How does an Electric Iron work?

Inside the iron is a heating element set into the soleplate that heats up in accordance with the heat control mechanism. A heat control lever rotates a cam that regulates the opening between the contacts located on the thermostat. A steam valve attached to a vapor chamber located above the heating element opens up when the correct temperature is reached and water enters the chamber and is converted into steam. From there, the water is converted to steam, which exits from the soleplate at the bottom of the iron through the ports. On the top of the iron, a pump draws water from the reservoir and sprays it through the nozzle.