Electrical appliances

A liquid heating vessel with a valve through which liquid and steam can be dispensed, the valve being arranged to close when the vessel is tipped over. The valve may normally be closed when the vessel is upright. The valve has first sealing faces that close when the vessel is upright and second sealing faces which close when the vessel is tipped. The vessel may have a user-actuatable mechanism which can prevent the valve from closing. The valve may be designed to remain open when the vessel is tipped in a predetermined direction. A liquid heating vessel is also described wherein there is a steam outlet separate to the liquid dispensing outlet, wherein the liquid dispensing outlet has a user-actuated mechanism which is biased towards being closed unless opened by the user-actuated mechanism. A liquid vessel having a sensor to sense the level of liquid in the vessel is also disclosed wherein a plurality of capacitor plates are located circumferentially around the liquid vessel such that the measured capacitance indicates the volume of fluid within the vessel. An electrical component being located in an appliance wherein an optical communication means is provided for communication through a seal is also disclosed.