A touch sensor device for a household appliance or the like is disclosed, for producing a signal for controlling the appliance's operation when touched by a user's finger. The sensor comprises a capacitance sensor element connected to control circuitry, wherein the sensor is connected to a first side of a circuit board, typically facing towards the inside of the appliance. In the same vicinity on the other side of the circuit board is a conductive field that is not galvanically connected to the sensor element, but which is positioned against a non-conductive panel, the other side of which forms the exterior of the appliance. The exterior surface of the panel is a touch area, so that contact by a user's finger in the touch area alters the capacitance, which is detected by the capacitance sensor element and is detected by the control circuitry for controlling the appliance.