstract: A semiconductor processing system and method. The system includes an assembly of radiant energy sources and a programmable switch array configured to selectively deliver power to each radiant energy source based on a plurality of control signals. The method includes measuring the temperature at a plurality of regions on a substrate and controlling a plurality of radiant energy sources to correct any non-radial temperature discontinuities.

Abstract: An oven and a method for controlling the ambient temperature in an oven comprising a baking cavity that is preheated with respect to a user-selected temperature set point. The baking cavity can include a rack for supporting a pan that conceptually divides the cavity into an upper heating region and a lower heating region. A broil heating element and corresponding broil temperature sensor are disposed in the upper heating region of the baking cavity. A bake heating element and corresponding bake heating sensor are disposed in the lower heating region of the baking cavity. A controlled is provided to control the activation of the broil and bake heating elements in response to the sensed temperature of the upper and lower heating regions to maintain the entire oven at a temperature substantially equal to a target temperature set point, which is determined based on the user-selected temperature set point.

Abstract: In a radiant energy heating system having one or more types of radiant energy heating sub-systems, a control system comprising a solid state electronic control panel pre-programmed to control two or more of the types of radiant heating sub-systems, wherein the control panel controls one or more of the types of sub-systems.

Abstract: A temperature and flow rate controlled capillary aerosol generator includes two heating zones optionally separated by a region in which a pressure drop is induced. Power is metered or applied to the downstream, second zone to achieve a target resistance, and therefore a target temperature, while power is metered or applied to the upstream, first zone to achieve a target mass flow rate exiting the second zone. A target temperature is achieved in the second zone to generate an aerosol from the liquid flowing through the generator at the desired mass flow rate.

Abstract: The present invention is a system that automatically controls the selection, start-up and operation of primary and secondary heating towers chosen from an array of heating towers having varying physical and thermal sizes. The automatic control is implemented via a programmable logic controllers (PLC). The PLC provides independent control for each heating tower irrespective of the tower being a primary or secondary heating source. Should the demand for heated water upon the primary heating tower increase to a rate that the primary tower cannot satisfy, the PLC maintains the operation of the primary tower and at the same time starts the secondary heating tower to meet the increased hot water demand. Once the demand has dropped to rates that the primary heating tower can once again maintain, the secondary tower is disabled.

Abstract: A semiconductor producing apparatus is capable of quickly and accurately changing a controlled variable to a target value to thereby make the controlled variable quickly follow the target value. Moreover, the controlled variable and target value can be adjusted automatically, thus improving the productivity of a process. The semiconductor producing apparatus includes a PID adjustment section to which a target value and a detected control value are inputted through an adder, a pattern generation section having an approximate function for calculating a pattern output and making it possible to change the pattern output in accordance wit parameter values of the approximate function, and a switcher for switching between an output including at least an output of the pattern generation section and an output of the PID adjustment section to thereby generate an output.

Abstract: This invention is a method of determining set temperature trajectories for a heat treatment system that conducts a first heat treatment process and a second heat treatment process to an object to be processed. The method comprises the steps of: conducting the first heat treatment process to a first test object to be processed, by using a temporary first set temperature trajectory; measuring a result of the first heat treatment process produced on the first test object to be processed; and determining a first set temperature trajectory for the first heat treatment process by correcting the temporary first set temperature trajectory on the basis of the measured result of the first heat treatment process.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing substantially uniform substrate temperature in a chemical vapor deposition reaction chamber is provided. The method and apparatus utilize a carrier for holding at least one substrate in the reaction chamber and a plurality of heating elements arranged to heat the carrier and the at least one substrate. At least one substrate pyrometer measures the temperature of the substrates to provide a signal representing the process temperature. This signal is used in a feedback loop to control one or more of the heating elements. At least two carrier pyrometers focused at different zones of the carrier are provided. The signals from the carrier pyrometers are compared to one another to provide an indication of temperature non-uniformity. This indication is used in a separate feedback loop to adjust other heating elements so as to maintain temperature uniformity across the carrier.

Abstract: A range burner surface heater system includes an input selector, a control, a surface heating unit, and a pair of low cost relay switches. The input selector is connected to the control, and the switches are responsive to the control. The surface heating unit is located between the low cost relay switches, with each relay switch connected to a separate power line. The relay switches are alternately opened and closed to energize the surface heating unit singly and in combination. At lower power levels, the switches are operated at current levels of one half the rated current of each switch to extend the life of the switches.

Abstract: A water heater having a water tight tank (10) with a cold water inlet (14) and a hot water outlet (16). First and second heating elements (24, 26) are mounted in the upper and lower portions of the tank (10). A controller is provided for energizing element (24) to heat water in the upper portion of tank (10) until the temperature of the water in the upper portion of tank (10) reaches a preset temperature, at which time, the element (24) will be de-energized. The controller is adapted to energize element (26) when element (24) is de-energized. The controller is further adapted to de-energize element (26) and at the same time energize element (24) when the temperature of the water in the lower portion of the tank reaches a preset temperature.

Abstract: An evaporation device is disclosed for evaporating volatile substances such as insecticides and aromatics of a type having a housing containing a heating block with a heating element, a container for a volatile substance to be evaporated, a wick having a wick end protruding out of the container into a wick opening in the heating block, a switching device for the activation and deactivation of the heating device, and an adjusting device for the adjustment of the degree of evaporation. Preferably, two heating elements with different heating capacity are carried by the heating block. The heating elements are operatively connected to the switching device to adjust the heat output of the heating device and the degree of evaporation of the volatile substance.

Abstract: A water heater having a water tank and multiple electric resistance heating elements extending into the water tank for heating water in the tank. The water heater includes a proportional band temperature controller for conducting electric power to the electric resistance heating elements in bursts. Each burst of electric power is followed by a period during which the temperature controller does not conduct power to the electric resistance heating element. In one embodiment, each burst of electrical power lasts for about 95% or less of a cycle comprised of one burst of electric power followed by the period during which the temperature controller does not conduct electric power. Further, activation of the heating elements by the controller is carried out in a sequential or other timed or controlled fashion to permit uniform heating of the water in the tank.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a system and method for the control of the temperature of an article, particularly in a vacuum. The system is applicable to control of reticle temperature in a electron beam or ion beam lithography system. The system includes non-contacting radiation heat sources to selectively apply localized radiant heat to achieve and maintain temperature uniformity across the reticle. The method generally includes applying initial heat once after the reticle is initially loaded into the lithography system from an external environment, applying exposure heat when other reticles are being exposed and applying heat during the wafer load cycle when a new wafer is loaded and the electron or ion beam is blanked. The operating temperature of the reticle is uniformly maintained at a temperature slightly above the ambient temperature. The temperature uniformly of the reticle is important for fabricating defect-free wafers, resulting in high yields.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a water heater which includes a water container; an element located to heat water in the water container; a sensor located to sense temperature proximate the element; and a controller connected to the element and the sensor, the controller being programmed to energize the element with at least one electrical pulse over a predetermined time interval, comparing temperature information received from the sensor with a predetermined temperature, and disengaging the element in the event that the temperature received from the sensor is greater than a predetermined temperature for the predetermined time interval.

Abstract: An ampoule incubator and light analyzer is provided which includes a housing having at least one receptacle for an ampoule, an incubation system, a light analysis system, and a master control system. According to the invention, the incubation system includes, for each receptacle, a heating element which heats the ampoule and a temperature sensor which senses the temperature of the ampoule. Each receptacle is preferably insulated to prevent unintended heating of neighboring receptacles of the apparatus. The incubation system is adapted to quickly heat the receptacle, and consequently the ampoule provided therein, up to the desired temperature. The incubation system is calibrated by soaking the circuits of the control system in a controlled temperature environment maintained at the desired operation temperature for analysis of the ampoules.

Abstract: A temperature and flow rate controlled capillary aerosol generator includes two heating zones optionally separated by a region in which a pressure drop is induced. Power is metered or applied to the downstream, second zone to achieve a target resistance, and therefore a target temperature, while power is metered or applied to the upstream, first zone to achieve a target mass flow rate exiting the second zone. A target temperature is achieved in the second zone to generate an aerosol from the liquid flowing through the generator at the desired mass flow rate.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlling heaters in an automated biological apparatus are provided. The heating system has a conversion buffer in between the desired temperature generator and the heating controller. The heating controller is in communication with a slide temperature sensor, which provides feedback to the heating controller, and a heater. Because the slide temperature sensor may inaccurately reflect the actual temperature on the slide, the heating controller may inaccurately heat the slide to an undesired temperature. Thus, the conversion buffer compensates for potential inaccuracies of the heating controller. The desired temperature generator sends the “desired temperature” for the slide to the conversion buffer. The conversion buffer converts the “desired temperature” to an “adjusted temperature” and sends it to the heating controller. The heating controller then controls the heater based upon the “adjusted temperature” and the heating sensor.

Abstract: A cycle control system for use with a boiler having a fluid therein and a method of monitoring a boiler to determine the presence of an adequate level of fluid therein. The cycle control system includes a timing circuit producing a burner control signal having alternating on and off states corresponding to on and off period timers to allow foam to settle so that a probe can accurately check the fluid level in the boiler. A burner monitor circuit monitors when a demand controller turns the burner on and off responsive to demand. The on-period timer is reset whenever the burner monitor circuit indicates the demand control circuit has turned off the burner for a length of time sufficient for the probe to accurately check the fluid level.

Abstract: An improved water heater for use in spas, hot tubs, pools, hydrotherapy pools, bath tubs, and similar bodies of water used indoors, outdoors, or both indoors and outdoors are used for both therapeutic and recreational purposes. The water heater uses heating element technology know as thick film on substrate comprising resistive elements bonded to the outer dry surface of a pipe to heat the pipe which in turn heats the water flowing therethrough. The heater is highly efficient due to the direct contact of the wet heating surface with the water and provides a smooth seamless inner heating surface by eliminating the need to pass electrical leads into the wet region of the heater. This virtually eliminates the risk of leaks in the water heater due to bulkhead fittings. The invention further eliminates the need for a heating element to be contained in the inner wet region of a spa heater, thereby reducing the risk of corrosion.

Abstract: A heating device of the present invention includes a main power source and an auxiliary power source implemented by a chargeable capacitor. A heater is made up of a main heating element that heats when supplied with power from the main power source and an auxiliary heating element that heat when supplied with power from the auxiliary power source. A charger charges the capacitor of the auxiliary power source when supplied with power from the main power source. A switch selectively causes the auxiliary power source to be charged or to feed power to the auxiliary heating element. A controller adjusts the power to be fed from the auxiliary power source to the auxiliary heating element.

Abstract: A nonlinear model-based predictive temperature control system is described for use in thermal process reactors. A multivariable temperature response is predicted using a nonlinear parameterized model of a thermal process reactor. The nonlinear parameterized model is implemented using a neural network. Predictions are made in an auto-regressive moving average fashion with a receding prediction horizon. Model predictions are incorporated into a control law for estimating the optimum future control strategy. The high-speed, predictive nature of the controller renders it advantageous in multivariable rapid thermal processing reactors where fast response and high temperature uniformity are needed.

Abstract: The oven includes a housing and a support member located in the housing for supporting food to be cooked. A lower electrical heating element is located below the support member. Two laterally spaced apart upper electrical heating elements are supported above the support member and the food to be cooked. An electrical system is provided for supplying electrical power to the lower electrical heating element and to the two upper electrical heating elements. A control unit is provided for controlling electrical power applied to the lower heating element and to the two upper electrical heating elements to allow electrical power to be applied to each of the two upper electrical heating elements simultaneous or separately. The control unit includes a controller in which is stored a plurality of menus with each menu being assigned given cooking time and power level parameters for controlling electrical power to the upper heating elements for operating these heating elements either separately or together.

Abstract: A cooking appliance including a cooktop incorporates a plurality of control element arrays for regulating spaced heating zones, a downdraft venting system that includes a grill provided on the cooktop, and a timing device. In accordance with the most preferred form of the invention, electronic control components are utilized and openings are formed in a ceramic-based face plate portion of the cooktop to accommodate mounting of the electronic control components generally flush with an exposed surface of the face plate portion.

Abstract: There is provided a batch type heat treatment system, control method and heat treatment method capable of appropriately coping with a multi-product small-lot production.

Abstract: An infrared device for prewarming water is provided with a cassette having a predetermined length of tubing connectable at an inlet to a watrer source and an inlet connected to a device for dispensing hot water. An infrared energy-generating sheet is positioned in the cassette on or adjacent to the tubing or passage. The infrared energy sheet includes a fiberglass support grid, a layer formed on support matrix from a mixture of carbon and polymeric materials capable of producing infrared radiation in response to electrical current passed there through. A pair of electrical conduction power strips are attached along opposite sides of the matrix layer and are attached to input power terminals to provide the required current. The entire cassette may be held together with a glue or may be otherwise bonded or molded into a unit for convenient handling.

Abstract: An improved system and method for controlling the temperature of a resistance heater in a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (“HVAC”) system is disclosed. The control circuit and method includes three separate thermostats per heater leg and are designed to trip at three, sequential pre-selected temperatures to address certain issues associated with prior art designs for thermal overload protection. One of the thermostats is of an automatically resettable type wherein the remaining two are of a “one-shot” design and will remain open until there is human intervention.

Abstract: A circuit for controlling the temperature of a thin film conductive heater includes a control circuit for applying a voltage to the heater. The control circuit regulates the temperature of the heater element by using a modeling technique which assumes that the thin film coating functions as a single electrical resistor.

Abstract: A control system includes a variety of structures including a steam table having a reservoir with heating elements, a water level temperature probe, a safety lower temperature probe, upper overflow probes for use in filling, lower safety probes, and normal water level probes; a thermal cabinet, ice machine and other thermal devices. The controller utilizes at least one of relay shaking, probe movement checking, probe feedback checking, disappearing equipment, water working system, air flow factoring, best verifiable logic, pulse cooling, AC energy sensor analysis, cooling potential sensor analysis and pulse heating to keep the heating elements at a more even temperature during the heating process and reduce extreme thermal cycling. In addition, the system can locate intermittent problems and display the problems to workers or management, or to a central controller to initiate action in advance to repair the problem before it causes a breakdown in the equipment.

Abstract: An electric water heater has upper and lower electric resistance type heating elements respectively controlled by a single pole, double throw upper thermostat and a single pole, single throw lower thermostat. The upper and lower thermostats are operatively interconnected by a wiring harness having outer wire end portions that may be connected in various orientations to the terminal block portion of an external junction box to provide the water heater with a variety of heating element operating modes without having to replace either of the thermostats or vary the wiring harness interconnections therebetween. The water heater may thus be advantageously manufactured in a single variant that may be easily and quickly modified in the field to selectively alter the heating element control mode of the water heater.

Abstract: A water heater of the invention includes a water container; an element located to heat water in the water container; a sensor located to sense temperature; and a controller, the controller monitors the sensed temperature at termination of a defined time interval and compares the sensed temperature against a predetermined temperature, with the controller further identifying the element as defective when the sensed temperature is less than the predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A single-point temperature control system is used with a multi-section furnace to control the exit temperature of a metal workpiece discharged from the furnace. The furnace consists of at least first, second and third sections. The temperature is sensed at the single temperature set point in the second section and compared with a desired set point temperature. The power to the second section is adjusted in order to maintain the desired set point temperature so that the metal workpiece exits the furnace at the required temperature.

Abstract: A temperature control system (20, 22, 24) is provided for a plasma processing device (10). The plasma processing device (10) comprises a plasma generator (14) and a processing chamber (52) in communication with the plasma generator (14) such that plasma within the generator may pass into the chamber and react with the surface of a substrate (18) residing therein. The temperature control system (20, 22, 24) comprises (i) a radiant heater assembly (20) for heating the substrate (18), comprising a plurality of radiant heating elements (58) arranged in a plurality of zones (a-n), each zone comprising at least one heating element, and a focused reflector (56) for focusing radiant energy from the heating elements toward the substrate; (ii) a feedback mechanism (24) for providing a substrate temperature feedback signal (25); and (iii) a controller (22), including a P-I-D closed loop controller (80) and a lamp power controller (90).

Abstract: A cooking appliance includes a control system which is programmable to enable multiple, successive cooking operations to be performed in sequence, with an alphanumeric display being provided to convey information concerning the successive cooking operations, such as the amount of time until the start of a subsequent cooking operation while an initial cooking operation is proceeding. Furthermore, the control system can be used to alter factory established set-up parameters such that the appliance can be conveniently customized by the consumer.

Abstract: The invention provides a device (11) for switching an electric heater (12) with at least two heating areas (25, 27, 29), which can be variably supplied with electric power by at least one power setter (22) and having control means (19) for the at least one power setter (22, 23) and with functionally separate switching means (14, 16) for operating the at least one power setter. On operating a first switching means (14), a heating area (27) associated therewith can be set by means of a power setter via the control means and on operating a further switching means (16) a heating area (29) associated therewith is settable by means of a power setter. Preferably, precisely one heating area (27, 29) is associated with each switching means (14, 16). The heating areas can be areally extensive heating zones or different power levels of a heater.

Abstract: An improved system, method and apparatus for control of an instantaneous flow-through fluid heater system is disclosed. The control incorporates a logic control method providing modulation of power in small steps to a plurality of heating elements retaining responsiveness to closed-loop control needs without inducing light flicker. Further, the life of the coils of heating circuit electromechanical relays are extended by energizing the coils with a pulse-width-modulated drive decreasing in duty cycle and thus the latent coil heat when an increase in mains voltage is sensed. The life of the contacts of same relays are extended by inhibiting heating element triac drive immediately upon sensing loss of relay coil power, such as by an over temperature limit switch opening, thus ensuring that relay contacts open with zero heating element current.

Abstract: A cooking range with an acoustic sensing system for determining the boil state of the contents of a cooking utensil. The acoustic sensing system, which includes at least one acoustic sensor, is positioned on or in the cooking appliance to detect acoustic emissions in one or more specific ranges of frequencies that are characteristic of emissions resulting from the heating and boiling of liquids in a variety of cooking utensils or vessels.

Abstract: Use of PTC circuit protection devices in motor vehicle wiring systems. The devices can replace some or all of the fuses conventionally used. Preferred devices contain PTC conductive polymers. Because the PTC devices can be reset without physical access to them, the wiring system can be arranged more efficiently and more economically. For example, the size of at least some of the wires of the harness can in many case be reduced.

Abstract: A gas cooking appliance includes upper and lower gas burner units, as well as an upper electric heating element, which is configured and mounted in an enhanced operational manner, within an oven cavity. A control system is provided to control the electric heating element based on the operation of at least one of the upper and lower gas burner units. For instance, during a baking mode of operation, the electric heating element is cycled on and off while the lower burner unit is in a full operating state. In a broiling mode, both the upper gas burner unit and the electric heating element are activated in order to create a substantially uniform temperature within the oven cavity. During a cleaning mode of operation, the electric heating element is used to pre-heat the oven cavity at a controlled rate prior to operation of the lower burner unit.

Abstract: A temperature control system for a thermal reactor is disclosed that addresses many of the problems in the art. In accordance with one aspect of the disclosed control system, a plurality of temperature controllers are employed. Each temperature controller employs one or more dynamic models that are optimized for a given temperature range. The temperature range over which a particular controller is optimized is preferably generally exclusive of the temperature ranges over which other controllers of the plurality of temperature controllers are optimized. In accordance with another aspect of the control system, the control system employs enhanced ramp trajectory logic. In accordance with another aspect of the control system, the control system employs a virtual temperature sensor in the event of a hardware failure of the corresponding non-virtual temperature sensor.

Abstract: A nonlinear model-based predictive temperature control system is described for use in thermal process reactors. A multivariable temperature response is predicted using a nonlinear parameterized model of a thermal process reactor. The nonlinear parameterized model is implemented using a neural network. Predictions are made in an auto-regressive moving average fashion with a receding prediction horizon. Model predictions are incorporated into a control law for estimating the optimum future control strategy. The high-speed, predictive nature of the controller renders it advantageous in multivariable rapid thermal processing reactors where fast response and high temperature uniformity are needed.

Abstract: A rapid thermal processing system for large area substrates, such as glass panels for flat panel displays, includes a processing chamber, a transport assembly for transporting a substrate through the processing chamber, and a heating assembly for heating the substrate. The heating assembly includes a bank of elongated heating elements disposed in the processing chamber. The heating elements have longitudinal axes aligned with the substrate transport direction. In one embodiment, heating elements on one side of the substrate have longitudinal axes aligned perpendicular to the substrate transport direction and heating elements on the opposite side of the substrate have longitudinal axes aligned parallel to the substrate transport direction.

Abstract: A heating/cooling apparatus for electronic components of a wireless base station is described. The apparatus includes a heat exchanger having a material-filled chamber and a plurality of extrusions. The chamber is located adjacent to the electronic components. A heater is provided within the chamber. The material within the chamber, which is preferably a liquid, serves to conduct heat from the electronic components to the extrusions. The heater serves to heat the material within the chamber, which in turn conducts that heat to the electronic components, when heat is required to maintain operation of the components with prescribed parameters.

Abstract: A control system for a glass touch cooktop includes a control panel including a plurality of touch control areas with touch toggle controls that correspond to a plurality of surface heater elements, and a toggle lock control that disables the touch controls areas when activated. The toggle lock control is separated from the touch control, identified with a conspicuous icon, and includes an integral indicator to readily alert a user that the system is locked. Graphical icons and integral indicators are incorporated into touch controls for user-friendly operation of the heating elements.

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.