Heating element and process for controlling a heating element, particularly used in a car

The heating body (1) has at least one heater, at least one power device (3) that supplies the heater with power and at least one controler designed to derive a characteristic temperature for the heater. The controller controls the heater power depending on the characteristic temperature and a predefined threshold temperature. The heating device contains at least one resistive heating device. AN Independent claim is also included for the following: a method of controling an inventive device.